How Many First Aiders Does My Workplace Need? (UK Guide)
Updated 6 October 2026 · 3 min read · Amber Training
Reviewed for accuracy by a qualified Amber Training first aid trainer.
There is no single legal number of first aiders every business must have. Instead, UK law requires you to provide first aid cover that is adequate and appropriate for your workplace. Here is how to work out what that means for you.
Start with a first aid needs assessment
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require every employer to assess their first aid needs. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests considering:
- The nature of the work and the hazards present
- The size of the workforce and how it is spread across sites or floors
- Your accident history
- Shift patterns, lone workers and remote sites
- How close you are to emergency medical services
HSE suggested starting points
The HSE provides broad guidance to help you start. As a rough guide:
Low-hazard workplaces (for example offices, shops):
- Fewer than 25 employees: at least one appointed person
- 25 to 50 employees: at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work
- More than 50 employees: at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 100 employees (or part of 100)
Higher-hazard workplaces (for example light engineering, warehousing, construction):
- Fewer than 5 employees: at least one appointed person
- 5 to 50 employees: at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work, depending on the type of injuries that may occur
- More than 50 employees: at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 50 employees (or part of 50)
These are HSE's suggested numbers (from its guidance L74, Appendix 3) for people available at all times people are at work. They are starting points, not strict rules, and your own assessment may justify more.
Our free first aid needs calculator works through these numbers for your own workplace, including shifts, floors and absence cover, and prints a record of your assessment.
Do not forget cover for absence
Whatever number you settle on, plan for holidays, sickness and shift changes. A single first aider is not enough if they are the only one and they are off. Many London employers train two or more people so cover never lapses.
Appointed person vs trained first aider
An appointed person takes charge in an emergency and looks after first aid equipment, but is not a trained first aider. In the lowest-risk, smallest workplaces this may be acceptable. Most workplaces benefit from at least one properly trained first aider holding an Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work certificate.
Getting your team trained
If your assessment points to either course, we run both regularly anywhere in England, and we can deliver on-site group training at your own premises, which is often the most cost-effective option for teams.
Explore the Emergency First Aid at Work course and the First Aid at Work course, or contact us for a group quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many first aiders does my workplace need?
There is no fixed legal number. UK law requires cover that is adequate and appropriate, decided by a first aid needs assessment that weighs your hazards, headcount, work patterns and site layout. As a starting point, HSE guidance suggests a low-risk workplace needs at least an appointed person below 25 employees, at least one Emergency First Aid at Work first aider from 25 to 50, and at least one First Aid at Work first aider for every 100 employees above 50. Higher-risk workplaces need more.
What is a first aid needs assessment?
An assessment, required by the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, in which you review your workplace hazards, number of employees, shift patterns and site spread to decide how many first aiders you need and at what level (Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work).
How many first aiders does a low-risk office need?
HSE guidance suggests a low-risk workplace such as an office needs at least an appointed person below 25 employees, at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work from 25 to 50 employees, and at least one First Aid at Work first aider for every 100 employees above that. Many offices train first aiders even below 25 staff, and cover must allow for shifts, floors and absences.
What is an appointed person in first aid?
An appointed person takes charge of first aid arrangements, looks after the first aid kit and calls the emergency services. They do not need first aid training. HSE suggests an appointed person may be enough for low-risk workplaces with fewer than 25 staff or higher-risk workplaces with fewer than 5, but most employers are better protected with at least one trained first aider.
How many first aiders are recommended for a high-risk workplace?
As an HSE starting point, higher-hazard workplaces with 5 to 50 staff should have at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work depending on the risks, and those with more than 50 staff at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 50 employees, plus cover for absence.
Book first aid training at your workplace
Amber Training delivers accredited workplace first aid courses at your premises, anywhere in England. Based in London.