The legal obligation

Employers have an obligation under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and Approved Code of Practice (ACOP L74) to make adequate and appropriate first aid provision for their workforce.

It is recommended that someone is able to undertake first aid duties at all times when people are at work.

Please note the first aid regulations will change with effect from 1 October 2009. See our comprehensive set of questions and answers for information about how these changes will affect your obligations.

Risk assessment

Each employer should carry out its own risk assessment to establish what level of first aid cover it requires at each location.

Guide to the number of first aiders required from the Approved Code of Practice