If you’re responsible for health and safety in your business, you may have asked yourself: how many first aiders does my business need?
The answer depends on your workplace.
There isn’t one number that is suitable for every business. Your first aid arrangements should take into account the type of work you carry out, the risks involved, the number of employees and how your workplace operates.
Having appropriately trained first aiders available is an important part of making sure your employees can receive help quickly if someone becomes ill or is injured at work.
A first aid needs assessment can help you identify what your business requires and whether you have enough trained people to provide effective cover.
At 1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy, we provide workplace first aid training for businesses and organisations across the Midlands and throughout the UK.
Here’s what you should consider when deciding how many first aiders your business needs.
Why does your business need trained first aiders?
First aid arrangements need to work in practice.
If someone is injured or becomes unwell at work, having a trained person available to respond can make a real difference while further medical assistance is arranged.
It’s therefore important to consider whether your business has suitable first aid cover throughout the working day.
For example, relying on one first aider may not provide enough cover if they are regularly away from the workplace, work different hours from other employees or are unavailable due to holidays or sickness.
The aim should be to make sure appropriately trained people are available when and where they may be needed.
What is a first aid needs assessment?
A first aid needs assessment looks at your workplace and helps you decide what first aid arrangements are appropriate for your business.
It considers the circumstances and risks of your organisation rather than simply applying the same number of first aiders to every workplace.
Your assessment may consider:
- The number of employees
- The type of work being carried out
- Workplace hazards and risks
- The size and layout of the premises
- Working hours and shift patterns
- Holidays and staff absences
- Lone or remote workers
- Multiple sites or locations
- The distance from emergency medical services
- Previous accidents or incidents
Looking at these factors can help you identify whether your current first aid arrangements provide appropriate cover.
If you’re also looking at how employees can gain the right qualification, our guide on how to get a first aid certificate explains the process and the different types of workplace first aid training available.
How many first aiders does a business need?
The number of first aiders your business needs depends on your individual circumstances.
Two businesses with a similar number of employees could have very different requirements.
For example, an office-based business where employees work together during standard hours may have different first aid arrangements from a warehouse operating multiple shifts.
Likewise, a business with employees working across several locations needs to consider how first aid cover will be provided at each site.
The key question shouldn’t simply be “How many employees do we have?”
Instead, consider whether you have enough appropriately trained people available to provide effective first aid cover when it is needed.
Does the size of your workforce matter?
Yes. The number of employees is an important factor when reviewing your first aid provision.
As your workforce grows, you may need additional trained first aiders to maintain suitable cover.
However, employee numbers are only one part of the assessment.
You should also consider where employees work, their working hours and what happens when trained first aiders are unavailable.
A business with 30 employees working together in one location may organise its first aid provision differently from a business with 30 employees spread across several sites.
What if your business has different shifts?
If your business operates different shifts, you should consider whether appropriate first aid cover is available throughout those working hours.
Having several trained first aiders doesn’t necessarily provide effective cover if they all work the same shift.
For example, if your business operates during the day and evening, you should consider what first aid arrangements are available outside normal daytime hours.
The same applies to businesses operating weekends or extended hours.
Your first aid provision should reflect the way your business actually operates.
Do holidays and staff absences need to be considered?
Yes.
Your usual first aider may not always be available.
Holidays, sickness, training days and other absences can all affect your level of first aid cover.
If your business relies heavily on one or two people, there could be periods where suitable cover isn’t available.
Having additional trained employees can provide greater resilience and help maintain appropriate first aid arrangements when staff are absent.
Does the type of work affect first aid requirements?
The risks associated with your work are another important consideration.
Different workplaces can present very different hazards.
Construction, manufacturing, engineering and warehouse environments, for example, may involve risks that are different from those found in a typical office.
Potential hazards could include:
- Machinery and equipment
- Manual handling
- Working at height
- Hazardous substances
- Cuts and other injuries
- Burns
- Workplace transport
- Slips and falls
Your first aid needs assessment should consider the risks specific to your workplace and help determine the level of training and provision that is appropriate.
What first aid training do your employees need?
Once you’ve considered your workplace requirements, you’ll need to look at the appropriate level of training.
Two common workplace courses are Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work.
Emergency First Aid at Work
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) provides essential emergency first aid skills for workplaces where this level of training is appropriate.
The course covers practical skills including CPR, recovery position, choking, bleeding and shock, alongside responding to a range of common medical emergencies.
First Aid at Work
First Aid at Work (FAW) is a more comprehensive workplace qualification.
It covers a wider range of injuries and illnesses and provides more extensive first aid training.
The appropriate course will depend on the needs and risks of your workplace.
When should you review your first aid arrangements?
Your first aid provision should reflect your current workplace.
It’s therefore important to review your arrangements when there are significant changes to your business.
This could include:
- Taking on more employees
- Moving to larger premises
- Opening another site
- Introducing new equipment or processes
- Changing working hours or shifts
- Changes to workplace risks
- Trained first aiders leaving the business
- Accidents or incidents highlighting potential gaps
Regularly reviewing your arrangements helps make sure your first aid provision continues to meet the needs of your business.
How many first aiders does my business need?
There isn’t one number that applies to every business.
The right level of first aid provision depends on your workplace, employees, working patterns and the risks associated with the work you carry out.
A first aid needs assessment can help you understand your requirements and identify whether you have enough trained people available to provide effective cover.
The goal is to make sure your employees have access to appropriate first aid support when they need it.
Make Sure Your Team Has the Right First Aid Training
At 1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy, we provide a range of workplace first aid courses for businesses and organisations.
From Emergency First Aid at Work to First Aid at Work, we can help you put appropriate training in place for your team and workplace.
Whether you’re reviewing your current first aid arrangements, training additional employees or setting up provision for a new workplace, our team can help you find the right training solution.
Get in touch with 1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy to discuss your first aid training requirements and make sure your team has the appropriate training in place.
