How many first aiders you need will depend on the level of risks involved in your workplace, the significant areas of your work environment and how many staff you or your company employ. Your company will need at least one appointed person, or in larger, higher staffed offices a first aider.

Appointed Person

An appointed person is an employee chosen to take responsibility of accidents, illness or the calling of ambulances to the workplace. They are required to keep the first aid kit fully stocked but should not attempt first aid unless they have been properly trained. Courses can be taken to deal with emergency situations if you or your appointed person wishes to be qualified.

First Aider

To become a first aider you will need to have succesfully completed a training course in administering first aid. First aiders should hold a valid certificate. Training should be sought from organistations approved by the Health and Safety Executive HSE

How many First Aiders Should the Office Have?

The number of first aiders you need is decided by the category of risk your company falls into and how many employees you have working for you. The categories are divided into low, medium and high risk.

Lower Risk

Shops, offices and libraries are among the lower risk class of work environments.

In a low risk work environment with fewer than 50 employees you will need to have at least 1 appointed person.

Low risk workplaces with 50-100 employees will require a qualified first aider.

Low risk workplaces with more than 100 will require an additional first aider for every 100 people employed.

Medium Risk

Medium risk workplaces are places such as light engineering and assembly work, food processing and warehouse work

Medium risk environments with fewer than 20 people will need at least 1 appointed person.

Medium risk environments with 20-100 employees will require at least 1 appointed first aider for every 50 employees.

Medium risk environments with more than 100 personnel will require an additional first aider for every 100 employed.

Higher Risk

Workplaces such as construction sites, slaughter houses, chemical manufacturers or any workplace with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments are classed as Higher Risk work environments

In a higher risk work environment there needs to be at least 1 appointed person for companies with fewer than 5 employees.

High risk work environments with 5-50 employees will need at least one first aider.

Companies with over 50 employees that are classed as high risk work environments will need an additional first aider for every 50 people employed.

Get your first aid kit from Openhouse, we can supply them in almost any sizes and carry case/bag.