How many first aiders do you need? Use our free calculator to work out the first aid cover your workplace, school or nursery needs under HSE guidance, what we would recommend on top, and the training that gets you there. It takes about two minutes.
Built by the clinician-led team at Essex Medical Training, based in Battlesbridge and training organisations across Essex, Southend and Thurrock.
The quick answer: HSE first aider ratios
HSE guidance L74, First aid at work, suggests the following minimum cover. Your own first aid needs assessment should then add cover for shifts, holidays, split sites, specific hazards and anyone else on site, such as visitors, customers or pupils.
| Type of workplace | Number of people | Suggested minimum first aid cover |
|---|---|---|
| Lower hazard offices, shops, libraries |
Fewer than 25 | At least one appointed person |
| 25 to 50 | At least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) | |
| More than 50 | At least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work (FAW) for every 100 people, or part thereof | |
| Higher hazard warehousing, manufacturing, construction, food processing, chemicals |
Fewer than 5 | At least one appointed person |
| 5 to 50 | At least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW, depending on the injuries that could happen | |
| More than 50 | At least one FAW first aider for every 50 people, or part thereof |
Source: Health and Safety Executive, L74 First aid at work: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, Guidance on Regulations. These are suggested numbers, not fixed legal minimums.
First aid needs assessment calculator
Step 1Your sites and people
Split the workplace into areas if parts carry different risks, sit on different floors or run different activities. Count employees and anyone else regularly present, such as visitors, patients, pupils or customers.
Do any of your staff
Step 2Risks in each area
Lower hazard means offices, shops, libraries and similar. Higher hazard means warehousing, manufacturing, food processing, construction, dangerous machinery or chemicals.
Step 3Your first aid needs
What we recommend
Your training plan
Training six or more people? One fixed fee covers up to 12 learners at your site anywhere in Essex, Southend and Thurrock, with the trainer, kit, books and certificates included. See our on-site group prices. All prices exclude VAT.
Based on HSE guidance L74. This is a starting point for your own needs assessment, not a substitute for it. First aid certificates last three years, and HSE strongly recommends a short refresher every year in between.
Step 4Get your report and a price
We will email you a copy of these results for your records, and come back within one working day with a price for training your team.
What is a first aid needs assessment?
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, every employer must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and people. To decide what is adequate for your business, you carry out a first aid needs assessment. It looks at how many people are on site, the hazards of the work, your history of accidents, shift patterns, split sites, lone and remote workers, how far you are from emergency services, and anyone else who uses your premises.
The calculator above follows the same steps. Keep the result with your health and safety records and review it whenever your workforce, premises or activities change.
Appointed person, EFAW or FAW: what is the difference?
An appointed person takes charge when someone is ill or injured, looks after the first aid kit and calls the emergency services. They are not a trained first aider. An Emergency First Aid at Work first aider completes a one-day course covering CPR, defibrillators, choking, bleeding, shock and seizures. A First Aid at Work first aider completes a three-day course that adds fractures, spinal and head injuries, burns, poisoning, eye injuries and medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart attack and stroke.
Schools, nurseries and childminders
Early years settings must follow the EYFS requirement that at least one person with a current Paediatric First Aid certificate is on the premises and available at all times when children are present, and goes on outings. Since 1 September 2026, schools in England must also provide allergy awareness training for every member of staff under the statutory guidance known as Benedict’s Law.
Shifts, holidays and sickness
HSE ratios assume a first aider is always available. If you run shifts or have people on leave, you need enough trained staff to cover every shift and every absence. Most employers train at least one more person than the minimum.
Refresher training
FAW and EFAW certificates are valid for three years. The FAW requalification course renews a First Aid at Work certificate before it expires, and HSE strongly recommends an annual refresher in between to keep skills sharp.
First aid training in Essex, delivered by clinicians
Essex Medical Training runs regulated first aid training in Essex at our Battlesbridge training centre and on site at workplaces, schools and nurseries across Chelmsford, Southend, Basildon, Colchester, Thurrock and the rest of the county. Every course is led by practising healthcare professionals, with a maximum of 12 learners per trainer. Book a place on a public first aid course, or bring the training to your team with a fixed-price on-site group course.
Frequently asked questions
How many first aiders do I need for 50 employees?
In a lower hazard workplace such as an office, HSE suggests at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work for 25 to 50 people. In a higher hazard workplace, you need at least one EFAW or FAW first aider, depending on the injuries that could happen. Add extra trained staff to cover shifts, holidays and sickness.
Is a first aid needs assessment a legal requirement?
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate first aid. HSE guidance says you should carry out a needs assessment to decide what is adequate for your workplace, and keep it under review.
Do I need to count visitors and customers?
The regulations cover employees, but HSE strongly recommends including members of the public, visitors, pupils and patients in your assessment. Schools, shops, leisure venues and care settings usually need more cover because of this.
How long does a first aid certificate last?
First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work certificates last three years. Paediatric First Aid certificates also last three years. HSE strongly recommends an annual refresher in between.
Can you deliver first aid training at our workplace in Essex?
Yes. We deliver on-site courses anywhere in Essex, Southend and Thurrock for one fixed fee covering up to 12 learners, including the trainer, equipment, books and certificates.
Need first aid training for your team?
Tell us how many people need training and when suits you, and we will confirm dates and a price.
