First Aid at Work Compliance Check

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require every UK employer to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and trained people so employees can receive immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work. The starting point is a documented first aid needs assessment, which looks at your workplace hazards, the number and type of staff, remote or lone workers, shift patterns and how far you are from emergency services. The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance (L74) explains that most low-risk workplaces need at least a suitably stocked first aid kit and an appointed person to take charge, while larger or higher-risk sites need trained first aiders holding a valid certificate. Failing to provide adequate first aid is an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and unlimited fines and, in serious cases, prosecution of directors can follow if someone is hurt and help was not available. Common gaps include first aid certificates that have lapsed (they last three years, and HSE recommends annual refresher training), no cover for holidays, night shifts or part-time workers, out-of-date kit contents, and not including visitors, contractors or members of the public in the assessment. Employers must also keep an accident book and report certain incidents under RIDDOR, so first aid planning, record keeping and data protection need to work together.

Use this free tool to check whether your first aid arrangements meet the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Get a plain-English report on needs assessment, trained first aiders, kit and record-keeping gaps.