How to complete your First Aid Needs Assessment

Updated October 2025

How many First Aiders do you need? 

The better question is: “How many First Aiders do we need to keep everyone safe?” A First Aid Needs Assessment doesn’t need to be complex and ensures your workplace is ready to respond to illness or injury – legally and practically.

Why It Matters

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require all workplaces to assess first aid needs and provide the following:

  • Trained personnel to provide immediate help
  • Adequate equipment (First Aid kits)
  • Appropriate facilities

Did you know?

  • Severe bleeding can be fatal within 90 seconds
  • A person who stops breathing can die in under 3 minutes

What “Adequate and Appropriate” Means

  • More than just kits – trained personnel must be available at all times
  • Coverage across shifts – including absences, leave, and remote workers
  • Provision must match your hazards, workforce, and workplace layout. Hazards and risks can be both physical and related to mental health.

💡 A single First Aider isn’t enough if they’re absent (out for lunch, on the loo…) or are one of the people requiring First Aid.

What trained personnel means?

The HSE states that where First Aiders are provided, they need:

  • to have undertaken suitable training
  • have an appropriate first-aid qualification
  • to remain competent to perform their role

This means the type of first aid course taken should match your working environment. There may be more appropriate courses than Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and First Aid at Work (FAW) to choose from. Check out our blog to help you choose the right first aid course for your needs and you can book courses here!

Steps to Conduct a First Aid Needs Assessment

1. Identify Workplace Hazards & Risks

High-risk environments need more First Aiders with higher-level training than low-risk offices.

2. Understand Your Workforce

Consider:

  • Age, experience, health conditions, disabilities
  • Needs of remote or lone workers

3. Review Past Incidents

Look at your history of accidents and illnesses to tailor training and coverage.

4. Consider Organisation Size & Distribution

  • Multiple locations? Multiple floors?
  • More employees usually means more First Aiders

5. Plan for Shifts & Absences

  • Ensure coverage during all shifts
  • Account for annual leave, sickness, or temporary absence

6. Assess Site Remoteness

  • Far from emergency services?
  • Consider extra training, equipment, or emergency transport plans

7. Include Non-Employees

  • Visitors, clients, or customers may require assistance
  • The HSE recommends considering everyone on-site

Refresher Training

  • Most First Aid certificates are valid for 3 years
  • The HSE strongly recommends annual refresher training (half-day)

📝 Regular refreshers keep First Aiders confident and effective in emergencies.

Quick Checklist for Your Assessment

✅ Identify hazards & risks
✅ Understand workforce characteristics
✅ Review past incidents
✅ Determine number of First Aiders & training levels
✅ Plan for absences, shifts, and remote workers
✅ Include visitors & non-employees
✅ Ensure equipment & facilities are adequate

Need Help?

Carrying out a First Aid Needs Assessment doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Life Saving Training, we’re here to help, just get in touch!