Published September 2026. This guidance replaces the previous version published November 2024 and Guidance on First Aid at Work which was published in March 2014.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less than five employees and also include the self-employed. Further guidance can be found in First aid at work: Guidance on regulations (I74: 2013) and First aid at work (INDG214: 2014).

What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. The working arrangements will indicate whether trained first aiders are needed, what should be included in a first-aid kit and if a first-aid room is required. Employers should carry out a needs (risk) assessment to determine what provisions are appropriate.