First Aider Cover Calculator
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate first-aid personnel. This tool calculates the minimum from HSE L74 (2020 edition) Appendix 1 based on your workforce size and hazard level.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many first aiders do I need on a construction site?
- For high-risk workplaces like construction sites, HSE L74 (2020 edition) Appendix 1 recommends at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work (FAW) for every 50 workers. For sites with fewer than 5 workers, an appointed person is sufficient. Between 5 and 50 workers, at least one person trained in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or FAW is required.
- What is the difference between FAW and EFAW?
- First Aid at Work (FAW) is a three-day course covering a wide range of injuries and illnesses. Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a one-day course covering life-threatening conditions only. High-risk workplaces such as construction sites should have FAW-trained first aiders. EFAW is adequate for lower-risk environments like offices.
- What does an appointed person do?
- An appointed person is someone designated to take charge of first-aid arrangements on site. They are not a trained first aider — their role is to call emergency services, look after the first-aid equipment, and ensure an injured person receives help. An appointed person is the minimum provision for any workplace.
- Do I need additional first aiders for shift work?
- Yes. HSE L74 states that first-aid provision must be available at all times when people are at work. If the site operates multiple shifts, each shift must have adequate first-aid cover. The minimum numbers from Appendix 1 apply per shift, not across the whole day.