First Aid at Work UK 2026: Legal Requirements, Six Pack Regulations & Can You Be Prosecuted?

Updated: April 2026 • Based on UK Law

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What Is a First Aid Policy?

A first aid policy is a written document setting out how an employer will provide first aid in the workplace — covering equipment, trained personnel, emergency procedures, cover arrangements, and accident reporting. Required under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, it applies to all UK employers regardless of size.

This guide covers UK first aid law, how many first aiders you need, training requirements, and common questions about liability and pay.

Every UK employer must provide first aid — regardless of size.

Even a sole trader working from home has obligations.

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What Does a First Aid Policy Need to Include?

A first aid policy should cover:

- Who the appointed person or first aider is — names, locations, and contact details

- Where first aid equipment is kept — locations of all first aid kits and any specialist equipment

- Emergency procedures — how to call for help, what to do while waiting for an ambulance

- Training records — who is trained, what level, when certificates expire

- Cover arrangements — what happens when the first aider is on holiday or absent

- Accident reporting — how incidents are recorded and when RIDDOR reporting is required

The policy must be communicated to all employees.

Display a notice showing who the first aiders are, where the first aid kit is, and how to contact emergency services.

What Is the First Aid Law in the UK?

The primary legislation is the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

These require every employer to provide “adequate and appropriate” equipment, facilities, and personnel.

The goal is to ensure employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or become ill at work.

The Regulations apply to all workplaces — including those with five or fewer employees.

They also apply to the self-employed.

What counts as “adequate and appropriate” depends on your first aid needs assessment.

This is a review of your workplace hazards, workforce size, work patterns, and proximity to emergency medical services.

The Regulations do not require employers to provide first aid to non-employees (such as customers or visitors). However, the HSE strongly recommends including them in your needs assessment and making provision for them.

How Many First Aiders Do You Need in the UK?

There is no single number written into law.

The answer depends on your first aid needs assessment.

However, the HSE provides recommended minimum numbers:

Low-risk workplaces (offices, shops, libraries):

- Fewer than 25 employees — at least one appointed person

- 25–50 employees — at least one EFAW-trained first aider

- More than 50 employees — at least one FAW-trained first aider per 100 employees

Higher-risk workplaces (construction, manufacturing, warehouses, food processing):

- Fewer than 5 employees — at least one appointed person

- 5–50 employees — at least one FAW-trained first aider

- More than 50 employees — one additional FAW-trained first aider per 50 employees

You must also ensure cover during holidays, absences, and shift changes.

An appointed person manages first aid arrangements and calls the ambulance — but does not need formal first aid training.

An EFAW first aider (Emergency First Aid at Work) completes a one-day course.

A FAW first aider (First Aid at Work) completes a three-day course.

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Can I Refuse to Be a First Aider at Work in the UK?

Yes.

There is no legal obligation on an employee to become a first aider.

The duty sits with the employer — not the employee.

An employer can ask you to take on the role, but they cannot force you.

If you do agree, the employer must provide (and pay for) your training. You should not be penalised for declining.

Can You Be Prosecuted for Offering First Aid in the UK?

This is a common concern — and the answer is reassuring.

In the UK, there is no specific “Good Samaritan” law.

But there is also no history of successful prosecution against someone who gave first aid in good faith.

The key legal principle is duty of care.

If you act reasonably, within your training, and in the best interests of the injured person, you are protected.

The risk of doing nothing is far greater — both morally and legally — than the risk of helping.

If you are a designated workplace first aider, your employer’s insurance covers you while acting in that role.

Do First Aiders Get Paid Extra in the UK?

There is no legal requirement for employers to pay first aiders extra.

Some employers offer a small allowance — typically £50–£200 per year — as recognition.

Others factor it into the job description or offer time off in lieu for training days.

What the employer must do is pay for the training itself and allow time during working hours to complete it.

What Are the Six Pack Regulations in the UK?

The “Six Pack” is an informal name for six key health and safety regulations introduced in 1992 to implement EU directives.

They are:

- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (originally 1992) — risk assessments, competent persons, emergency procedures

- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 — temperature, lighting, ventilation, sanitation, rest areas

- Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 — workstation assessments, eye tests, breaks

- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 — avoid, assess, and reduce risk from lifting and carrying

- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 (PUWER) — equipment must be suitable, maintained, and used safely

- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 — PPE must be provided, maintained, and used correctly

The First Aid Regulations 1981 sit alongside these but are not part of the “Six Pack” — they predate them by over a decade.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do you need to teach first aid in the UK?

First aid training organisations must be approved by the HSE (or an Ofqual-regulated awarding body).

Individual trainers typically need a current FAW certificate and a recognised teaching qualification (such as Level 3 Award in Education and Training).

Relevant practical experience is also required.

What must a first aid kit contain?

The HSE recommends a minimum of: sterile plasters, sterile eye pads, triangular bandages, safety pins, sterile wound dressings (medium and large), disposable gloves, and a guidance leaflet.

Your first aid needs assessment may identify additional items — such as burn dressings, eye wash, or a defibrillator.