First Aid Needs Assessment Checklist

The amount of first aid provision an employer must provide depends on the hazards and risks of their workplace(s). Employers are legally responsible for ensuring appropriate first aid arrangements are given to employees so that they can receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work – whether work activities caused them or not [For further information please visit HSE L74 GIES3]. A first aid needs assessment should be completed to calculate the appropriate first aid provisions you are responsible for providing. 


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What is a First Aid Needs Assessment?

A first aid needs assessment helps employers assess or review their first aid needs and requirements in relation to the hazards and risks within their workplace. It helps you determine a sufficient level of first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel that should always be available to reduce the effects of injury or illness suffered at work – whether they were caused by work activities or not. It may be useful for employers to retain a written record of their first aid need assessment so they can demonstrate why they have selected the provision they have put in place.


How to do a First Aid Needs Assessment:

Step 1) Determine your workplace areas. 

Step 2) Assess the hazards and risks within each workplace area. 

Step 3) Consider the types of accidents that could happen and the injuries and/or illnesses that may require first aid from these hazards and/or risks (previous accidents in workplace may also help with this step). 

Step 4) Decide the first aid provisions needed to ensure immediate attention is always available so that the effects of injuries or illnesses suffered can be reduced (e.g. facilities, equipment, personnel, record-keeping etc.) 


What Should be Reviewed or Considered in a First Aid Needs Assessment?

1) Hazards

  • Does your workplace have low-level hazards such as those that might be found in offices and shops (e.g. slip and trip hazards)?
  • Does your workplace have higher-level hazards such as chemicals, electricity, manual handling, working at height or dangerous machinery?
  • Do your work activities involve special hazards such as hydrofluoric acid or confined spaces?

2) Employees

  • How many people are employed on site?
  • Are there inexperienced workers on site, or employees who are disabled or have physical or mental health problems (e.g. pregnancy, epilepsy, peanut allergy, asthma etc)?

3) Accidents and Ill-Health Record

  • What is your record of accidents and physical or mental ill health?
  • What injuries and illnesses have occurred, including any life-threatening events?
  • How and where did these accidents or events happen?

4) Working Arrangements

  • Do you have employees who travel a lot, work remotely, or work alone?
  • Do any of your employees work shifts or out-of-hours?
  • Are the premises spread out (e.g. several buildings or multiple floors)?
  • Is your workplace remote from emergency medical services?
  • Do any of your employees work at sites occupied by other employers?
  • Do you have sufficient provision to cover absences of first aiders or appointed persons?

5) Non-Employees

  • Do members of the public or non-employees visit your premises?
  • The HSE strongly recommend that you include non-employees in your first-aid provision.


First Aid Provisions Checklist for Employers

Once a first aid needs assessment has been completed, employers should provide the facilities, personnel, equipment, and materials needed to make sure that the level of coverage identified is available to their employees at all relevant times. 

This first aid provisions checklist is not exhaustive and has only been created as a guide to help you understand what first aid provisions you may need. 

First Aid Facilities

  • Every employer should provide at least one first aid container at each work site (preferably placed near hand-washing facilities).
    • It should be protected from dust and dampness
    • It should be stocked with only items useful for giving first aid.
  • Ensure all first aid equipment and, if needed, specific first aid rooms are suitably marked (white cross on green background) and easily accessible.
  • All facilities and equipment should be examined frequently and restocked soon after use.

First Aid Personnel

  • First aider(s) or appointed person(s) should oversee first aid arrangements including looking after first aid equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required.
  • There are no standard rules on the exact number of first aiders that employers are required to have. The findings of a first aid needs assessment will help employers decide how many first aiders are required and the training and qualifications they should hold. Alternative working patterns should be accounted for.
  • First aid personnel should display the following:
    • Reliability, disposition, and communications skills.
    • Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills.
    • Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures.
    • Their normal duties should allow them to respond immediately and rapidly to an emergency.
  • First aider should have undertaken suitable training, hold a valid and appropriate first aid qualification and remain competent to perform their role [For further information please visit HSE L74 GIES3].


RLSS UK First Aid Qualifications

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has led the way in lifesaving skill training since 1891. Our first aid courses are delivered year-round across the UK and Ireland. 

RLSS UK’s First Aid Essentials suite includes all the essential first aid courses that individuals and employers need to meet their health and safety requirements. From emergency first aid and CPR procedures for adults and/or paediatrics (children and babies) to specific AED or anaphylaxis management courses, there is a first aid qualification to suit your individual or employer needs.  

RLSS UK's Complete First Aid Qualification Suite:

* is used to highlight regulated qualifications.


First Aid Equipment

Any products that are linked below will take you to the corresponding page on the RLSS UK Shop to help you purchase your first aid equipment easily. 

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