How many First Aiders do I need at work?
Imagine it’s Friday afternoon. One of your trained first aiders is on annual leave and another has already gone home. Someone is injured in the loading area. Who would respond, and would the team know how to reach them?
That’s a useful question to ask before booking workplace first aid training for 2027. You might have enough people trained on paper and still have gaps on early starts, late shifts or busy holiday weeks. Whether you manage an office in High Wycombe, a warehouse in Cressex or a workshop elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, here’s how to check your cover and decide what training to book.
How many first aiders do I need at work?
The number depends on your first aid needs assessment. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says employers should consider their workplace circumstances, including the nature of the work, the hazards involved and how staff are spread across shifts and locations.
Start with your staff rota and a list of your current first aiders. Check who is normally available in each area when people are working. Include quieter periods such as opening, closing and weekend shifts, when fewer people may be on site.
For example, a warehouse might have several trained staff on the day shift but nobody trained on a regular evening shift. A small office might depend on one trained employee who works from home two days a week. In both cases, looking at the rota shows where to focus the next training booking.
If your assessment shows that a trained first aider is unnecessary, you still need an appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements. Their role can include looking after first aid equipment and calling the emergency services when needed. Read the HSE guidance on workplace first aid responsibilities.
Five checks to make before booking first aid training
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Plan for holidays and sickness. Look at what happens when your usual first aider is away. If several trained staff work the same hours, training someone on a different shift may fill the gap.
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Check your busiest and quietest shifts. Can staff get help when they arrive early, work late or cover weekends? Include teams in separate buildings or parts of the site.
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Review what’s changed. New machinery, a larger team, a move to another premises or a change in working hours can all affect your first aid needs. Consider lone workers and staff who spend time away from your main site.
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Check certificate expiry dates. Record each person’s qualification and expiry date. Set a reminder early enough to book their next course and arrange cover while they attend.
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Make sure staff know how to get help. Ask a new starter who they would contact and where they would find the first aid kit. Use their answer to check whether your induction, notices and contact details are clear.
Keep the results somewhere your managers can find them. A simple list showing each first aider’s name, location, usual shifts, qualification and expiry date gives you a starting point for your next review. See the HSE’s first aid needs assessment guidance.
Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work?
Once you know where you need cover, use your first aid needs assessment to choose the level of training.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is NDA’s one-day course. It prepares staff to give emergency first aid if someone is injured or becomes ill at work. It may be suitable where your assessment identifies a need for emergency first aid skills.
First Aid at Work (FAW) is NDA’s three-day course. It includes the emergency first aid content and covers a wider range of injuries and illnesses. Consider it where your assessment identifies the need for that broader training.
Before booking, look at the tasks staff carry out and the injuries or illnesses your team might have to deal with. Share those details with your training provider so you can discuss which course fits. Explore NDA’s workplace first aid courses.
How long does a workplace first aid certificate last?
Workplace first aid certificates last three years. Check the dates now and plan requalification before certificates expire, especially if several first aiders trained together and are due to renew around the same time. You can stagger course bookings to help maintain cover while staff attend.
The HSE also strongly recommends annual refresher training to help first aiders keep their basic skills up to date between qualifications. Read the HSE guidance for workplace first aiders.
Book workplace first aid training in High Wycombe or at your premises
If you have one or two people to train, you can book them onto a scheduled course at our High Wycombe training centre. If you have a team to train, NDA First Aid Training Ltd can come to your workplace in Buckinghamshire or the surrounding area.
If you’re unsure which course to book, tell us what your team does, how many people you need to train and which shifts you’re trying to cover. We’ll talk you through the course options.
View dates and book a first aid course in High Wycombe
For in-house training, call 01494 958547 or email info@ndatraining.co.uk.
