Employers often ask us how many first aiders they need. The short answer from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is that there is no fixed number. You decide through a first-aid needs assessment, based on the risks and circumstances of your own workplace. This guide explains what the law requires and how to pick the right first aid course in Manchester for your staff.

It is general guidance, not legal advice. For your specific situation, read the HSE guidance linked below.

What the law requires

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities and people, so employees can get immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work. HSE explains how to apply the Regulations in its guidance L74, First aid at work.

HSE's first aid FAQs make three points employers often miss:

• There are no hard and fast rules on exact numbers. Your needs assessment decides.
• Where a trained first aider is not necessary, the minimum is an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements.
• Employers can choose whatever level of first aid training suits their needs.

What a needs assessment looks at

• the hazards in your work, from office-type risks to machinery, chemicals or work at height
• how many people you employ and how they are spread across sites, floors and shifts
• lone workers, travelling staff and remote locations
• your history of accidents and ill health
• how far you are from emergency medical help
• cover for holidays, sickness and shift changes

Record what you decide and review it when your work or staffing changes.

EFAW or FAW: which course?

Once you know how many first aiders you need, choose the level of training. We run both Qualsafe Level 3 qualifications at our Levenshulme centre.

Prices are those shown on our course pages when this post was written. The booking page always shows the current fee.

Read more about the Emergency First Aid at Work course in Manchester and the First Aid at Work course in Manchester.

Keeping skills current

EFAW and FAW certificates last three years. HSE does not make annual refresher training mandatory, but it strongly recommends it to help first aiders keep their skills up to date.

Schools, nurseries and childcare

If your staff look after babies and young children, the Paediatric First Aid course meets the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements. For school staff, we also run the Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness course.

First aid courses in Manchester for your team

We train groups at our centre in Levenshulme, with free on-site parking, or at your workplace across Greater Manchester. Email training@plabguide.co.uk or call 0161 564 6162 to discuss numbers and dates.

Upcoming first aid dates in Manchester