Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 to ensure appropriate first aid provisions are in place at work. For certain workplaces-especially larger environments, high-risk industries, or sites with many employees-a workplace first aid room is not just helpful, it’s a legal requirement.
Legal Requirements for a Workplace First Aid Room
A workplace first aid room becomes necessary when:
- You employ a large number of staff.
- Your workplace involves high-risk activities (e.g. manufacturing, construction).
- There is a greater likelihood of injuries requiring more than basic first aid.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a designated first aid room be provided in these circumstances. This room must be clearly marked and easily accessible to stretchers and wheelchairs. It should be kept clean, well-lit, and regularly restocked.
Employers are also responsible for assigning trained first aiders and ensuring the room is available during working hours.
What should a first aid room or area include?
You should consider your workplace’s specific hazards when choosing your first aid equipment and supplies, as well as the size of your workplace and the number of employees in each area. A suitable first aid room(s) should be provided where your needs assessment identifies this as necessary.
The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance contains examples of the equipment and facilities a workplace first aid room, or designated safe first aid area, may contain, such as:
- First aid signs, advising of the names, locations and, if appropriate, telephone extensions of first aiders and how to contact them
- A sink with hot and cold running water
- Drinking water with disposable cups
- Soap and paper towels
- A store for first aid materials, such as a first aid cabinet
- Appropriately stocked portable first aid kits, we recommend that your first aiders should be able to get a first aid kit and reach a casualty within 60 seconds.
- Foot-operated refuse containers, lined with disposable, yellow clinical waste bags or a container suitable for the safe disposal of clinical waste
- An examination / medical couch with waterproof protection and clean pillows and blankets (a paper couch roll may be used that is changed between casualties)
- A telephone or other communication equipment
- A record book for recording incidents attended by a first aider or appointed person.
- To find out how many kits your workplace requires, please see our Workplace first aid kit buying guide.
Should you have a defibrillator for the workplace?
Defibrillators are easy to use and can drastically improve a cardiac arrest casualty’s chance of survival. Having a defibrillator on-site is especially important if your workplace is remote or if there could be a significant delay in the ambulance service getting to the casualty.
Having a defibrillator on-site is also valuable if:
- You have an ageing workforce
- There has been a history of cardiac conditions in the workforce,
- Your workplace is frequently visited by large numbers of the general public, such as a supermarket.
For more information, see our defibrillator buying guide to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Who Should Manage the First Aid Room?
Only trained personnel should handle workplace first aid. Appoint at least one person to:
- Maintain the room and kit
- Check expiry dates of sterile supplies
- Keep records of all incidents and restocking
If your business doesn’t employ a full-time occupational health nurse, first aid responsibilities may fall to trained first aiders on-site.
Keeping Your First Aid Room Compliant
Review your first aid room setup regularly to ensure it meets your current business needs. If your workforce grows or your risks change, your provisions should be updated accordingly.
Use a checklist to confirm:
- The room remains clean, ventilated, and accessible
- Equipment is regularly checked and in working order
- Staff know where the first aid room is and who the first aiders are
- Refresher training is provided at appropriate intervals
