LRD guides and handbook July 2017

Health and safety law 2017

Chapter 10

Guidance on the first aid regulations


[ch 10: page 188]

In October 2013, the First Aid Regulationswere amended, removing the requirement for HSE to approve first-aid training and qualifications. This means that businesses can now decide who provides their first-aid training. Employers still need to assess their needs to establish what provision for first-aid training is required. This will depend on the workplace, taking into account, among other things, the number of employees, size, location and work activity. The HSE has issued guidance on employers when selecting a first-aid training provider, available on its website.



The HSE also removed the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) on the regulations, and issued new guidance on what the amended regulations mean for employers, available from its website.


The First aid at work: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 can be found on the HSE first-aid webpages (www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l74.pdf).


The HSE pages also contain separate HSE guidance on first aid in the areas of mining, diving and offshore activities.

First aid at mines - www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l43.pdf

First aid requirements for diving - www.hse.gov.uk/diving/aid.htm

Health care and first aid on offshore installations and pipeline works - www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l123.pdf