SiteKiln gives you plain-English information, not legal advice or medical guidance. If you need advice specific to your situation, check the latest HSE guidance on first aid at work.
7.7.1 The short version
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 say every employer must make "adequate and appropriate" first-aid provision for employees -- kit, facilities and trained people. That applies even if you only have a handful of staff or are technically self-employed but use labour.
On construction sites, HSE treat the work as higher-risk, so a full First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification is usually the expected standard for at least one person, with Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) for others depending on size and risk.
7.7.2 Why it matters
On a live site, first aid is not theory -- it is bleeding, falls, crush injuries and people going down in awkward places. If nobody competent is there in the first few minutes, minor injuries can turn serious and serious ones can turn fatal.
Legally, not having proper first-aid cover is a breach of the Regulations and will be a black mark if HSE turn up after an accident. Practically, clients and main contractors expect named first-aiders and training certificates in your RAMS or pre-qual forms.
7.7.3 What the Regulations actually require
Regulation 3 of the 1981 Regulations says employers must provide (or ensure there is provided):
- Adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities for first aid.
- A suitable number of "suitable persons" -- people with appropriate training and qualifications -- to give first aid if employees are injured or taken ill.
HSE's guidance explains you must:
- Carry out a first-aid needs assessment -- look at hazards, numbers of people, work patterns, remoteness from emergency services, etc.
- Decide how many first-aiders you need, what level of training (EFAW vs FAW), and what kit/facilities are required.
- Inform employees about arrangements -- who the first-aiders are, where kits are, how to call them.
Self-employed people must also assess their own needs and plan accordingly.
7.7.4 EFAW vs FAW -- what's the difference?
HSE recognise two main workplace first-aid qualifications:
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) -- typically a 1-day (6-hour) course.
- Trains someone to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill at work (life-threatening issues, basic interventions).
First Aid at Work (FAW) -- typically a 3-day course (or 2-day requalification).
- Covers EFAW content plus a wider range of specific injuries and illnesses (fractures, burns, crush injuries, eye injuries, etc.).
HSE guidance and sector commentary flag construction as higher-risk, and say FAW is generally the expected standard for most sites, especially bigger ones. EFAW might be enough only for small, low-risk workplaces.
Refresher points:
- FAW and EFAW certificates usually last 3 years.
- HSE strongly recommend annual refreshers to keep skills sharp (not a legal must, but best practice).
- Training should meet the HSE standard -- you are expected to check provider competence using their GEIS3 guidance.
7.7.5 Quick first-aid health check for a construction business
You are roughly where you should be if:
You have done a first-aid needs assessment that takes into account construction hazards, how many people you have on site and how spread-out they are.
On each site/shift, you have at least one person with FAW (and enough EFAW/FAW cover for the total headcount and shifts), not just "someone who did a course years ago".
First-aid kits are stocked, accessible and match HSE guidance -- not an empty box with one plaster left.
Everyone knows who the first-aiders are and how to reach them, and the information is on your site board/RAMS.
If any of those are a "no", that is a fix-this-week compliance job, not a "when it's quiet" nice-to-have.
7.7.6 What to do next
- Carry out a first-aid needs assessment for your business, considering construction hazards, headcount and how spread out people are on site.
- Make sure at least one person on each site or shift has a current FAW certificate (not just EFAW, given construction risk levels).
- Check first-aid kits are stocked and accessible -- not an empty box with one plaster left.
- Put the first-aider names and kit locations on your site board and in your RAMS.
- Book refreshers before the 3-year expiry so there is never a gap.
7.7.7 Who to contact
- HSE -- hse.gov.uk -- for first-aid regulations, needs assessment guidance and GEIS3 training provider standards (free)
- CSCS -- 0344 994 4777, cscs.uk.com -- for card queries and first-aid certification (free)
- CITB -- 0344 994 4400, citb.co.uk -- for first-aid training grants and approved provider lists (free)
- Local authority building control -- for site-specific compliance queries
- Environment Agency -- 03708 506 506 -- for environmental queries on site
7.7.8 Sources and legislation
- Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 -- employer duties on first-aid provision. legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1981/917
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 -- general employer duties on safety. legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 -- CDM duties on welfare and first aid. legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/51
7.7.9 Related guides on this site
- 7.1 CSCS cards -- full breakdown
- 7.8 SMSTS and SSSTS
- 7.6 Asbestos awareness vs licensed removal
- 2.1 Health and safety basics for small builders
- 6.2 Employers' liability insurance
- 15.5 Taking on your first employee
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