HSE First Aid Requirements 2026. What UK Employers Need to Know

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HSE First Aid Regulations Explained Simply

Overview: HSE First Aid Requirements 2026

HSE first aid requirements 2026 set out what UK employers must consider to provide effective, appropriate first aid in the workplace. These requirements come from the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and updated Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, including the most recent revisions to First aid at work: Guidance on regulations (L74).

This page explains what businesses need to do in 2026 to stay compliant, ensure safety, and protect their people.

This page explains it in an easy to understand way to help businesses know their First Aid commitments to stay compliant.

What the Law Requires

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 place a responsibility on every UK employer to make adequate first aid provision for their employees, based on a first aid needs assessment.

This includes:

A suitably stocked first aid kit appropriate for the risk level
An appointed person to manage first aid arrangements
Access to trained first-aiders when required
Clear information for all employees about first aid arrangements
Equipment and facilities that reflect the nature of the work, location and workforce size

The Regulations apply to all workplaces, regardless of size. Though what is “adequate” depends on your risk assessment, the type of hazards present, and how far your site is from emergency medical services.

The First Aid Needs Assessment. The Starting Point

A robust First Aid Needs Assessment is the first step to compliance with HSE first aid requirements 2026. It should consider:

The nature of your business activities
Workplace hazards and risks
The number of employees and visitors
Shift patterns and lone working
Proximity to emergency services
Accident history and trends

There are no fixed rules on how many first aiders you need — it must be based on this assessment.

Where hazards are low, you may only need an appointed person; where risks are higher, you will likely need trained first-aiders with up-to-date certification.

HSE Guidance on Minimum Provisions

According to HSE guidance:

The minimum workplace provision includes a suitable first aid kit and an appointed person.
You do not have to provide a trained first aider in all cases, but many workplaces will benefit from one or more.
First aid training must be from a competent training provider.

Training should equip first aiders to provide immediate care, manage emergencies, and help keep casualties safe until professional services arrive.

What’s New or Changing for 2026

While the regulations themselves have not fundamentally changed, the HSE’s guidance has evolved, reflecting updates in best practice and international resuscitation recommendations. Relevant trends employers should consider include:

1. Life-Threatening Bleeding

The updated guidance refers to life-threatening bleeding — replacing older terminology. Employers are encouraged to consider whether their first aid provision and kits support appropriate response to major bleeding risks.

2. Mental Health Considerations

The latest guidance emphasises that employers should consider mental health first aid needs as part of the first aid needs assessment, — not necessarily as a statutory requirement, but as good practice.

3. Defibrillator (AED) Awareness

While not a legal requirement, modern guidance encourages employers to consider access to defibrillators (AEDs) and incorporate AED knowledge into training where appropriate.

4. Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines

New international resuscitation guidelines, adopted in first aid training from January 2026, may change some practical techniques taught in regulated courses

Who Should Be Trained?

HSE expects that employers make an informed decision about who should receive training based on the needs assessment. Factors include:

Risk level of activities
Number of staff on site
Hours and patterns of work
Potential for injury or sudden illness

Where trained first aiders are provided, they should hold valid certificates from regulated courses appropriate to the workplace, such as Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work. These courses cover basic life support, CPR, AED use and other core emergency skills.

What Is Expected from Your First Aid Kit and Facilities

HSE guidance recommends that:

First aid kits reflect the British Standard BS 8599-1 for workplace kits wherever practical.
Larger or higher-risk workplaces might need more comprehensive equipment and even a dedicated first aid room.

There is no singular legal formula for kit contents — it must be based on your needs assessment and best practice standards.

Record Keeping and Review

Part of HSE first aid compliance is having:

Training records for all first aiders
Accident and incident records
A documented first aid needs assessment
A schedule for reviewing and updating first aid provision regularly

If circumstances change — for example, new staff, new equipment, or new hazards — your first aid provision should be reviewed again.

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

Failure to meet HSE first aid requirements can lead to action from the HSE, especially if a lack of adequate first aid provision contributes to harm. Non-compliance can also: