Choosing the right first aid course for your workplace can feel confusing at first, especially when terms like appointed person, emergency first aid and first aid at work are all used interchangeably. In reality, the right answer depends on your first aid needs assessment, the type of work you do, how many staff you have, and the level of risk in your setting.

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel. HSE says there are no hard and fast rules on how many trained first aiders you need, because that depends on your work activities and location.

In some low-risk workplaces, an appointed person may be enough. HSE explains that an appointed person takes charge of first aid arrangements, looks after equipment and facilities, and calls the emergency services if needed, but they do not need formal first aid training.

In other workplaces, you may need someone trained in Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work. HSE says Emergency First Aid at Work covers emergency first aid for someone who is injured or becomes ill at work, while First Aid at Work includes that level plus a broader range of specific injuries and illnesses.

As a rough guide, lower-risk workplaces may often start by considering Emergency First Aid at Work, while higher-risk settings or larger teams may need fuller First Aid at Work cover. The safest way to decide is not to guess, but to work from your risk assessment and think about hazards, lone working, opening hours, public access, and cover for annual leave or sickness.

It is also worth remembering that having a certificate is not the same as having suitable provision. Employers need arrangements that are practical for their workplace, with enough people available when staff are at work.

If you are not sure where your organisation fits, start with three questions:

• Is your workplace low risk or higher risk?
• How many staff are usually on site?
• Do you need cover for visitors, contractors or members of the public as well as employees?

Getting the right course should not be about buying the biggest package just in case. It should be about making sure your staff are trained to a level that is appropriate, proportionate and useful in the real world.