If you’ve started looking into first aid training for your business and come away more confused than when you started, you’re not alone. Terms like “appointed person“, “emergency first aid” and “first aid at work” get used interchangeably, and it’s not always obvious what the difference is or which one applies to you.

The honest answer is: it depends. But there’s a straightforward way to work it out.

What Does the Law Actually Say?

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel. The HSE is clear that there are no fixed rules on exactly how many trained first aiders you need, because that depends on your specific workplace, the work you do, and the risks involved.

That’s why a first aid needs assessment is the right starting point, not a quick Google.

The Three Levels Worth Knowing

Appointed Person

In some lower-risk workplaces, an appointed person may be enough. This person takes charge of first aid arrangements, looks after the kit, and calls the emergency services when needed. Importantly, they don’t need formal first aid training. They’re an organiser, not a responder.

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)

A one-day course covering the essentials: how to respond when someone is injured or becomes ill at work. It’s a solid foundation for lower-risk environments with smaller teams.

First Aid at Work (FAW)

A more comprehensive course covering everything in EFAW, plus a wider range of injuries and illnesses. Better suited to higher-risk workplaces, larger teams, or settings where staff may face more complex emergencies.

How Do You Know Which One You Need?

Start with your risk assessment, not a guess. Think about:

• Is your workplace low risk (office, retail) or higher risk (construction, manufacturing, care)?
• How many staff are usually on site at any one time?
• Do you need cover for visitors, contractors, or members of the public as well as employees?
• What are your opening hours, and do you have lone workers?
• What happens to first aid cover when someone is off sick or on annual leave?

As a rough guide, lower-risk workplaces with small teams often start with EFAW. Higher-risk settings or larger organisations typically need FAW cover. But the specifics really do matter here.

One Thing Employers Often Overlook

Having a certificate on file is not the same as having suitable first aid provision. The regulations require arrangements that are practical and proportionate for your workplace, with enough trained people available whenever staff are at work. A single certificate gathering dust in a drawer doesn’t cover that.

Not Sure Where You Fit?

You don’t need to figure this out alone. If you’re unsure what your business actually needs, we’re happy to talk it through with you before you book anything.

Getting the right course isn’t about buying the biggest package just in case. It’s about making sure your team is trained to a level that’s appropriate, proportionate, and genuinely useful when it matters.

 Get in touch and we’ll help you work it out.