Clear first aid signage helps everyone locate first aid equipment and trained personnel quickly. In UK workplaces, employers are expected to provide visible, standardised signs so staff and visitors can find help in seconds. This guide explains what UK law expects, the types of first aid signs you should use, where to place them, and how to keep signage up to date.
Why First Aid Signs Matter
Faster response: Clear signs reduce delays in an emergency.
Consistency: Standard symbols are understood by staff, contractors and visitors.
Compliance support: Good signage supports your legal duties alongside kits and trained personnel.
What UK Law Says About First Aid Signage
Two key frameworks apply in the UK:
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996: Requires standard safety signs where needed. First aid signs must be easily recognisable (typically a white cross on a green background) and visible.
Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981: Employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel. Signage helps people find kits, rooms, AEDs and first aiders.
Best practice in the UK follows ISO 7010 symbols (e.g. E003 for first aid) so your signs are consistent and instantly understood.
Types of First Aid Signs (UK Standard)
Use simple, standardised designs so anyone can recognise them at a glance.
Type
What It Looks Like
Purpose
Typical Placement
First Aid Location
White cross on green (ISO 7010 E003)
Shows where the first aid kit/room is
Above/next to kits, first aid room doors, site maps
First Aider Information
Panel with “First Aider: Name / Phone”
Identifies trained personnel
Reception, noticeboards, near kits and time clocks
Emergency Eye Wash/Shower
Green pictogram with water/eye symbol
Directs to eye wash stations/showers
Workshops, labs, construction wash points
AED / Defibrillator
Heart + lightning bolt on green
Locates defibrillator
Reception, gyms, corridors, high footfall areas
Combination Board
Multi-message board (kit + first aider + emergency numbers)
Gives all info in one place
Break rooms, site offices, entrances
Where to Display First Aid Signs
At every first aid kit — a sign directly above or beside the box or cabinet.
At first aid rooms — on the door and wayfinding along corridors.
Near emergency equipment — AEDs, eye wash stations, showers.
High-traffic areas — entrances, break rooms, reception, lifts, stair heads.
Task risk areas — workshops, kitchens, construction zones, warehouses.
🗓️ Check monthly: are signs clean, visible and undamaged?
🔁 Update first aider lists whenever staff change.
🧭 Wayfinding: add directional arrows if routes or layouts change.
🧼 Clean: wipe down boards and replace any faded or peeling signs.
📦 Sync with kit checks: when you restock kits, check signage too — see our Refills Guide and Storage Guide.
First Aid Signage — FAQ
Are first aid signs mandatory in UK workplaces?
Workplaces must ensure people can find first aid equipment and help quickly. Using standard first aid signs (green with a white cross) is the recognised way to meet this expectation under the Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996.
What colour and symbol should UK first aid signs use?
Use a white cross on a green background. ISO 7010 symbol E003 is the recognised standard for first aid location.
Where should I place first aid signs?
At every first aid kit, first aid room, AED and eye wash station, and along routes leading to them. Add signs in high-traffic and high-risk areas.
Do small offices need first aid signs?
Yes — even small sites should clearly indicate where the kit is and who the first aider is. A simple location sign and a first aider board are usually sufficient.
How often should signage be checked or replaced?
Check signs monthly and whenever layouts or staff change. Replace anything faded, damaged or obstructed.
