UK First Aid Law Explained: What Is Actually Required?

First aid is often described as a legal requirement in the UK, but what does the law actually require?

Many employers, landlords, schools and small businesses are unsure where legal duties end and guidance begins. This guide explains UK first aid law in clear terms, separating legal requirements, HSE guidance and best practice, so responsibilities are easier to understand.

This page is designed as a reference guide for anyone responsible for first aid provision in the UK.

What does UK law say about first aid?

UK law does not provide a fixed checklist of first aid items, and it does not specify a single “correct” first aid kit.

Instead, first aid duties sit within wider health and safety law. In simple terms, employers must take reasonable steps to protect people’s health and safety at work. First aid arrangements are part of that duty.

Is first aid a legal requirement in the UK?

Yes, first aid provision is a legal duty. However, it is risk-based rather than prescriptive.

This means the law expects first aid arrangements to match the risks in your workplace. There is no universal rule for kit size, contents or numbers.

This is why a risk assessment matters. If you need a practical step-by-step guide, see our workplace risk assessment article: Workplace First Aid Risk Assessment (UK).

Law vs guidance vs standards

A lot of confusion comes from mixing up what is law, what is guidance, and what is a voluntary standard. Here is the simplest way to separate them.

Who is responsible for first aid?

Employers

Employers are responsible for ensuring first aid provision is appropriate for their workplace. That usually includes:

• Identifying risks and who may be harmed
• Providing suitable first aid equipment
• Ensuring the right people are available to manage first aid arrangements
• Reviewing provision when circumstances change

If you run a small company, you may find this guide helpful: First Aid Requirements for Small Business (UK).

Employees

Employees should follow workplace procedures, use first aid facilities responsibly, and report hazards and incidents. First aid arrangements work best when everyone understands what to do and where equipment is kept.

Self-employed people

If your work could affect other people, legal duties still apply. Even where risks are low, it is still sensible to consider what basic first aid provision is appropriate for your activities.

What HSE guidance means

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes guidance to help employers comply with the law. Guidance is not new legislation, but it is widely treated as best practice.

In practical terms, following HSE guidance can make it easier to show that your first aid arrangements are reasonable and suitable for your workplace.

If you want a practical approach to checks and upkeep, see: HSE First Aid Inspection Guide (UK).

Are first aid kits mandatory?

The law does not say “you must have this exact kit”. Instead, it expects first aid equipment to be:

• Suitable for the risks identified
• Easy to access when needed
• Maintained and replenished

This is why questions such as “how many first aid kits do we need?” are risk-based. For a practical explanation, see: How Many First Aid Kits Are Needed in a UK Workplace?.

Where do British Standards fit?

British Standards such as BS 8599-1 and BS 8599-2 are not laws. They are voluntary benchmarks used to help organisations choose appropriate first aid provision.

They can be useful when you want a recognised reference point for kit contents, especially where workplace risks are higher or more varied.

If you want the clearest breakdown, see: BS 8599-1 vs BS 8599-2 (UK).

First aiders vs appointed persons

Different workplaces need different arrangements. In many cases, a workplace may have:

• Appointed persons who take charge of first aid arrangements (for example, looking after the kit and calling emergency services)
• Trained first aiders where risks justify it

For a full explanation of roles, read: Appointed First Aiders: Roles, Training & Duties (UK).

How risk assessments affect legal compliance

A risk assessment helps determine:

• Whether trained first aiders are needed
• How many kits are required and where they should be placed
• Whether specialist items or additional provision is appropriate
• How provision should change for shift work, lone working, or public-facing environments

This is one reason many organisations build first aid into wider workplace systems, including inspection routines and written policies. If helpful, see: Workplace First Aid Policy Template (UK).

What the law does not require

UK first aid law does not require a specific kit brand, a fixed number of items, or British Standard compliance. It also does not require first aid training in every workplace regardless of risk.

What matters is that your arrangements are suitable for the risks in your workplace and reviewed when things change.

What happens if first aid is inadequate?

If first aid arrangements are not suitable for the risks present, organisations may struggle to demonstrate compliance with health and safety duties. In serious cases, this can lead to formal action from regulators.

Good first aid provision supports people and helps organisations show they take safety seriously.

Common myths about UK first aid law

• “Every workplace must have a BS kit.”
• “Small businesses are exempt.”
• “One kit is enough for any workplace.”
• “First aid training is always mandatory.”

Most confusion comes from mixing law, guidance and standards. This guide is designed to keep those separate.

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