How the calculator works
UK law doesn't set a number. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 ask for "adequate and appropriate" provision, which you decide in a first aid needs assessment. The calculator starts from the figures HSE suggests, then adds cover for shifts, absence and spread-out sites.
| People at work | Low risk | Higher risk |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 5 | Appointed person | Appointed person |
| 5 to 24 | Appointed person | 1 FAW or EFAW first-aider |
| 25 to 50 | 1 EFAW first-aider | 1 FAW or EFAW first-aider |
| More than 50 | 1 FAW first-aider per 100 | 1 FAW first-aider per 50 |
Count the most people on site at once, not the payroll. Repeat the cover for every shift, and train at least one spare so a holiday or sick day doesn't leave you short. More detail and worked examples: how many first aiders do I need and FAW vs EFAW.
Kit sizes (BS 8599-1)
| Kit size | Low risk | Higher risk |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Fewer than 25 people | Fewer than 5 people |
| Medium | 25 to 100 | 5 to 25 |
| Large | 1 per 100 people | 1 per 25 people |
Then add kits for layout: one on each floor or building, a BS 8599-2 kit in each vehicle and a personal kit for lone workers. See how many first aid kits do I need and BS 8599-1 kit sizes.
Next steps
- Record the result in the needs assessment template.
- Check each kit against the printable kit checklist.
- Log expiry dates in the expiry tracker spreadsheet (Excel).
Add this calculator to your website
Training providers, safety consultants and trade bodies are welcome to put the calculator on their own site, free. Paste this code into any page. In WordPress, use a Custom HTML block.