Workplace first aid basics are a legal duty for UK employers, not an optional extra. Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, you must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and people so employees receive immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work. For women running businesses with staff, getting this right protects your team, reduces downtime, and keeps you on the right side of the law. Whether you lead a small retail shop, a consultancy, or a growing manufacturing firm, the same legal framework applies.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces these rules and makes clear that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, you must carry out a first-aid needs assessment based on your workplace hazards, the size of your workforce, your history of accidents, and how your people work. HSE’s 2023/24 statistics show that 561,000 workers self-reported a non-fatal injury at work, which makes first aid preparedness a practical priority as well as a legal one (HSE, 2023/24).

What UK law requires from employers

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require every employer to provide first aid cover for employees. The level of cover depends on the outcome of your first-aid needs assessment. For a low-risk office with few staff, this might mean a single appointed person and a standard first aid kit. For a high-risk site such as a construction yard, factory, or commercial kitchen, you will need trained first aiders, multiple kits, and possibly specialist equipment.

While first aid cannot prevent every serious incident, HSE’s 2023/24 figures recorded 138 worker fatalities in Great Britain, a reminder that robust first aid cover must be part of your wider health and safety planning (HSE, 2023/24).

Your assessment should record:

• the hazards present in your workplace
• the number of employees and their working patterns
• any remote, lone, or mobile workers
• the history of accidents and near misses
• arrangements for cover during absences and holidays

Self-employed people are also covered by the regulations if their work could pose a risk to others. If you run a business from home and clients, contractors, or employees visit, you should consider basic first aid provision. Many women-led micro-businesses start from home, so it is worth checking whether your cover is adequate for visitors as well as staff. For more on employer responsibilities, see our Employment Rights Act Employer Timeline: Key Dates to Know.

Workplace first aid basics for common injuries

According to HSE’s 2023/24 statistics, slips, trips or falls on the same level accounted for 32% of non-fatal workplace injuries, while handling, lifting or carrying caused 18% (HSE, 2023/24). The right immediate response reduces pain, prevents infection, and can stop a minor incident becoming a serious claim. For women-led businesses in sectors such as hospitality, care, or construction, where these injuries are more likely, training staff in the basics is a sound investment.

Cuts, grazes, and bleeding wounds

Wash your hands and put on disposable gloves if available. Rinse the wound under clean running water, then pat the surrounding skin dry. Apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing or clean cloth to stop bleeding. Once bleeding is controlled, cover the wound with a sterile dressing. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on an open wound; these can damage tissue and delay healing.

Burns and scalds

Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Remove jewellery or clothing near the area unless it is stuck to the skin. Cover with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy dressing. Do not apply ice, butter, or creams. Seek medical help for burns larger than the person’s hand, burns to the face, hands, or genitals, or any deep or chemical burn.

Sprains, strains, and suspected fractures

Use the RICE approach: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth for up to 20 minutes. For a suspected fracture, immobilise the limb in the position found using a splint or sling and call 999 or take the person to A&E. Do not try to straighten a deformed limb.

Slips, trips, and falls

After checking for danger, assess the person for pain, swelling, or inability to bear weight. If they hit their head, lost consciousness, or show signs of concussion, seek medical advice. Record the incident in your accident book and review the cause to prevent recurrence. Good first aid is part of a wider approach to workplace health; see our guide to Designing Workplaces that Nurture Health.

First aid kits: what you must stock

HSE guidance sets out the minimum contents for a workplace first aid kit. A standard kit for a low-risk environment should include:

• a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid
• individually wrapped sterile plasters in assorted sizes
• sterile eye pads
• individually wrapped triangular bandages
• safety pins
• medium and large sterile unmedicated wound dressings
• disposable gloves

High-risk workplaces such as construction, catering, or manufacturing may need additional items such as scissors, foil blankets, or eyewash pods. Kits should be checked regularly and restocked after use. Expired items should be replaced. For women founders watching costs, the standard kit is a low-cost way to meet your legal duty, and regular checks avoid the expense of emergency purchases.

Training and refresher requirements

First aid at work certificates issued by recognised providers such as the British Red Cross or St John Ambulance are typically valid for three years. HSE strongly recommends that first aiders complete annual refresher training to keep skills current, particularly for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

There is no legal requirement to provide an AED, but the Resuscitation Council UK encourages their placement in workplaces. If you install one, ensure enough staff are trained to use it confidently. For a small women-led business, sharing the cost of an AED with neighbouring firms can make this more affordable.

Recording and reporting incidents

Employers must keep an accident book to record work-related injuries and incidents. Certain injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). Examples include fractures, amputations, serious burns, and any injury that keeps an employee away from work for more than seven days. RIDDOR reports must be submitted within 15 days of the incident.

In 2023/24, 33.7 million working days were lost due to work-related ill health and non-fatal workplace injury, according to HSE (HSE, 2023/24). Accurate recording helps you spot patterns, improve controls, and demonstrate compliance if HSE inspects your business. For women-led businesses, clear records also protect your reputation and can support insurance or legal enquiries if an incident is disputed.

Practical action steps for employers

• Carry out a written first-aid needs assessment for your workplace.
• Appoint and train enough first aiders to cover shifts, holidays, and remote workers.
• Place clearly marked first aid kits where employees can reach them quickly.
• Check kits monthly and replace expired or used items.
• Record all accidents and report RIDDOR incidents within the 15-day legal time limit.
• Review your first aid plan after any significant change in work activities or premises.

If you are juggling multiple roles, delegate responsibility for monthly kit checks and training renewals to a named member of staff and add the dates to your calendar.

Getting workplace first aid basics right protects your employees, reduces downtime, and helps you meet your legal duties as a UK employer. For a broader look at keeping your team healthy, read our guide to 7 Ways to Improve Wellness in Your Workplace.