Every workplace is different. The right first aid arrangements depend on your team size, the activities and risks involved, your working arrangements and the provision you already have in place.
Our free Workplace First Aid Needs Assessment Tool helps you review your current training, cover and equipment. You’ll receive an indicative result showing what appears suitable, where there may be gaps and anything that needs confirming.
It only takes a few minutes, and you can ask the SkillBase team to review your results afterwards.
Why carry out a first aid needs assessment?
Employers need to assess their first aid requirements and put suitable arrangements in place. This means considering the people in the workplace, the hazards and injuries that could occur, working patterns, locations and any existing first aid provision.
A good assessment helps you:
Identify potential gaps
Check whether your training, cover and equipment appear suitable for your workplace.
Plan with more confidence
Understand what may be needed and which details require a closer review.
Keep your arrangements current
Review your provision as your workforce, activities or working arrangements change.
What shapes your workplace first aid needs?
The tool considers several factors before producing your indicative result.
1. Workplace activities and foreseeable risks
An office will usually have different first aid needs from a warehouse, commercial kitchen, workshop or laboratory. Some organisations also have a mix of lower and higher-risk areas, which may need separate training, cover or equipment.
2. Employees and other people present
Employee numbers help indicate the appropriate training and equipment starting point. The assessment also considers whether customers, pupils, visitors, contractors or other people are regularly present.
3. Locations and working arrangements
Multiple sites, separate buildings, shifts, lone working and off-site activities can all affect whether suitably trained people and equipment are available where and when they are needed.
4. Your current provision
The tool compares the indicative starting point with the qualifications, trained numbers, cover and kit-management arrangements you tell us are currently in place.
How often should we review our first aid assessment?
Review them regularly and whenever there is a meaningful change, such as:
- changes to employee numbers or working hours;
- a move to new premises;
- new machinery, substances or workplace activities;
- changes to shifts, locations or off-site work;
- an accident or incident that highlights a potential gap.
It is also sensible to schedule a routine review so the assessment is not forgotten.
What’s the difference between Emergency First Aid (EFAW) and First Aid at Work (FAW)?
Emergency First Aid at Work – 1 day
Covers the essential skills needed to respond to common workplace first aid emergencies. It is often the indicated starting point for smaller, lower-risk workplaces.
First Aid at Work – 3 days
Provides broader training for a wider range of injuries and illnesses. It may be indicated for larger workforces, higher-risk activities or areas where more serious injuries could occur.
The right course depends on the findings of the employer’s first aid needs assessment.
Do remote or hybrid workers change our assessment?
They can. Employers should consider how remote, home-based and travelling workers can access appropriate first aid support. The right arrangements will depend on the work being carried out, the risks involved and how easily help can be reached.
What is the SkillBase Confidence Guarantee?
We are so passionate about coaching confidence, not just competence, that we guarantee everyone who trains with us will leave feeling ready and inspired to step in during an emergency. If someone leaves our course feeling unsure, we will refund and retrain for free!
Let's talk!
We’re on a mission to fill workplaces with Heroes-on-Standby - people who feel confident stepping in during a first aid emergency or supporting someone’s mental wellbeing.
Got a quick question, an idea, or just fancy a chat about training? We’d love to hear from you (fair warning: we can get a little over-enthusiastic when it comes to first aid and wellbeing!).
If your enquiry is a bit more detailed, you can book a consultation with one of our training experts.