Workplace first aid regulations and guidance in both the UK and Ireland have seen important updates, reflecting an evolving understanding of comprehensive employee well-being. These changes, particularly from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland, underscore a holistic approach to workplace safety, integrating mental health considerations alongside physical first aid. Employers in both regions are urged to review their current first aid provisions to ensure compliance and best practice.

UK: HSE Guidance Emphasises Mental Health and Clarity

The HSE's updated guidance, particularly the third edition of 'First aid at work: Guidance on regulations (L74)', implemented amendments in early 2024. These updates do not change the legal requirements for compliance but provide clearer direction for employers.

Key Changes in UK Guidance:

  • Mental Health Integration: A significant update requires employers to consider employees' mental health in their first aid needs assessments. This marks a departure from previous guidance which primarily focused on physical first aid, acknowledging the importance of addressing both mental and physical health emergencies. Employers may find it beneficial to have individuals trained to identify and understand mental ill-health symptoms, capable of supporting someone experiencing a mental health issue. This support should involve knowing how to access professional help and acting effectively until that help is available.
  • Terminology Update: The term 'catastrophic bleeding' has been updated to 'life-threatening bleeding' to enhance clarity and align with contemporary medical terminology. The guidance also provides more detailed actions for employers to take if such a risk is identified in the workplace.
  • Simplified Training Provider Selection: The HSE has simplified guidance on selecting first aid training providers, aiming to make the process clearer for employers. This includes emphasising the need for employers to be confident in a provider's ability to deliver appropriate content, use suitable trainers and assessors, and have robust quality assurance systems. Blended learning is now explicitly accepted for workplace first aid training, provided employers conduct due diligence on its suitability.

These updates reinforce the need for workplaces to review their first aid needs assessments, potentially updating training programs to cover both physical and mental health emergencies.

Ireland: HSA Updates Focus on Training Standards and Equipment

In Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) released updated 'Guidelines on First-Aid at Places of Work' in December 2024. These guidelines aim to enhance workplace safety and ensure employees have access to necessary first aid resources and training.

Key Changes in Irish Guidance:

  • PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) Standard: The guidelines now reflect the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid Response (FAR) training standard. This ensures occupational first aiders receive the most current and comprehensive training available. Occupational first aid certification is valid for two years, after which recertification training is required.
  • Updated First-Aid Kit Contents: Significant updates have been made to the contents of first aid kits, ensuring they are well-stocked for a variety of workplace injuries and emergencies. The HSA provides guidance on recommended contents for first aid boxes and travel kits, which include items such as adhesive plasters, sterile eye pads, triangular bandages, safety pins, wound dressings, disinfectant wipes, paramedic shears, examination gloves, and sterile water.
  • Emergency Showers and Eye Washes: New guidance has been included on the provision and maintenance of emergency showers and eye wash stations, particularly important for workplaces with hazardous substance exposure.
  • Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): The guidelines incorporate updated information on the use and maintenance of AEDs, recognising their crucial role in sudden cardiac arrest.

Employers in Ireland are legally obligated to provide first aid equipment where working conditions require it, with the extent depending on factors like workforce size, nature of work, and risk level. A thorough risk assessment is the first step in determining first aid needs, including the number of trained first aiders required. For instance, in low-risk office environments, one trained first aider may suffice for up to 50 employees, while higher-risk settings like factories will require more.

Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see PMVA trainer qualifications or explore moving and handling trainer qualifications for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.

Workplace Accident Statistics Highlight Ongoing Need for Vigilance

Despite ongoing efforts, workplace accidents continue to occur in both the UK and Ireland, underscoring the critical importance of robust first aid provisions.

  • In the UK, the HSE reported 124 worker fatalities in work-related accidents during 2024/25. There were also an estimated 680,000 non-fatal injuries to workers in the same period, with 59,219 cases reported under RIDDOR. These non-fatal injuries led to approximately 4.4 million working days lost in 2024/25. The construction sector consistently accounts for a significant proportion of fatal accidents.
  • In Ireland, provisional figures published in January 2026 by the HSA showed a concerning increase in work-related fatalities, with 58 deaths in 2025, up 61% from 36 in 2024. The agriculture sector remains the most dangerous, accounting for 23 of these deaths (40% of the total) despite employing only about 4% of the workforce. Non-fatal incidents also saw an increase, with 10,441 reported to the HSA in 2024, a 3% rise from 2023. Manual handling was the most common trigger for non-fatal incidents in 2024.

These statistics serve as a stark reminder that employers must continuously assess and update their first aid arrangements to protect their workforce effectively. The economic cost of workplace accidents is also substantial; in the UK, it was estimated at £22.9 billion in 2024/25.

For comprehensive and up-to-date first aid training that aligns with the latest UK and Irish guidance, consider Abertay Training. Visit https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk for more information on their courses and how they can help your organisation meet its first aid obligations.