How many first aiders does my company need?

"How many first aiders are required?" It is one of the most frequently asked questions about first aid at work. The honest answer: there is no fixed formula. There are, however, clear rules for determining the right number.

How many first aiders are required? No fixed formula

You often hear "one first aider per 50 employees". That is not in the law. The number depends on:

• the number of employees;
• the company's activities;
• the risk analysis.

The employer decides after advice from the occupational physician and the Committee (art. I.5-3 and I.5-6).

Which group does your company belong to?

The Belgian Code divides companies into groups:

• Group A: more than 1000 employees, or fewer with increased risk.
• Group B: 200 to 1000 employees.
• Group C: fewer than 200 employees.
• Group D: fewer than 20 employees, with the employer acting as prevention advisor.

Some higher-risk sectors already fall into a higher group with fewer employees. What the group means for who may give first aid: First aider, designated person or EHBO: who is who?.

Practical check: all working hours

First aid must be available during all working hours. That is where things most often go wrong. Ask yourself:

• Shifts: is there a first aider on every shift, including nights and weekends?
• Holidays: who takes over when a first aider is on leave?
• Sickness: what if someone is unexpectedly absent?
• Multiple sites: does every location have its own first aiders?
• Building sites: do people work off-site or on a building site?

Counting this way usually leads to more first aiders than you first thought.

First aid room and extra measures

In groups A, B and C, a first aid room is required unless the risk analysis shows it is not needed. The inspectorate can also impose additional measures.

The first aid kit

The first aid kit is part of first aid too:

• its contents are set after advice;
• you check it regularly;
• it contains no medicines.

See Is a first aid kit mandatory for employers? and What should be in a first aid kit?.

From numbers to training

Know how many first aiders you need? Then comes the training. What the law says about it: Basic first aider training: what does the law say?. For colleagues who will not become first aiders, there is the introduction to life-saving skills.

Need help planning training for your team? Request a quote.

Sources: FPS Employment – First aid (NL) · Securex Lex4You – Which group does your company belong to? (NL)