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- The Legal Basis
- What Should Be in Your First Aid Kit?
- What Changed in 2025?
- How Many First Aiders Do You Need?
- Do You Need a First Aid Room?
- AEDs – Automated External Defibrillators
- Remote and Out-of-Office Workers
- Emergency Showers, Eye Wash & Evacuation Equipment
- Maintaining Your First Aid Provisions
1. The Legal Basis — What the Law Requires
Under the regulations, every Irish employer is required to:
- Provide and maintain suitably stocked and clearly marked first-aid equipment at every place of work
- Appoint occupational first-aiders where required based on workplace size and hazard level
- Provide first-aid rooms where the size of the workplace and frequency of accidents make them necessary
- Inform employees of first-aid arrangements, including the names and locations of first-aiders
In December 2024, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) published updated guidelines on first-aid at places of work. These are not new regulations — the legal framework remains S.I. No. 299/2007 — but the guidance on kit contents, training standards and other provisions has been significantly updated. All Irish businesses should review their current arrangements against the new guidance.
2. What Should Be in Your First Aid Kit?
The HSA provides a table of minimum recommended contents based on the number of persons employed. These are minimums — a risk assessment may require additional items for specific workplace hazards. No medications should be stored in occupational first-aid kits.
| Item | Travel Kit | 1–10 | 11–25 | 26–50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Sterile Eye Pads No. 16 (bandage attached) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Individually wrapped triangular bandages | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Sterile unmedicated wound dressing – Medium (No. 8) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Sterile unmedicated wound dressing – Large (No. 9) | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Sterile unmedicated wound dressing – Extra Large (No. 3) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Individually wrapped disinfectant wipes NEW 2025 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 40 |
| Paramedic shears | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Disposable examination gloves – latex-free (pairs) | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| Sterile water (where no clean running water available) | 2×20ml | 1×500ml | 2×500ml | 2×500ml |
| Water-based burns dressing – Small (10×10 cm) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Water-based burns dressing – Large | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crepe bandage (7 cm) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Foil blanket | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Vomit bag | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Hazardous waste bag | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mouth shield for CPR (pocket mask or flat face shield) UPDATED | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Pen torch NEW 2025 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Where more than 50 persons are employed, pro-rata provision should be made. Sterile water is required only where mains tap water is not readily available. In ATEX-zoned areas, use an intrinsically safe torch.
3. What Changed in the 2025 Guidelines?
The December 2024 HSA update is the most significant revision to Irish first-aid workplace guidance in many years. Here is a summary of the key changes:
| Area | 2007 Guidance | 2025 Update |
|---|---|---|
| Disinfectant wipes | Moist cleansing wipes | Disinfectant wipes — antiseptic action now required |
| Pen torch | Not required | Mandatory in every kit |
| CPR mouth shield | Face shield | Explicitly includes pocket mask or flat face shield |
| Training standard | OFA Level 5 (3-year cert) | PHECC FAR — 2-year cert, 18-hour course |
| AED guidance | Brief mention | Strongly encouraged wherever a first-aider is present; expanded maintenance requirements |
| Remote working | Not addressed | New guidance on first-aid obligations for home and hub workers |
| Emergency eye wash / showers | Not addressed | New section — required where hazardous substances present (EN 15154) |
| Aspirin | Not mentioned | Store separately near AED — not in the first-aid kit |
| Chain of Survival | 4 links | 5 links — Early Post-Resuscitation Care added |
4. How Many First Aiders Does Your Business Need?
The number of occupational first-aiders required depends on the size of your workplace, the nature of the work and the level of hazard. Your Safety Statement and risk assessment are the starting point.
| Type of Workplace | Number of Employees | First-Aiders Required |
|---|---|---|
| High hazard Factory, construction, surface mine, quarry | Up to 49 | 1 (if risk assessment shows necessary) |
| 50–149 | Minimum 1 | |
| 150–299 | Minimum 2 | |
| 300+ | 1 extra per 150 employees | |
| Underground mines | Any | 1 per 10 employees |
| Standard workplaces Office, retail, hospitality, etc. | Up to 99 | 1 (if risk assessment shows necessary) |
| 100–399 | 1 | |
| 400–699 | 2 | |
| 700+ | 1 extra per 300 employees |
First-Aider Training Requirements (2025)
The recognised minimum standard is now the PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) course, which replaced the previous OFA Level 5.
Days initial training
18 hours classroom-based. Blended learning option reduces this to 2 days.
Year certification
Reduced from 3 years. Recertification: 2-day course within 30 days of expiry.
Approved providers only
Only PHECC Recognised Institutions (RI) or Approved Training Institutions (ATI) can issue valid certificates.
The following qualifications also meet the occupational first-aid standard: Emergency First Responder (EFR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic, and Advanced Paramedic.
5. Do You Need a First Aid Room?
Not all workplaces require a dedicated first-aid room, but many do. The need is determined by your Safety Statement and risk assessment, based on:
- The size of the premises
- The type of activity being carried out
- The frequency of accidents at the workplace
- The existence of special hazards
- The distance from the nearest appropriate medical facility
As a general rule: any workplace with a relatively high hazard level should have a suitably equipped and staffed first-aid room.
Minimum Requirements for a First Aid Room
- An occupational first-aider must be responsible for maintaining the room at all times when employees are at work
- The room must be used only for first-aid or occupational health purposes
- It should be positioned close to a point of access for transport to hospital
- The entrance must be wide enough for a stretcher, ambulance trolley, wheelchair or carrying chair
- It must be clearly signed as a first-aid room with a notice showing names and locations of nearest first-aiders
- A telephone or other suitable means of communication must be provided
- Emergency contact details and the site Eircode must be visible within the room
Equipment Required in a First Aid Room
- Sink with running hot and cold water · Drinking water and disposable vessels
- First-aid equipment and suitable storage · Smooth-topped working surfaces
- Soap · Paper towels · Waste and hazardous waste facilities
- A couch with waterproof surface, cleaned pillow and blankets · A chair · A bowl or basin
- Clean protective garments for first-aiders · A first-aid treatment record book
6. AEDs — Automated External Defibrillators
The 2025 guidelines place a significantly stronger emphasis on AEDs. While there is no absolute legal requirement to have an AED in every workplace, the HSA is now explicit:
— HSA Guidelines on First-Aid at Places of Work, December 2024
In a sudden cardiac arrest, every minute without defibrillation reduces survival chances by approximately 10%. Having an AED on site — and trained staff to use it — can be the difference between life and death.
AED Placement and Maintenance Requirements
- Must not be locked away or placed in a difficult-to-access area
- If placed outdoors, must be stored in a heated cabinet
- All staff must be made aware of AED location; location must be clearly signposted
- A regular checklist programme must be in place — checking indicator lights, in-date pads and battery charge
- Equipment and accessories must be maintained per manufacturer's instructions
- Consider registering the AED location with the National Ambulance Service at nationalambulanceservice.ie/aed
AED Training
All PHECC FAR-trained first-aiders receive AED training as part of their course. Any employee can also be trained through Cardiac First Responder (CFR) Training — the more people trained, the better. For larger sites or shopping centres, the HSA recognises that employers can co-operate on a shared AED arrangement.
7. Remote and Out-of-Office Workers
The 2025 guidelines introduce dedicated guidance on first-aid obligations outside the traditional office — a significant addition reflecting how Irish working patterns have changed.
Working from Home
For low-risk desk-based work carried out at home, employees may not need anything beyond normal domestic first-aid provision. However, employers still must carry out a risk assessment, document arrangements in the Safety Statement, and provide information to employees on what to do in the event of an accident at work.
Remote Hubs and Coworking Spaces
Document whether the hub has adequate first-aid provisions in your Safety Statement. If it does not, you may need to supplement them.
Mobile and Field Workers
Where employees work away from your premises using dangerous tools, substances or in significant isolation — such as agricultural and forestry work, utilities, telecommunications, or hazardous goods transport — the employer must provide a travel first-aid kit along with any special equipment.
| Situation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Low-risk remote / home working | Risk assessment required. Normal domestic provision may suffice. |
| Remote hub / coworking space | Confirm hub provisions. Document in Safety Statement. |
| Field work with dangerous tools or substances | Travel kit (per HSA Table 1) plus any special equipment or antidotes |
| Isolated location or more than 1 hour from medical facilities | Travel kit required regardless of other hazard factors |
| Dangerous goods transport (ADR) | Travel kit with 2×500ml sterile water for eye irrigation (mandatory under ADR 8.1.5) |
| Multi-employer shared site | Written agreement on which employer provides first-aid coverage; must be communicated to all employees |
8. Emergency Showers, Eye Wash & Evacuation Equipment
Emergency Eye Wash Stations and Showers
The 2025 guidelines include a new dedicated section on emergency eye wash and shower provision. These are required wherever a workplace risk assessment identifies potential exposure to hazardous substances affecting the eyes or skin. The relevant standard is EN 15154.
Where emergency eye wash or shower equipment is provided, it must be easily accessible, clearly signposted, kept clean, regularly inspected and tested, and protected from adverse weather if outdoors.
Evacuation Equipment
- Evacuation chairs — required in multi-storey buildings for any person who cannot use stairs independently during evacuation
- Stretchers and carrying chairs — first-aid room entrances must accommodate these
- High-visibility vests — the 2025 guidelines recommend a high-vis vest be kept near the first-aid box in areas with poor illumination
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) — required for any employee with a mobility, visual or hearing impairment
9. Maintaining Your First Aid Provisions
Compliance is not a one-off exercise. The HSA requires all first-aid provisions to be regularly checked and maintained.
First Aid Kit Checks
- Check contents, condition and expiry dates regularly — replenish used or expired items promptly
- For sterile items without expiry dates, contact the manufacturer for shelf-life guidance
- Keep a record of checks — this may be requested by an HSA inspector
First-Aider Records
- Maintain written records of all first-aid treatment — date, time, injury type, treatment given and outcome
- Records must be stored securely in line with GDPR requirements
- Written records of first-aider certifications must be kept at each workplace and available for inspection
Named Responsible Person
Where no occupational first-aider is required, a named responsible person must be identified in the Safety Statement to manage first-aid equipment and take charge of any injured person until medical assistance arrives.