First Aid at Work: What Irish Law Requires
Every Irish workplace has a legal duty to provide first aid. Here is what Part 7 of the General Application Regulations actually asks of employers, and how to meet it without guesswork.
First aid is one of the most practical parts of Irish health and safety law, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many employers assume a green box on the wall is enough, while others over-provide because they are unsure what the rules actually say. The reality sits in two pieces of legislation: the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Part 7 of the 2007 Regulations deals specifically with first aid, and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the regulator that enforces it.
This guide walks through what the law expects, who needs to be trained, what equipment you must keep, and how to record it all so that an inspection holds no surprises.
The legal foundation
The Act of 2005 sets the broad duty: an employer must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of employees. First aid is one of the welfare measures that flows directly from this duty. Part 7 of the 2007 Regulations then translates the principle into concrete obligations.
In plain terms, an employer must provide first-aid equipment, facilities and, where the workplace risk requires it, trained occupational first-aiders. The level of provision is not fixed by a single national rule. Instead, it is driven by the hazards present in your particular workplace.
First aid provision is risk-based, not one-size-fits-all. The law expects you to match your response to the dangers you have actually identified.
The first-aid needs assessment
The cornerstone of compliance is the first-aid needs assessment. This is a structured look at your workplace to decide what first-aid cover is appropriate. It is closely linked to the risk assessment you already maintain as part of your safety statement, and many employers run the two together.
A sound needs assessment considers:
- The nature of the work and the specific hazards involved, such as machinery, chemicals, working at height or food preparation.
- The size of the workforce and how people are distributed across the site.
- Whether work is carried out across multiple floors, buildings or remote locations.
- Shift patterns, lone working and the presence of members of the public.
- How quickly emergency services could reach the site, and the history of accidents and incidents.
The outcome of the assessment tells you how many first-aiders you need, what equipment to stock and whether a dedicated first-aid room is warranted. It should be written down, dated and reviewed whenever the work or the workforce changes.
Occupational first-aiders
Where the assessment shows a need, you must appoint and train occupational first-aiders. These are employees who hold a recognised occupational first aid qualification and who are available during working hours to respond to injury or sudden illness.
A trained occupational first-aider can do far more than apply a plaster. They can manage bleeding, support a casualty who is unconscious, recognise the signs of a serious medical event and take charge in the critical minutes before an ambulance arrives. Their certification needs to be kept current through refresher training, so it is wise to track expiry dates alongside your other safety records.
First Aid training from €35
Self-paced, HSA-aligned, certificate the same day — €35 per person.
Kits, equipment and facilities
Every workplace needs first-aid equipment that suits its risks. For most lower-risk settings this means a well-stocked first-aid kit, kept in a clearly marked and accessible location, with someone responsible for checking and replenishing it.
Higher-risk workplaces may need additional items identified by the needs assessment, and in some cases a dedicated first-aid room with hand-washing facilities, a couch and ready access by stretcher. Whatever you provide, employees must know where it is and how to raise the alarm.
- Keep kits in a visible, signposted spot and free from clutter.
- Assign a named person to inspect contents and restock used items.
- Remove anything out of date and replace it promptly.
- Make sure cover extends to every shift, not just the day team.
Records and information
Good record-keeping protects both employees and the business. You should record incidents and the first aid given, keep training certificates on file, and tell employees who the first-aiders are and how to contact them. A simple notice listing first-aiders and the location of equipment satisfies much of the duty to inform.
If you are unsure whether your current arrangements measure up, a short review of your needs assessment is the fastest way to find the gaps. You can also explore our wider course catalogue to build a complete safety programme for your team.
Key takeaways
- First aid is required under the 2005 Act and Part 7 of the 2007 General Application Regulations, enforced by the HSA.
- A written first-aid needs assessment decides the level of cover for your specific workplace.
- Where the risk requires it, you must appoint and train occupational first-aiders and keep their certification current.
- Provide accessible, well-stocked kits and keep clear records of incidents, training and the names of first-aiders.
Meeting the first-aid duty is rarely expensive or complicated once you approach it methodically. Start with the needs assessment, train the right number of people, keep your equipment in order and write it all down. Our online First Aid course from €35is HSA-aligned and self-paced, so you can put trained responders in place quickly and confidently.
