How Many Staff Need First Aid Training?

Why It Matters

At My First Aid Course Brisbane, we believe first aid training is essential for everyone. But when it comes to businesses, figuring out the right number of first aid officers can be tricky!

Our calculator is designed to help you estimate how many people need first aid training at your workplace. While it’s based on expert recommendations, always cross-check with safety regulations to ensure compliance.

How to Work Out How Many Employees to Train

At My First Aid Course Brisbane, we believe first aid training is a skill everyone should have. It saves lives, plain and simple. But we get it—training your entire team isn’t always practical for businesses. So how do you figure out how many first aiders you actually need?

Things to Consider:

1. Minimum Ratios:
   While safety regulations provide guidelines for the minimum number of first aid officers to staff, these are just the basics.
   
   Low-Risk Workplaces (e.g., offices, retail):
   Minimal physical hazards, but it’s still essential to have at least one trained first aider available.
   
   High-Risk Workplaces (e.g., manufacturing, construction, warehouses):
   These involve machinery, hazardous materials, or potential accidents, making a higher ratio of trained first aiders critical.
   
   High-Risk Remote Workplaces (e.g., mining operations, offshore drilling, or remote construction):
   In these environments, hazards are heightened, and access to emergency services can be significantly delayed. Training every team member in advanced first aid is often necessary to manage serious incidents until help arrives.
   
   
2. Backup for Sick Days and Holidays:
   If your only trained first aider is off for the day, who will step up in an emergency? Planning for absences ensures your workplace is always covered.
   
   
3. Shift Work:
   For workplaces running multiple shifts, you’ll need to make sure each shift has a suitable amount of first aiders.
   
   
4. If you work alone
   In industries like transport or remote jobs, more training may be essential. For example, a transport company might choose to train all truck drivers individually because they are often by themself.