Updated guidance on First Aid provision

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has updated its workplace first aid standard, BS 8599-1, introducing important new guidance on Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and reinforcing the need for a risk-based approach to first aid provision.

While employers have legal duties under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations, the revised standard reflects current best practice and highlights the growing importance of rapid response to medical emergencies, particularly sudden cardiac arrest.

2 minutes away: Considering AED provision

The most significant change is the formal inclusion of AED provision within workplace first aid planning. The updated guidance recommends that workplaces with an expected occupancy of five or more people should consider providing an AED and ensuring it is accessible within approximately two minutes from any location on site.

For larger sites, warehouses or multi-building premises, this may mean considering the installation of more than one device to achieve the recommended response time.

This change reflects the fact that early defibrillation significantly improves survival rates following a cardiac arrest. Having an AED readily available can make a big difference between while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Reviewing your first aid needs assessment

The revised standard reinforces the importance of ensuring first aid arrangements are tailored to the workplace rather than relying on a generic approach. Employers should review their first aid needs assessment and consider:

• The number of people on site
• The nature of workplace activities
• Specific hazards and risks
• Site size and layout
• Visitors and contractors

The guidance also makes clear that first aid provision should consider all persons on site, not just employees.

Additional changes: Burns kits and eye wash

The updated standard also introduces clearer guidance on specialist burns kits and eyewash provision. Where risk assessments identify potential burn or eye injury hazards, employers should ensure suitable first aid equipment is available to support an effective response. This is particularly relevant to industries including catering and hospitality, manufacturing, engineering and laboratories.

Next steps for employees

With the updated guidance in place, now is a good time to review your existing first aid arrangements and ensure they reflect both workplace risks and current best practice.

For employers, it is recommended to:

• Review your first aid needs assessment
• Assess whether an AED is appropriate for your workplace
• Check AED accessibility across the site
• Review specialist first aid equipment requirements
• Ensure first aiders receive appropriate training, including CPR and AED use

The latest update represents a practical step forward in workplace safety, helping employers ensure they are prepared for both everyday injuries and life-threatening emergencies. By reviewing your workplace arrangements now, you can help protect employees, visitors and anyone else who may be on your premises.

Getting support

Whether you’re reviewing your first aid needs assessment for the first time or updating existing arrangements to align with the latest guidance, LRB Consulting Ltd can help.

Our consultants can review your site layout and AED provision, helping ensure your first aid arrangements meet the needs of your workplace. We can also deliver practical first aid, CPR and AED training to help your teams respond confidently in an emergency.

To discuss your requirements or arrange a review of your current first aid arrangements, get in touch with the LRB Consulting team today. A proactive review now could make a life-saving difference when it matters most.