First Aid Requirements for Security Personnel in the UK

For ACS compliance, this is important. Security guards are often the first on the scene when medical emergencies occur on their sites. Understanding the first aid requirements for your team isn’t just a legal obligation — it can save lives and significantly strengthen your service offering to clients.

Legal Requirements

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate first aid provision for their employees. For security companies, this means assessing first aid needs based on the nature of the work, the size of the team, and the locations where guards are deployed.

The assessment should consider workplace hazards, the number of employees, shift patterns, distance from emergency medical services, and any specific risks at client sites. Higher-risk environments like construction sites or industrial premises may require more comprehensive first aid training.

Training Options

The three main training levels are Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW), a one-day course covering life-threatening emergencies; First Aid at Work (FAW), a three-day comprehensive course; and specialist modules such as mental health first aid or defibrillator training.

At minimum, security guards should hold EFAW certification. Many clients, particularly in healthcare, education, and events sectors, expect FAW as standard. Certificates are valid for three years, and annual refresher training is strongly recommended to maintain skills.

Equipment and Records

Each guard deployed to a site should have access to an appropriate first aid kit. Mobile guards should carry a personal first aid kit in their patrol bag. All first aid incidents must be recorded in the site’s accident book, and employers should maintain a central log of all qualified first aiders and their certification expiry dates.

Making First Aid a Differentiator

Companies that invest in FAW training for all guards often find it becomes a competitive advantage. When pitching to clients, being able to guarantee that every guard on their site is a qualified first aider adds tangible value beyond standard security provision. It also demonstrates professionalism and duty of care that can justify premium pricing.

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