A practical guide to workplace first aider requirements

If you are an HR manager, Safety Officer or employer in Malaysia, you may have asked:

How many trained first aiders does my company need?

The answer depends on your workplace risk level, number of workers and shift arrangements.

The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) provides guidance in its Guidelines on First Aid in the Workplace (2nd Edition), 2004. The guideline remains listed by DOSH as an Occupational Health guidance document.

How Many First Aiders Are Needed?

The DOSH guideline provides the following general guide:

Workplace

Number of Workers

First Aiders

Low-risk

Less than 20

1

Low-risk

21–150

2

Low-risk

More than 150

2 per 150 workers or part thereof

High-risk

Less than 20

1 per shift

High-risk

20 or more

1 per 20 workers or part thereof

Low-risk workplaces may include typical offices, while examples of high-risk workplaces include chemical plants, shipyards and construction sites.

Examples: How Many First Aiders Does Your Company Need?

15 employees in an office

1 first aider

50 employees in an office

2 first aiders

120 employees in an office

2 first aiders

20 workers in a high-risk workplace

1 first aider for every 20 workers or part thereof

The actual arrangement should also consider the nature of the work and workplace conditions.

What About Shift Work?

This is an important consideration for factories, warehouses and other businesses operating multiple shifts.

DOSH states that workplaces with shift work should have sufficient first aiders for each shift based on the applicable workplace category.

For example, having two trained first aiders who only work during the day may not provide adequate coverage for a company operating a night shift.

First-aid coverage should be available when your employees are actually working.

Who Should Be a Workplace First Aider?

A good first aider should be:

  • Appropriately trained
  • Available at the workplace
  • Able to respond quickly during an emergency
  • Familiar with the company’s emergency procedures

Companies should also maintain records of first-aid training and refresher training.

The DOSH guideline states that recognized first-aiders should undergo a course once every three years.

First Aid Training Should Include Practical Skills

Workplace first aid is not just about obtaining a certificate.

Depending on the programme, training may cover:

First Aid • CPR • AED • Choking • Bleeding • Burns • Fractures • Medical Emergencies

Practical hands-on training helps participants develop the confidence and skills needed to respond during an actual emergency.

Does Your Company Have Enough First Aiders?

Ask yourself:

1. How many employees do we have?

2. Is our workplace low-risk or high-risk?

3. Do we operate more than one shift?

4. Are trained first aiders available during every working shift?

5. Are our first-aid training records up to date?

If you are unsure about your company’s requirements, reviewing these five questions is a good starting point.

Workplace First Aid Training in Malaysia

⁠Life Saving Professional Academy provides First Aid, CPR and AED training for companies and organisations across Malaysia.

We provide practical training for:

  • Offices
  • Factories
  • Schools
  • Construction sites
  • Organisations
  • Corporate workplaces

Need to train your workplace first aiders?

👉 Contact LSPA for Corporate First Aid Training

Frequently Asked Questions

How many first aiders does an office need in Malaysia?

For a low-risk workplace, the DOSH guideline provides 1 first aider for fewer than 20 workers and 2 first aiders for 21–150 workers.

How many first aiders does a factory need?

It depends on the workplace risk classification and number of workers. High-risk workplaces have a different first-aider ratio.

Does every shift need a first aider?

DOSH states that sufficient first-aider coverage should be provided for each shift where shift work is involved.

How often should first aiders be retrained?

The DOSH guideline states that recognized first aiders should undergo a course once every three years.

Source: Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Guidelines on First Aid in the Workplace (2nd Edition), 2004.