Lesson 5.2 · 6 min
First aid: how many first aiders, how often to refresh
Open in the coursewith narrated slides, a checklist to tick off and a quiz
At a glance
- Arrangements for first aid. Employers make sure first aid can be given in case of injury or sudden illness: with supplies, instructions and trained people.
- One person up to 19, in offices up to 29. Up to 19 workers present at the same time, one first aider; from 20, two; one more for each further 10. In offices: up to 29 one, from 30 two, one more for each further 20.
- 16 hours from five workers. From five workers regularly present at the same time, a course of at least 16 hours to the Red Cross curriculum, or equivalent, is needed.
- 8 hours every 4 years. First aiders take a refresher of at least eight hours at most every four years, or in parts, at least four hours every two years.
- During opening hours. During operating hours, enough first aiders must be present for the number of people there. Supplies must be easy to reach and marked.
In detail
What the ASchG requires
Employers must make suitable arrangements so that first aid can be given in case of injury or sudden illness § 26(1) ASchG. Adequate and suitable supplies and equipment, with instructions, must be available; where they are kept must be easy to reach, clearly visible and permanently marked § 26(2) ASchG. Enough people responsible for first aid and adequately trained in it must be appointed, and during operating hours enough of them must be present for the number of people there § 26(3) ASchG. First-aid rooms are needed with more than 250 regular workers, or where special conditions require them § 26(4) ASchG.
How many first aiders
The Workplace Regulation sets the minimum number of people with documented first-aid training § 40(1) AStV:
| Workers regularly present at the same time | General (no. 1) | Offices and comparable workplaces (no. 2) |
|---|---|---|
| up to 19 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 to 29 | 2 | 1 |
| 30 to 39 | 3 | 2 |
| 40 to 49 | 4 | 2 |
| above that | one more per further 10 | one more per further 20 |
Training and refreshers
- In workplaces with at least five workers regularly present at the same time, the training must be at least 16 hours to the Austrian Red Cross curriculum, or at least equivalent, such as that of the armed forces § 40(2) AStV.
- In workplaces with fewer than five workers, until 1 January 2015 a course of at least six hours in life-saving first measures, as required for a driving licence, was enough; since then the first aider must also take a first-aid refresher under subsection 3 § 40(2) AStV.
- First aiders must take a refresher of at least eight hours at intervals of no more than four years; it can be split into at least four hours at intervals of no more than two years. The occupational physician may also give the refresher, without it counting towards prevention time § 40(3) AStV.
Checklist
- We have enough trained first aiders for our number of workers.
- A first aider is present during holidays and on every shift.
- The training certificates are on file.
- The last refresher was no more than four years ago, or two years with the split version.
- First-aid supplies are complete, easy to reach and marked.
Quiz
How many first aiders does an office with 25 workers regularly present at the same time need at least?
- Three
- None
- Two
- One
Show the answer
The answer is D: One. § 40(1) no. 2 AStV: in offices and comparable workplaces, one person is enough with up to 29 workers regularly present at the same time.
Sources
This lesson's statements rest on:
Not legal advice. What counts is the Workers Protection Act (ASchG) and its regulations in the Federal Legal Information System (read on 4 October 2026). Rules for areas outside the ASchG, such as agriculture and forestry or the public service, and special rules for particular substances or sectors are not covered. Not an offer of the Labour Inspectorate, the AUVA or the Chamber of Commerce.