How Many First Aiders Does Your Workplace Need in Singapore? MOM Requirements Explained

Q: Must first aiders be available during night shifts?

Yes. Where shift work applies, the prescribed first-aider ratio must be maintained for persons working on each shift.

Workplace First Aid | Singapore Compliance Guide

In Singapore, workplaces with more than 25 persons employed must generally appoint trained first aiders at a ratio of at least one first aider for every 100 persons employed, or part thereof. The requirement comes from the Workplace Safety and Health (First-Aid) Regulations.

Quick answer: A workplace with 30 employees needs at least one appointed first aider. A workplace with 150 employees needs at least two. However, meeting the numerical requirement is only part of compliance. Appointed first aiders must also be appropriately trained and readily available during working hours.

For employers, HR managers and workplace safety officers, understanding these requirements helps ensure that staff can receive appropriate assistance when an emergency occurs.

1. How Many First Aiders Are Required in Singapore?

Regulation 5 of Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (First-Aid) Regulations requires workplaces employing more than 25 people to appoint first aiders according to a ratio of one for every 100 persons employed, or part thereof.

More Than 25 Employees

Appoint at least one trained first aider for every 100 persons employed, or part thereof. The required first aiders must be readily available during working hours.

The following examples illustrate the minimum staffing requirement.

Persons Employed	Minimum Appointed First Aiders
1–25	No mandatory appointment under Regulation 5(1)
26–100	1 first aider
101–200	2 first aiders
201–300	3 first aiders
301–400	4 first aiders
401–500	5 first aiders

For example, a company with 120 persons employed at one workplace requires at least two appointed first aiders. The additional 20 people count as part of another group of 100.

Important distinction: The first-aider appointment threshold does not mean smaller workplaces are exempt from all first aid duties. The Regulations require every workplace to provide sufficient first aid boxes. Hospitals and medical clinics are excluded from these particular Regulations and operate under their applicable requirements.

2. What If Your Workplace Operates in Shifts?

A common oversight is appointing enough first aiders on paper without checking whether they are actually available throughout working hours.

Regulation 5(3) requires the prescribed first-aider ratio to be maintained for persons working on each shift.

Consider a workplace employing 120 people, with 75 working the morning shift and 45 working the night shift.

Both shifts must have appropriately trained first aiders available. A first aider who works only during office hours cannot provide the required coverage for a night shift.

Employers should also plan for annual leave, medical leave, meal breaks and staff transfers.

3. When Is a Workplace First Aid Room Required?

Regulation 6 generally requires a first aid room when more than 500 persons are at work in a workplace, unless the Commissioner permits otherwise in writing.

The room must meet the approved standard. Employers should distinguish this requirement from the separate first-aider staffing ratio.

Smaller workplaces still need sufficient, accessible first aid boxes, even when a dedicated first aid room is not required.

4. Five Steps to Maintain Adequate First Aid Coverage

Calculate Your Workplace Headcount

Determine the number of persons employed at each workplace and calculate the required number of first aiders. Review staffing changes and confirm which legal requirements apply.

Check Coverage Across All Shifts

Review actual work rosters rather than relying solely on employee names. Ensure appointed first aiders are readily available whenever the workplace is operating.

Verify Training and Certificate Validity

Appointed first aiders must complete training acceptable to the Commissioner and undergo required retraining. Check certificate validity and arrange refresher training before expiry.

Maintain First Aid Equipment and Records

Ensure first aid boxes are properly stocked, checked regularly and accessible. Display the names of appointed first aiders and maintain records of first aid treatment as required.

Practise Emergency Response Arrangements

Make sure employees know whom to contact, where first aid equipment is located and how to call 995. Practise communication, casualty access and handover procedures.

5. Which First Aid Course Should Appointed First Aiders Take?

Singapore’s appointed workplace first aiders generally attend an Occupational First Aid (OFA) course recognised for workplace requirements.

SERA’s Occupational First Aid (Full) course covers workplace injuries, medical emergencies, CPR and AED use.

The full course takes three days. SERA’s Occupational First Aid certification is valid for two years.

Employees holding valid OFA certification can consider the Occupational First Aid Refresher . Those whose certificates have expired should confirm their eligibility before registering.

Do not confuse general CPR training with workplace first-aider appointment.

A short CPR+AED programme develops valuable lifesaving skills, but it should not automatically be treated as equivalent to the Occupational First Aid training required for appointed workplace first aiders.

Employers should verify that the chosen programme meets their applicable regulatory and operational needs.

6. What Else Should Employers Prepare?

First aider staffing is an essential part of emergency preparedness, but trained personnel also need appropriate equipment and procedures.

Every workplace must provide sufficient first aid boxes. Where workplaces occupy multiple floors, each floor must have sufficient first aid boxes.

Employers should keep equipment accessible, replace unusable supplies and conduct regular checks.

For suspected life-threatening emergencies, employees should know how to activate SCDF’s emergency medical services by calling 995.

Workplace risks should also be considered when planning emergency arrangements. For additional guidance, see SERA’s article on workplace vehicular incidents and emergency readiness .

Relevant SERA First Aid Training

Occupational First Aid (Full)

Designed for appointed workplace first aiders who require comprehensive first aid, CPR and AED training.

Explore OFA →

Occupational First Aid Refresher

Refresh workplace first aid skills and maintain certification if you hold a valid OFA certificate.

Explore Refresher →

CPR + AED

Supplementary lifesaving training for employees who want to recognise cardiac arrest and use an AED.

Explore CPR + AED →

Ensure Your Workplace Has Trained First Aiders

Whether you need to train newly appointed first aiders or renew existing certifications, SERA provides practical workplace first aid training.

Our team can help organisations explore suitable training arrangements for their employees.

Request Corporate Training

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does a workplace with fewer than 25 employees need a first aider?

Regulation 5(1) does not mandate appointed first aiders for workplaces employing 25 persons or fewer. However, sufficient first aid boxes are still required.

2. How many first aiders are needed for 30 employees?

A workplace with 30 persons employed requires at least one appointed first aider.

3. How many first aiders are required for 150 employees?

At least two appointed first aiders are required under the one-per-100 ratio.

4. Must first aiders be available during night shifts?

Yes. Where shift work applies, the required first-aider ratio must be maintained for persons working on each shift.

5. Can someone with only CPR+AED certification be an appointed first aider?

Not automatically. Appointed first aiders must complete training acceptable to the Commissioner. Occupational First Aid is the relevant workplace training pathway.

6. How long is Occupational First Aid certification valid?

SERA’s Occupational First Aid certification is valid for two years. Arrange refresher training before your certificate expires.

7. Does every workplace need a first aid room?

No. A first aid room is generally required where more than 500 persons are at work, unless otherwise permitted by the Commissioner in writing.

Official Sources and Further Reading

This article provides general information about workplace first aid requirements. Employers should refer to the prevailing legislation and relevant regulators when determining their compliance obligations.