What the law says

The French Labour Code requires at least one employee trained in first aid in every workshop where dangerous work is carried out, and on sites with at least 20 workers for more than 15 days with dangerous work (article R. 4224-15). Everywhere else, the employer must organise first aid, with no set quota.

A simple method in 4 questions

  • How many separate sites, buildings or floors? Each needs a first aider who can be reached quickly.
  • What working hours? Every shift, morning, afternoon, night and weekend, needs at least one SST.
  • What absences? Holidays, sick leave, travel and remote work reduce the number of first aiders actually present: plan a margin.
  • What risks? The more exposed the activity (machinery, building sites, public), the more first aiders you need.

An example

A company with 60 employees on one site, two shifts and a production workshop: at least two SST per shift to cover absences, and one SST in the workshop on each shift, so around six trained first aiders.

Plan the refresher

The SST certificate is valid for 24 months. Schedule the MAC SST refresher (7 hours) in advance so you never end up with first aiders whose certificates have expired.