Workplace first aid requirements

If you run or manage a workplace in Austria — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.

An employer duty — to rescue a colleague

Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Austria.

What the law requires in Austria

Austria governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.

From 5 employees per workplace, designated first-aiders must have completed at least 16 teaching units of training, with regular refreshers; the practical component is in person, while theory may be delivered online.

Region specifics

• The duty to have trained first-aiders applies from 5 workers per workplace; regular refresher training is required.

Why it matters

A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.