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In late 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) updated its guidance on workplace first aid responsibilities – and while not sweeping legislation, the shift reflects growing expectations around AED use, risk assessment, and training standards.
Whether you’re running an SME, managing a school, or overseeing a large site, here’s what you need to know – and how to stay compliant without breaking the bank.
While AEDs (defibrillators) still aren’t a legal requirement, the HSE’s 2025 update strongly recommends them for workplaces with:
Large staff or visitor numbers
Delays in ambulance response times
Higher physical risk (e.g. factories, gyms, construction sites)
Tip: Investing in a reliable model like the ViVest PowerBeat X1 AED or ViVest PowerBeat X3 AED can meet these expectations affordably – especially with paediatric mode now included.
HSE now expects that your First Aid Needs Assessment (required under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981) includes:
The distance to and availability of AEDs
Whether your first aiders are trained in their use
How visible and accessible your AED is
👉 Need help assessing this? Contact us – we offer no-obligation support and recommendations for your sector.
While the HSE stops short of requiring defibrillators, it expects that any AED onsite is:
Regularly checked and documented
Clearly signed (e.g. with directional wall signs)
Accessible – not locked away or restricted during working hours
📦 A wall-mounted AED cabinet ensures your defibrillator is both protected and visible, improving accessibility and demonstrating compliance.
The HSE now encourages employers to ensure that AED use is included in first aid training, even for smaller teams. You don’t legally need to be certified to use an AED, but a confident response could save a life.
📚 Consider booking a FAIB-accredited course that covers CPR and AED use. It shows you’re acting responsibly and boosts employee readiness. Explore our training options.
The HSE isn’t demanding businesses rush out and install AEDs, but the writing is on the wall. Workplace expectations are rising, and failing to meet them could carry reputational, legal, or insurance risks.
Installing and maintaining a defibrillator is a small investment compared to the value of showing due diligence and saving a life.
We supply defibrillators, wall cabinets, training courses, signage, and support for UK businesses looking to meet the latest HSE guidance confidently.
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