The legal minimum: General Safety Regulation 3

Under General Safety Regulation 3, made in terms of the OHS Act 85 of 1993, any employer with more than five employees must have trained first aiders available during all working hours. The required ratio is straightforward:

• 1 trained first aider for every 50 employees in a general workplace
• 1 trained first aider for every 100 employees in offices and shops

This is a floor, not a ceiling. The regulation tells you the minimum number of qualified people you must have on hand — it does not tell you what level of first aid training they need. That part is determined separately, through your workplace risk assessment.

GSR 3 sets the floor — your HIRA determines the level

General Safety Regulation 3 mandates that first aiders be trained, but the appropriate level of first aid training (Level 1, 2, or 3) depends on the nature of the hazards present at your site. A low-risk office environment may only need Level 1 first aiders. A construction site, a workshop with machinery, or a facility working with hazardous chemicals will typically require higher levels of training, and possibly a greater number of first aiders than the GSR 3 minimum, based on what your Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) identifies.

In other words: GSR 3 tells you the minimum headcount. Your risk assessment tells you whether that’s actually enough, and what level of competence your first aiders need.

Working out your number

To calculate your minimum legal requirement:

1. Count your total number of employees on site.
2. Determine whether your workplace falls under the general 1:50 ratio or the office/shop 1:100 ratio.
3. Divide accordingly, rounding up to the nearest whole first aider.
4. Cross-check the result against your HIRA findings — high-risk environments often justify additional first aiders beyond the legal minimum, as a matter of practical risk management.

For example, a manufacturing facility with 120 employees would need a minimum of 3 trained first aiders (120 ÷ 50, rounded up). An office of 120 staff would need a minimum of 2 (120 ÷ 100, rounded up).

Shift work and multi-site operations

The “during all working hours” requirement means employers running shift patterns need enough trained first aiders to meet the ratio on every shift — not just during normal office hours. If your operation spans multiple sites, each site needs to independently meet the GSR 3 minimum based on the number of employees present there.

What happens if you don’t comply

A Department of Labour inspection that finds insufficient first aider coverage is a straightforward compliance gap with no ambiguity to argue around — GSR 3 is explicit. Beyond the regulatory risk, inadequate first aid coverage delays response to workplace injuries, which can affect both outcomes for the injured employee and your organisation’s incident reporting obligations under Section 24 of the OHS Act.

Choosing the right level for your first aiders

Once you know how many first aiders you need, the next question is what level of training they require. Read our breakdown of First Aid Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3 to match the right qualification to your workplace risk profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does GSR 3 apply to small businesses?

The five-employee threshold means most registered businesses fall under this requirement. Once you employ more than five people, you need at least one trained first aider available during working hours.

Can the same person be a first aider and a fire fighter?

Yes, an employee can hold multiple safety roles, including first aider and fire fighter, provided they are appropriately trained and certified for each function and can realistically fulfil both during an emergency.

Does GSR 3 specify which first aid level is required?

No. GSR 3 sets the minimum number of trained first aiders required by headcount. The level of training (1, 2, or 3) is determined by your workplace’s risk assessment, not by GSR 3 itself.

Book accredited first aid training

Altramed is registered with HWSETA and the Department of Labour to deliver First Aid Level 1, 2 and 3 training across South Africa. Book your First Aid training — call 086 111 1504 or visit www.altramed.co.za.