Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and people. What counts as “adequate” depends on your workplace, which is why the first step is a first aid needs assessment.
Start with a needs assessment
Consider the size of your workforce, the type of work you do, the hazards involved, how far you are from emergency services, whether you have shift workers or lone workers, and whether members of the public visit. The outcome tells you how many first aiders you need and which qualification they should hold. There is no single fixed ratio that suits every workplace.
First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work?
- First Aid at Work (FAW) is a three-day Level 3 qualification, normally 18 hours of training. It suits higher-risk workplaces and larger organisations, and covers a wider range of illnesses and injuries.
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a one-day Level 3 qualification, normally seven hours. It suits lower-risk workplaces and covers the essentials, including CPR, choking, bleeding and unresponsive casualties.
Keeping certificates current
Both certificates are valid for three years. The Health and Safety Executive recommends that first aiders attend an annual refresher to keep their skills and confidence up, and requalification should be booked before the certificate expires.
Beyond the course
Good first aid provision also means clearly stocked first aid kits, a named person in charge of arrangements, an accident book, and colleagues who know who their first aiders are.