People at work can suffer injuries or be taken ill. It doesn’t matter whether the injury or illness is caused by the work they do or not, it is important to give them immediate attention and call an ambulance in serious cases. First aid at work covers the arrangements you should make to ensure this happens. It can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones.

If you have identified that first-aiders are needed in your workplace, they must have a valid certificate of competence in FAW or emergency first aid at work (EFAW). EFAW training enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work. FAW training includes EFAW and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses. The findings of the first-aid needs assessment can help you decide whether your first-aiders should be trained in FAW or EFAW.

FAW courses involve at least 18 hours of training and are run over a minimum of three days.

EFAW lasts for at least six hours of training and is run over a minimum of one day.

FAW and EFAW certificates last for three years. Before their certificates expire, first-aiders will need to undertake an FAW requalification course or an EFAW course, as appropriate, to obtain another three-year certificate.

HSE strongly recommends that first-aiders undertake annual refresher training, over half a day, during any three-year FAW/EFAW certification period. Although not mandatory, this will help qualified first-aiders maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes to first-aid procedures. The training organisations referred to above can run annual refresher courses.

EFAW

The Emergency First Aid at Work course was introduced with the Health and Safety Executive's legislation changes in October 2009. The course is suitable for those looking to support a fully qualified first aider. As the course is only run over 1 day, the key areas from the 3 day course are covered.

Purpose of the course

An emergency first aider is expected to support the full first aider and deal with emergencies in lower risk environments. Training includes the key areas of first aid but doesn't contain some of the more in depth information you will learn on a full First Aid at Work course. We recommend that you carry out a needs assessment to determine the most likely emergencies in your workplace, and in turn, make sure your first aiders are trained correctly.

Who should attend

Emergency First Aid at Work is for those working in lower risk environments looking to support full first aiders. If you are in a lower risk workplace, you may benefit from learning the basic key areas of first aid from this course. We recommend you carry out a needs assessment prior to deciding which course is more suitable.

Duration

The Emergency First Aid at Work course is usually run over 1 day.

Course Content

•    Health and safety (first aid) regulations
•    Managing an incident
•    The priorities of first aid
•    Treatment of an unconscious casualty
•    Resuscitation
•    Shock
•    Choking
•    Seizures
•    Bleeding
•    Common workplace injuries.

After continual assessment from the trainer, successful candidates will receive a Health and Safety Executive approved Emergency First Aid at Work certificate, valid for 3 years.