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.