Overview
In Great Britain, employers must provide adequate first-aid arrangements under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance describes an optional four-layer framework of provision: appointed person, emergency first aid at work (EFAW), first aid at work (FAW), and additional training. This is workplace first-aid training rather than a single national exam, and the HSE ended its approval of first-aid training providers with the 2013 amendment to the regulations, so courses come from providers the employer chooses.
Who can apply
A first-aider is someone trained to a level suited to the workplace who holds a valid certificate of competence in first aid at work, emergency first aid at work, or another appropriate level of training. Employers use their first-aid needs assessment to decide the level and the number of first-aiders; there are no fixed rules on numbers.
Levels or stages
Emergency first aid at work (EFAW): lets a first-aider give emergency first aid to someone injured or taken ill at work.
First aid at work (FAW): includes the EFAW syllabus and also equips the first-aider to deal with a range of specific injuries and illnesses.
After the exam
First-aid-at-work certificates last three years. First-aiders need to take a requalification course before expiry to get another three-year certificate, and once a certificate expires the person is no longer considered competent to act as a workplace first-aider. HSE strongly recommends annual refresher training.
FAQs
How long is a First Aid at Work certificate valid?
Three years. A requalification course is needed before it expires.
Does the HSE approve first-aid training providers?
No. HSE's approval of first-aid training providers ended with the 2013 amendment to regulation 3(2); employers choose a provider, and HSE publishes guidance on selecting one.