So which course is best for me?

What the law requires

Every employer including the self employed must make appropriate first aid provision for their staff. The self employed top to make provision for themselves. This is level of provision is identified by a risk assessment. Full details are included in the First aid at work. The Health and safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, approved code of practice (ACOP) which can be downloaded free. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide an online assessment tool.

Low hazard businesses
Such as offices and shops

Less than 25 employees

You must have at least one appointed person. I recommend that an appointed member staff attend a minimum of a one half day Appointed Person Training Course. The roles of this appointed person includes looking after the first-aid equipment and facilities, getting appropriate help including calling the emergency services when required, recoding incidents. It is helpful if they are also able to carry out a risk assessment for the employer to identify the level of first aid provision required. An appointed person may not administer first aid. Where possible I would always suggest that the appointed person does complete a full Emergency First Aid at Work course. (EFAW)

25-50 employees

The HSE recommend that you have at least one first-aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) This is a one day certificated course and qualifies the candidate to administer first aid in the workplace. You also need to know how you will provide adequate cover where there is shift work or the first aider is on holiday. It might be acceptable for an appointed person to cover short unforeseen circumstances.

More than 50 Employees

The HSE recommend that you have at least one first-aider trained in First Aid at Work (FAW). You should have one FAW trained first aider for every 100 members of staff or part thereof. Cover must be maintained during shift work and holidays. FAW is a three day course.

Higher Hazard business
Such as light engineering, food processing, warehousing, chemical manufacture, construction, work with dangerous machinery etc.

Less than 5 employees

You must have at least one appointed person. I recommend that an appointed member staff attend a minimum of a one half day Appointed Person Training Course. The roles of this appointed person includes looking after the first-aid equipment and facilities, getting appropriate help including calling the emergency services when required, recoding incidents. It is helpful if they are also able to carry out a risk assessment for the employer to identify the level of first aid provision required. An appointed person may not administer first aid. Where possible I would always suggest that the appointed person does complete a full Emergency First Aid at Work course. (EFAW)

5-50 Employees

The HSE recommend that you have at least one first-aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) This is a one day certificated course and qualifies the candidate to administer first aid in the workplace. You also need to know how you will provide adequate cover where there is shift work or the first aider is on holiday. It might be acceptable for an appointed person to cover short unforeseen circumstances.

More than 50 employees

The HSE recommend that you have at least one first-aider trained in First Aid at Work (FAW). You should have one FAW trained first aider for every 50 members of staff or part thereof. Cover must be maintained during shift work and holidays. FAW is a three day course.

Duty of care and professional registration

Young Children

If you are working with young children in the absence of the parents you are probably Ofsted registered and need to be trained in Paediatric First Aid. You do not need the full QCF framework award but for the sake of a simple examination you may wish to upgrade your qualification. This course is ideal for child minders, nannies, pre-school and primary school staff or uniformed clubs working with pre-pubescent children.

Complimentary Health Practitioners

Practitioners work in the fields of Massage, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Chiropractic, Yoga etc.

Unless otherwise stated in your registration or insurance documentation, the completion of an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification will enable you to deal with most incidents and demonstrate and adequate duty of care to your clients. Where a practitioner finds themselves dealing with incidents on a more frequent basis they should undertake the 3 day First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification.

Dental nurses and staff assisting health practitioners

Subject to what may be stated in your registration or insurance documentation, a course in Basic Life Support (BSL) may be adequate. Where a surgery has an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) staff should attend an AED Training Course. This will also cover Basic Life Support (BSL). Where a practice finds themselves dealing with frequent incidents it may be appropriate for staff to complete the one day EFAW or the three day FAW course. These should also be supplemented with AED training where the equipment is available.

Care Workers

Subject to what may be stated in your registration or insurance documentation, owing to the higher risks associated with this kind of work, car workers should undertake the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course. Larger homes without a trained nurse may consider it advisable to have a first aider who hold a valid First Aid at Work certificate

Sports

Riding, Rugby, Football, Athletes etc.

Subject the requirements of your association, the more high risk sports should have good first aid provision. Frequently it is those taking part in the sport that are going to be present when an incident occurs. The Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course will give participants the skills to deal most incidents and care for a casualty whilst the emergency services are summoned. For larger gatherings it is recommended that a first aider holding a First Aid at Work certificate (FAW) be present. Large events may require attendance by an organisation able to provide event cover. When attending a training course make the trainer aware of the sport in which you are involved. They will often be able to give you additional guidance in relation to that activity.