Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) Refresher Training

First aid training certifications typically have an expiry date requiring periodic refreshers or requalification. The validity period varies based on the training type and provider. If you feel uncertain about your first aid skills, consider taking a refresher course.

Here is an overview of the expiry date for different types of first aid courses:

• Practical First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW): Valid for three years, with an annual refresher course recommended to maintain skills.
• CPR and AED Training: These certifications last about two years, due to the need for up-to-date knowledge in these critical procedures.
• Specialised First Aid Training: Validity varies for courses specific to certain environments or scenarios.

A first aider is someone trained and certified in first aid. The number of first aiders in a workplace is determined by the employer, guided by a first aid needs assessment and HSE recommendations. A first aider’s role includes treating minor injuries, calling for emergency medical assistance, providing immediate aid in serious incidents and managing first aid equipment.

Two main types of first aid training are:

• Emergency First Aid at Work Training: For basic workplace injuries and illnesses.
• First Aid at Work Training: Covers a broader range of medical situations.

Training typically lasts three years, with annual refreshers advised. Our online EFAW course is suitable for annual updates, particularly in low-risk environments. Specialised training may be required in certain workplaces.

Based on your organisation’s first aid needs assessment, you’ll determine if you need trained first aiders and the level of training required, typically First Aid at Work (FAW), Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or specialised training. Both FAW and EFAW include practical elements and upon completion, individuals are certified as qualified first aiders. Requalification is necessary every three years, with annual refresher training advised. Our online EFAW Training is suitable for these refreshers.

EFAW Training is ideal for ‘low risk’ environments like offices, covering common first aid scenarios and emergency medical situations. Requalification covers the same content every three years.

FAW Training includes EFAW topics plus additional training for specific injuries and major illnesses like heart attacks and epilepsy. It’s more extensive, often exceeding a day, and requires requalification every three years.

No, our online EFAW refresher course is designed to be taken annually during the three year interval period when practical EFAW has taken place or it can be used as an introduction to first aid before you embark on your practical EFAW course.

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers are required to supply adequate first aid equipment, facilities and trained staff, determining what is ‘adequate and appropriate’ for their specific workplace. This applies to all workplaces, including those that are self-employed. Though not legally mandated, the HSE strongly recommends considering first aid for non-employees like the public or students in the first aid needs assessment.

Employers should assess first aid needs based on work nature, workplace size and layout, proximity to medical facilities and working hours. Basic requirements for every organisation include a stocked first aid kit, designated first aid staff that oversee workplace first aid provisions and accessible first aid information for employees.

Regular updates to first aid provisions are crucial, particularly with changes in workplace conditions or work nature. High-risk workplaces, such as offshore sites, should be aware of specific safety regulations.

Universal legislation includes:

Health and Safety At Work Act 1974

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

RIDDOR 2013

Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981

The exact number of first aiders required isn’t rigidly specified; it depends on the nature of your workplace and your employees’ roles. To determine the necessary number of first aiders or appointed first aid staff, your workplace should conduct a first aid risk assessment. By law under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must make sure they provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and trained staff are available in the workplace.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does offer guidance on how many first aiders you may need.

A first aider and a person appointed to oversee first aid provisions have distinct roles and training needs. A first aider is required to undergo formal training, like practical First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work Training, to provide medical help in case of illness or injury. However, an individual appointed to manage first aid provisions in the workplace doesn’t need formal first aid qualifications so can take our online Workplace First Aid Training. Their job is to oversee first aid resources and they may possess basic first aid knowledge, but not as extensively as a trained first aider. Their duties can also include contacting emergency services and supporting a first aider during medical emergencies.

The Heath and Safety Executive no longer provides or endorses first aid training, allowing employers more freedom in selecting training providers. Nonetheless, in compliance with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, your selection should be grounded in a first aid needs assessment and careful due diligence.

When choosing a training provider, ensure they offer:

• Expertise in first-aid training.
• Trainers with appropriate qualifications.
• Accurate and relevant course material.
• Adequate quality assurance measures.

Breaches of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 are are dealt with according to their seriousness. Enforcement actions can vary from giving a formal notice to pursuing legal action, depending on the specific circumstances.