The HSE stopped approving trainers years ago. However, employers who do not have proper first aid procedures in place may find themselves in trouble. First Aid at Work is the ‘Off-the-Shelf’ course for the workplace.
First Aid at Work, or FAW, gives people a basic knowledge and understanding of first aid. Hopefully, after training, they can deal with most workplace emergencies.
If you have a responsibility at work, or as a volunteer, to provide first aid cover, this is for you.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
For the purposes of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, this is the standard. It is also highly relevant for a wide range of other situations.
FAW is for larger, higher risk workplaces, and is ideal for anyone wishing to gain a recognised first aid qualification. There is a shorter requalification where a learner holds a valid FAW certificate.
There are no formal entry requirements.
Assessment
There are 2 Units:
- Unit 1 – Emergency First Aid at Work
- Unit 2 – Recognition and Management of workplace illness and injury
Candidates must pass the assessments carried out by observation, and achieve a pass in the Multi-choice paper.
Learning Outcomes
Unit 1 – Emergency First Aid at Work
- Understand the role and responsibilities of a first aider.*
- Be able to assess an emergency situation safely.*
- Be able to provide first aid to a casualty who is unresponsive and breathing normally.*
- Be able to provide first aid for a casualty who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.*
- Be able to provide first aid for a casualty who is choking.*
- Be able to provide first aid to a casualty with external bleeding.
- Be able to provide first aid to a casualty who is suffering from shock.
- Understand how to administer first aid to a casualty with minor injuries.
Unit 2 – Illness and Injury in the Workplace
- Be able to conduct a secondary survey.
- Be able to administer first aid to a casualty with injuries to bones, muscles and joints.
- Be able to administer first aid to a casualty with a head, neck or back injury.
- Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with suspected chest injuries.
- Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with burns and scalds.
- Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with a eye injury.
- Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with sudden poisoning.
- Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with anaphylaxis.
- Be able to provide First Aid to a casualty with suspected major illness
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Asthma
- Diabetes
NB For the 6 hour, Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course, only Unit 1 is necessary. This course is only suitable for smaller, lower risk workplaces.
NB For the 3 hour, Basic Life Support (BLS) course, only those items marked * are necessary