First Aid at Work (RQF)

First Aid at Work (RQF)

30 years teaching first aid, 15 years front line experience, 8 years medical cover at major sporting events. 20 years working and managing heavy industrial workplace.

Where a first aid needs assessment identifies the necessity for a first aider in the workplace, this three-day qualification meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982.

The learner will gain the knowledge and practical competence required to deal with a wide range of workplace first aid situations.

The qualification is also suitable for people with responsibility for the provision of first aid in other settings such as voluntary and community groups.

Face to face

• Role and responsibilities of a first aider
• Aims of First Aid
• Legislation
• Infection control
• First Aid Kits
• Consent to provide first aid
• Casualty communication
• Recording incidents and GDPR
• Assess an emergency situation safely 
• Scene survey
• Primary survey
• Summoning appropriate assistance
• Unconscious casualties
• Recovery Position
• Adult Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 
• Paediatric Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Seizures
• Choking
• Shock
• Bleeding
• Life threatening bleeding
• Small cuts  
• Grazes 
• Bruises 
• Small splinters 
• Nosebleeds
• Burns including chemicals and electrical
• Scalds
• Secondary survey
• Head to toe survey
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Sprains and strains
• Head injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Chest injuries
• Eye injuries
• Poisoning
• Anaphylaxis
• Use of an adrenaline auto-injector
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Asthma attack
• Diabetic emergencies

This qualification is regulated in the UK and awarded by First Aid Awards (FAA).

FAA are an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and SQA Accreditation and the qualification sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

The qualification is delivered, assessed, and quality assured adhering to the Assessment Principles for Regulated First 

Aid Qualifications, and delivered and assessed in accordance with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines.

On successful completion of the course students will receive a FAA level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF) that is valid for three years from the date of achievement. 

It is an HSE requirement that the minimum classroom contact time of 18 hours must be delivered over a minimum of 3 days. The course can be completed over a maximum of 10 weeks ensuring that each session is a minimum of two hours.

The qualification is assessed through practical demonstration and written assessment and a learner must pass both assessments to be awarded the qualification. 

There is no grading of the assessment, learners pass or are referred.

12 students to 1 trainer

The qualification is available to learners aged 14 or over but a learner cannot assume the responsibility of being a first aider in the workplace until they reach the age of 16.

It is recommended that learners hold a minimum of level 1 in literacy or equivalent to undertake this qualification.

It may be possible to grant a reasonable adjustment for a learner who has a disability, medical condition or learning need following the FAA Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy. For example, assistance could be given with reading or writing. 

Due to the practical nature of the first aid assessment there are physical demands. Learners must be able to get to the floor unaided and successfully demonstrate all required elements of the practical assessment on their own, with the casualty on the floor, as in a real-life situation. For example, a learner will need to get to the floor unassisted and demonstrate effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a manikin at floor level.

If you have any concerns please contact us to discuss before attending the course.

The HSE guidance states that on expiry of their qualification a first aider is no longer considered competent to act as a first aider in the workplace. It is advisable to arrange requalification before expiry to ensure that a workplace is not left with a shortfall of qualified first aiders.

To requalify learners can attend a shortened 12-hour two-day requalification course if their qualification is in date or has not expired by more than 1 month.

Please contact us for details

This course can be held at your location so that the content are tailored to your requirements and environment.

We also run open courses - please see our course bookings for the dates of the next course.

Further details