All organisations must ensure by law that they have the required number of employees in possession of a first aid qualification in order to fulfil their first aid needs at all times. Employers must ensure that their provision is ‘adequate and appropriate in the circumstances’. It is the employer’s responsibility to decide what the requirements of the organisation are by assessing any specific work hazards and ensuring that sufficient equipment, facilities and personnel are available to deal with the consequences of these hazards.

As part of each assessment, the HSE recommends organisations should consider things such as the nature of the work and the subsequent hazards and risks, the size of the organisation, work patterns and accident histories.

This qualification is designed for those learners wishing to gain a nationally recognised qualification in First Aid. The objective of the qualification is for those learners already working or preparing to work in the industry and that have been identified within the company’s risk assessment of First Aid and supports the role in the workplace as a First aider. It is typically delivered as a one day programme.

Topics within this course are regarded by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as being important in maintaining good practice in the safe, prompt and effective treatment of injuries and ill health in the workplace.

The qualification provides learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills in First Aid.

“How long will it take me to achieve this qualification?”

This is a 1 credit qualification, with a guided learning hour’s value of 8 and it has a minimum contact time of 6 hours, which is typically delivered via a 1-day course.

“How is the qualification assessed?”

Learners must undertake a practical assessment of their competence along with a short open response knowledge assessment, where learners are required to provide a short response to a prescribed series of questions. In line with guidance provided by the HSE, the qualification supports/approves workplace emergency first aiders for a period of 3 years, after which point learners will need to retake the course. In addition to this, it is also recommended that learners refresh their knowledge annually.

“What next?”

Following the completion of this qualification, learners may wish to go on to take the following qualifications:”
• Level 1 Award in Fire Safety (QCF)
• Level 2 Award in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation (QCF)”
• Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace (QCF)