Table of Contents
This article outlines first aid legal requirements including the 2 most common first aid training options FAW & EFAW.
Due to the effectiveness of first aid, particularly in life-threatening situations, UK First Aid regulations require employers to provide appropriate facilities, equipment and training to personnel in order that patients in the workplace receive speedy care.
What do the first aid regulations require?
Complying with first aid regulations starts with completing a first aid needs assessment. Think about your workplace hazards and how you will ensure staff and the public will receive emergency care should it be required.
To help, the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) provides example case studies on what they regard as appropriate first aid needs assessment for various businesses. This is a great place to start.
The HSE also defines two First Aid training syllabuses. Known as First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW). Most businesses follow these syllabuses because the HSE are a respected authority on workplace safety and also a legally empowered enforcement agency.
Remember, there are no absolute correct answers as to what is required though. Appropriate is a subjective term and will differ from workplace to workplace.
However, the HSE do state the minimum requirements for all businesses. All businesses must (1) assess their first aid needs, (2) have a first aid kit, (3) appoint someone to take charge of arrangements and inform colleagues about the arrangements. Further, any needs assessment or training should also be documented. For example, maintaining a training spreadsheet and/or storing completion certificates.
In larger businesses or where more significant risks exist a trained First Aider is required.
Appropriate is a subjective term and will differ from workplace to workplace.
The HSE outlines essential topics that must be covered in all First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses. In addition the Department for Education provides guidance on course content for Paediatric First Aid (PFA).
Employers are responsible for choosing the training that is right for them. The findings of your first-aid needs assessment will identify whether first aiders should be trained in FAW, EFAW, or some other appropriate level of training to ensure you are meeting the regulatory requirement of providing ‘appropriate training to personnel’.
FAW, EFAW and Paediatric First Aid Compared
Swipe through each course.
| Course | Format | Length | What it covers | Offered by Echo3? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) | Face to face | 1 day (6 hours) | Life-threatening emergencies: cardiac arrest, heart attack, choking, heavy bleeding and stroke | No |
| Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) | Online | 60 minutes | The Emergency First Aid at Work topics as theory, without the practical skills | View Echo3 Course |
| First Aid at Work (FAW) | Face to face | 3 days (18 hours) | Everything in Emergency First Aid at Work, plus minor injuries such as cuts, grazes, minor burns and splinters | No |
| First Aid at Work (FAW) | Online | 60 minutes | The First Aid at Work topics as theory, without the practical skills | View Echo3 Course |
| Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) | Face to face | 6 hours | Emergency response for infants and children | No |
| Paediatric First Aid (PFA) | Face to face | 12 hours | Everything in Emergency Paediatric First Aid, plus a wider range of injuries and illnesses in children | No |
| Paediatric First Aid (PFA) | Online | 60 minutes | The theory for anyone who works with children; not a substitute for the 12-hour course | View Echo3 Course |
Echo3 offers the online courses only, not the face-to-face courses. All four face-to-face certificates are valid for 3 years. Below we detail each course in turn.
All four certificates are valid for 3 years. Below we detail each course in turn.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW training) lasts 1 day and is a shorter course than First Aid at Work which takes 3 days. The main goal of EFAW training is to enable the first-aider to respond appropriately to common life-threatening emergencies. Life-threatening emergencies include; sudden cardiac arrest, heart attacks, choking, heavy bleeding & strokes.
The course will also cover how to assess the situation and patient to determine what is wrong so the correct care can be provided.
Duration: 1 day
Valid for: 3 years
Echo3 online EFAW course covers the same content in 1 hour but doesn’t include the practical skills of face-to-face training.
First Aid at Work (FAW)
First Aid at Work (FAW) is a longer course that takes 3 days. It includes all of the EFAW syllabus for responding to life-threatening emergencies. But, First Aid at Work also covers non-life-threatening emergencies. For example; small cuts, grazes and bruises, minor burns and scalds, small splinters.
Duration: 3 days
Valid for: 3 years
The Echo3 First Aid at Work course covers the same content in 60 minutes but doesn’t include the practical skills of face-to-face training. The course may be appropriate as refresher training, low-risk businesses, small business or for all staff in higher risk businesses.
Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA)
EPFA training certificate equips a first aider to provide an appropriate emergency response to infants and children.
While the topics covered are generally the same as the FAW course in some areas there are different procedures to follow when providing first aid to children.
Duration: 6 hours
Valid for: 3 years
Paediatric First Aid (PFA)
PFA training includes EPFA and also equips the paediatric first aider to apply first aid across a range of injuries and illnesses. Exact content varies from training provider to training provider. Topics will include:
- Object in their eye, ear or nose
- Hypothermia or heat exhaustion
- Sickness or a fever
Duration: 12 hours
Valid for: 3 years
Our online Paediatric First Aid course covers the theory in 60 minutes for anyone who works with children. It is not a substitute for the 12-hour course where an early years setting requires one.
EFAW and FAW Requalification
The HSE recommends first-aiders undertake EFAW or FAW annual refresher training. This helps first aiders maintain skills, confidence and stay up to date with any changes to procedures. Both certificates are valid for 3 years, after which first aiders requalify by taking the course again.
How many first aiders do you need?
So, you know the courses that are available, but how many colleagues do you need to train? Again, the HSE provides guidance for employers with regards the amount of first aid training required to meet regulations.
As mentioned, there are no one size fits all answers. The guidance below needs to be considered in the context of your specific business, consider factors such as:
- Staff working at different locations
- First aid cover for shift work
- Absences of a first aider
- Specific health requirements of employees
- Cover for employees travelling
- Any previous incidents that have occurred.
Low Risk Workplaces
For example offices, shops and cafés.
Swipe through each employees.
| Employees | Suggested first aid cover |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 25 | At least one appointed person |
| 25–50 | At least one first aider trained in EFAW |
| More than 50 | At least one first aider trained in FAW for every 100 employed |
Higher Hazard Workplaces
For example warehousing, construction, laboratories, light engineering and assembly work.
Swipe through each employees.
| Employees | Suggested first aid cover |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 5 | At least one appointed person |
| 5–50 | At least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW, depending on the type of injuries that might occur |
| More than 50 | At least one first aider trained in FAW for every 50 employed |
These are HSE’s suggested numbers from First aid at work: your questions answered (INDG214), and HSE is clear they are suggestions only. Where there is shift work or a site spread across several buildings, you may need more. An appointed person takes charge of first aid arrangements and calls the emergency services. They do not need first aid training.
Training several first aiders at once? Every team order includes the Echo3 Learning Management System, so you can enrol staff in bulk and keep their certificates in one place for your records.
Where is online first aid training appropriate?
There are various situations where a first aid needs assessment might determine that online first aid training is the most appropriate solution. For example:
Remote Workers
Employees who work remotely, individually or in small groups, are not typically expected to take a full 3 day FAW course. An online EFAW or FAW course provides a great way to impart key knowledge and achieve training expectations.
All Staff in Higher Risk Workplaces
More first aiders are required by the HSE in high risk workplaces. Where humans and machinery work closely together accidents are more likely. In these environments, if all staff have an understanding of the EFAW syllabus, first aid response in the event of an emergency will most likely be enhanced.
FAW Refresher Training
The UK HSE recommends first aiders receive annual refresher training. Our online First Aid at Work course serves as a great way to refresh knowledge and keep up to date.
Source: Department for Education, Paediatric first aid: EYFS statutory framework amendments.
