What is First Aid?
The immediate care given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery prior to the arrival of qualified medical personnel
As a first aider you will have completed training appropriate to what is needed in your workplace. You will have been awarded a recognised and approved certificate in either First Aid at Work (FAW), Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or another equivalent first aid qualification.
All Employers have legal duties with regards to First Aid. The Health and Safety (First–Aid) Regulations 1981 requires employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. The number of required First Aiders is based upon the size of the the company and the industry.
For large businesses there is a mandatory First Aid at Work (FAW) course, normally 3 days and for small businesses there is a 1 day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course. All qualified first aiders must attend a 2 day requalification course every 3 years. The HSE also suggests that refresher training taken annually would be beneficial to first aiders and their employers.
If you require further information regarding First aid regulations please visit the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid