If someone suffers a medical emergency or gets hurt at work, it can, unfortunately, take time to get medical help. Sadly time in such an emergency scenario we cannot afford. On a positive note, acting accordingly at the very time for an ambulance or medical assistance arrives is extremely important. Consistently it has been shown to make a positive contribution in an emergency first aid situation. In such scenarios, whether it’s a serious injury or illness or something less pressing, it would be prudent to have trained personnel who are competent in first aid to help no doubt. People who know what to do. People at the very least with basic first aid skills. Fortunately, employees in the UK can attend a First Aid at Work course ultimately playing a significant role in reducing risk and importantly saving lives. 

First Aid at Work is a course covering accidents and emergencies that could happen in the workplace. For instance, if you happen to employ someone with a health condition, it’s ever so important. The course is ideal for people aged 16 and over and covers a broad range of accidents, injuries and illnesses. 

As an attendee, you’ll learn a great deal about various first aid-related conditions and how to assist a casualty in an emergency. The list includes people who may be unresponsive and breathing or unresponsive and not breathing. You learn to use an automated external defibrillator (AED or Defib for short) safely and how to manage a choking casualty. If someone is bleeding, burned, suffering from shock or feels faint, you’ll know what to do. The same goes if a colleague at work has been poisoned or suffered an injury to their head has hypothermia or heat exhaustion, suffered a bone, muscle or joint injury, or has been electrocuted. 

If someone has a seizure or heart attack, you’ll be taught to recognise it. Angina, asthma, strokes, allergic reactions and diabetes are all covered. In addition, attendees also learn about how to assess a casualty, monitor their condition, record and report accidents, and how to control hazardous substances. 

You will learn all this through a combination of practical, hands-on approaches in a classroom setting where you will need to demonstrate your newly acquired knowledge, for example; by applying CPR to a manikin. The course guides you through various practical demonstrations, hands-on practice, Q&A sessions, quizzes, activities and assessments to be assigned the role of a workplace first aider. 

This is the perfect first aid training for big businesses, high-risk sectors like construction, and businesses employing people with health issues. As a delegate, you’ll be given plenty of support materials, including a well-stocked and very useful training pack containing a workbook, first aid manual, bandages and more. Upon successful completion of the course a nationally recognised First Aid at Work certificate, valid for three years is issued. 

Being aware of basic first aid can save lives. First aid education at work means your workforce is capable of helping each other, helping visitors to your premises, and helping themselves. As it goes without saying, when you know how to treat injuries and illnesses, you’ll understand more about how to prevent them as well. Better safety consciousness helps your people work more carefully, avoiding accidents. It’s a solid, reliable way to directly make the workplace itself a lot safer. 

The Health and Safety Executive recommends that a low-risk workplace such as a small office needs a minimum of a first-aid box plus an appointed person whose role is to handle first-aid provisions. It’s an employer’s legal obligation to provide information about your company’s first aid arrangements to all staff. In such a case we recommend you enrol your staff member/s on an Ofqual regulated 1 Day Emergency First Aid at Work course. 

Workplaces operating and categorised as high risk according to the workplace risk assessment and with greater risk or hazard to health and safety, it’s highly advisable first aider/s are trained to handle major illness or medical emergencies at work. You can qualify as a fully competent first aider by successfully completing an Ofqual regulated 3-Day First Aid at Work course. 

The Emergency First Aid at Work is a one-day course that provides learners with the knowledge required to manage an emergency situation. If your workplace risk assessment identifies a need for a person trained in Emergency First Aid at Work, then this is the right course for you. The course content meets the requirements outlined in the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982. 

The course teaches attendees how to provide first aid to a casualty who is unresponsive, in shock or who has minor injuries like cuts, grazes and burns, and how and when to place an injured person into the recovery position. 

 

 

In comparison, a First Aid at Work course goes into depth, with the addition of major conditions and is usually delivered over three days or a minimum of 18 contact teaching hours. This qualification is aimed at those looking to undertake the role of a first aider in the workplace, as outlined in the Health and Safety (First-aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982. 

 

The first unit or day one of the course incorporates the Emergency First at Work syllabus and in addition, covers major injuries and illness over the final two days. Successful learners will be equipped with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to administer first aid. For example, how to manage a casualty with anaphylaxis or provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty. Tutor demonstration and thorough CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) practice and mastering the Secondary Survey (also known as ‘top top-to-toe survey’) is a valuable addition to this course.