Course Introduction
This first aid at work requalification course is designed for those who currently hold a first aid at work qualification which is due to expire, and meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982.
Duration: A minimum of 12 hours spread over at least two days. Ideally, the course should be run over two consecutive days, but can be spread over a longer time period, providing it is completed within 7 weeks of starting the course and the training sessions last for a minimum of two hours.
Attendance
- A first aider can renew their first aid at work qualification by attending a 2-day requalification course if it’s within 1 month past the expiry date.
- If the first aider has lapsed by more than 1 month, but no longer than 3 months, then the first aider can requalify by attending a 2-day course providing ‘special considerations’ have been applied.
Special considerations are:
- A signed letter from the employer to the provider of the training stating the reasons why in their opinion, the first aider is suitably experienced to attend a 2-day course and does not require a full first aid at work course OR
- A decision is made by the provider of the training after discussions with the employer, or the first aider, and deciding that their previous experience is sufficient to attend a 2-day course
- If the first aider has lapsed beyond 3 months then they must attend a full 3-day first aid at work course.
It’s important to remember that once the certificate expires, the individual is no longer considered competent to serve as a first aider in the workplace, potentially leaving the employer with a shortage of qualified first aiders. To avoid this, it’s advisable to schedule their first aid at work requalification before the certificate expires.
Certification
Completion of this course is determined by ongoing practical assessments and written exams throughout the course. Upon successful evaluation, learners will receive a Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (Level 6 in Scotland), valid for three years. No external assessors are required.
The course allows a maximum of 12 students, who must be at least 14 years old. Certificates will be issued to those who pass the assessments.
Students under 16 cannot be assigned workplace responsibilities related to this certification. Once they turn 16, it is the employer’s duty to ensure the student is suitable for the role.
The certificate will expire as dated on the certificate, irrespective of age.
Syllabus
A range of subjects are covered including:
- Legalities, responsibilities and reporting
- Control of bleeding
- Shock (including Anaphylaxis)
- Heart attacks
- Head injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Bandaging
- Eye injuries
- Chest injuries
- Choking
- Dealing with an unresponsive casualty
- Fractures and spinal injuries
- Resuscitation and AED awareness
- Assessment of the situation
- Poisoning
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Burns
- Epilepsy
