Understanding Workplace First Aid Qualifications

Employers across the UK and Ireland are legally obligated to provide adequate and appropriate first aid provisions for their employees. This duty is enshrined in the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 in the UK and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 in Ireland. A critical aspect of fulfilling this responsibility involves understanding the distinctions between the two primary first aid qualifications: Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and First Aid at Work (FAW).

While both qualifications equip individuals with life-saving skills, their scope, duration, and suitability for different workplace environments vary significantly. Choosing the correct course hinges on a thorough first aid needs assessment, which considers factors such as workplace hazards, the number of employees, and the nature of work activities.

EFAW: Essential Skills for Lower-Risk Environments

The Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification is a more concise course, typically completed in one day (approximately 6 hours). It focuses on immediate, life-saving first aid skills, making it suitable for lower-risk environments such as offices, retail settings, or small workplaces where the likelihood of serious incidents is reduced.

An EFAW course generally covers essential topics including:

  • The role and responsibilities of a first aider.
  • Assessing an incident and managing an unresponsive casualty.
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) published its 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines, which will be implemented throughout 2026, bringing changes to first aid training, including updated advice on chest compressions and defibrillation.
  • Managing a casualty who is choking.
  • Dealing with severe bleeding and shock.
  • Treating minor injuries.

EFAW certificates are typically valid for three years, with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommending annual refresher training to maintain skills.

FAW: Comprehensive Training for Higher-Risk Workplaces

The First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification is a more extensive and in-depth programme, usually requiring three days of training. This comprehensive course is designed for workplaces with higher risks, such as construction sites, manufacturing facilities, or larger organisations where a wider range of injuries and illnesses may occur.

FAW training encompasses all the topics covered in EFAW, plus additional subjects to equip first aiders to manage a broader spectrum of medical emergencies. These often include:

  • More detailed casualty assessment and secondary surveys.
  • Treatment for specific injuries such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, head injuries, chest injuries, and spinal injuries.
  • Managing burns and scalds, including chemical burns.
  • Dealing with various medical conditions like asthma, anaphylaxis, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and seizures.
  • Poisons and exposure to harmful substances.
  • More in-depth understanding of incident reporting and workplace considerations.

Like EFAW, FAW certificates are generally valid for three years. For renewal, a two-day FAW requalification course is typically required if completed before the certificate expires. If it lapses, the full three-day course may need to be retaken.

Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see PMVA trainer qualifications or explore online first aid training courses for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.

Irish Context: Occupational First Aid (OFA) and First Aid Response (FAR)

In the Republic of Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) outlines first aid requirements. Historically, the QQI (formerly FETAC) Level 5 Occupational First Aid (OFA) course was a primary qualification. However, as of June 1st, 2018, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid Response (FAR) standard became the recognised qualification for occupational first aid in workplaces. FAR courses are typically three days in duration and cover a comprehensive range of topics, similar to the FAW in the UK.

Irish employers must conduct a risk assessment to determine the appropriate level of first aid provision, including the number of trained first aiders. For instance, in low-risk environments, a single trained first aider may suffice for up to 50 employees, while higher-risk workplaces require more.

Choosing the Right Qualification

The decision between EFAW and FAW (or FAR in Ireland) is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It fundamentally depends on the outcome of a workplace first aid needs assessment. This assessment should consider:

  • The nature of the work and specific hazards present.
  • The size of the organisation and the number of employees.
  • The organisation's accident history.
  • The remoteness of the workplace from emergency medical services.
  • The needs of travelling, remote, and lone workers.

For many low-risk environments, EFAW training may be sufficient to meet legal obligations. However, for workplaces with higher hazards or a greater number of employees, the more comprehensive FAW (or FAR) qualification is typically recommended to ensure first aiders are adequately prepared for a wider range of potential incidents.

Regardless of the chosen qualification, employers must ensure that first aiders are trained by a competent and accredited provider and that refresher training is undertaken regularly to keep skills current.

For further information on first aid training and workplace safety, visit Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.