0800 999 4494 

FAQ - First Aid at Work 

1. How many first aiders do I need? 
Click here to read our Guide to First Aid Needs assessment. 
 
2. What is the difference between the workplace First Aid at Work training courses? 
Positive Safety Trainings team of instructors follow the latest best practice and teaching techniques to ensure you qualify as a confident first aider. 
 
Emergency First Aid at Work 
Emergency first aid at work (EFAW) training enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work. 
Course Duration: 1 Day course 
Certificate Expiry: 3 years 
Requalfication: The full one day course must be completed in order to requalify 
 
First Aid at Work 
First aid at work training includes the EFAW syllabus and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illness. 
Course Duration: 3 Day course 
Certificate Expiry: 3 years 
Requalfication: A two day requalification course must be completed in order to requalify 
 
Other courses are available for specific environments including Paediatric First Aid and Outdoor First Aid. Please contact us so we can discuss and advise you on the most appropriate course for your environment and requirements. 
 
3. What should be in a first aid kit? 
There is no mandatory list of contents for first-aid boxes. Deciding what to include should be based on an employer's first aid needs assessment. A minimum stock of first-aid items might be: 
 
20 individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work (you can provide hypoallergenic plasters, if necessary); 
Two sterile eye pads; 
Four individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile; 
Six safety pins; 
Two large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings; 
Six medium-sized, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings; 
A pair of disposable gloves 
 
This is only a suggested contents list. We would be happy to help you discuss your requirements and advise on your first aid kit contents. 
 
Most workplaces now specify first aid kits compliant with the British Standard BS8599 which include BS8599-1 for workplace and catering first aid kids and BS8599-2 for vehicle first aid kits. 
 
4. What is a first aider? 
A workplace first aider is someone who has a recognised Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work course. To become certified as a workplace first aider or emergency first aider you can attend one of the following courses: 
 
Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (QCF) - 1 day course 
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (QCF) - 3 day course 
 
Upon successful completion the qualification is valid for three years. 
 
5. Where can I go for training? 
We come to you, which is not only more convenient but also a more cost effective option. Call us or email us so we can discuss your training requirements and provide you with a competive quote. 
 
We are based at our head office and training centre in Telford, Shropshire. 
 
We also offer on-site courses anywhere in the UK. On-site training course mean we come to you with all training materials and equipment required for our qualified and experienced instructors to deliver the training course. More information about on-site courses can be found on our on-site courses information page 
 
6. How do I become a first aider? 
Simple, contact us for a no obligation chat and we will discuss the most appropriate course for your requirements > This video might help too! 
 
7. Changes to the First Aid Training Regulations 
Following a recent government review by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt, the regulations that govern First Aid Training are changing. 
The review recommended changes to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and revised guidance on the regulations to help businesses. The review also recommended a review of the First Aid Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and the removal of specific requirements placed on the self-employed. 
 
What’s changing? 
The HSE approval of first aid training providers will end on 1st October 2013 (subject to final ministerial approval). At this time, the responsibility for ensuring that workplace first aid training is of an acceptable standard will move from the HSE to the employer. 
Ofqual / SQA regulated qualifications will become the only HSE verified option for meeting first aid training standards. All other options will require the employer to undertake ongoing due diligence checks to ensure that the training meets the required standards. 
From October 2013, training providers will not be able to display a HSE approval number on their certificates. At this point, the only way to guarantee that the training meets the standards is for the certificate to include the Ofqual logo. 
 
What should I do now? 
Positive Safety Training is already delivering the new regulated qualifications, which are accredited through Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (a leading Awarding Organisation recognised by both Ofqual and the HSE). This means that if you book with Positive Safety Training you will not have to undertake any due diligence checks and you can rest assured that you have fulfilled your legal responsibilities for providing quality first aid training. 
 
Will the course content change? 
No, the course content is still defined by the HSE and will not change. 
 
Will it cost more? 
No. 
 
Any Questions? 
If you have any questions regarding the changes or anything else then please call us on 0800 999 4494 
 
8. Do we still perform rescue breaths when performing CPR? 
YES, YES, Yes! Unless you are untrained, unwilling or unable. . . 
 
Vinnie Jones CPR advert 
Many of you will have seen the latest BHF advert shown on ITV featuring Vinnie Jones showing us 'the hard way' to do CPR. The message is very good. 
 
The message BHF are giving is always to attempt CPR, do not be put off by having to do mouth to mouth ventilations. It is acceptable to do compression only CPR. 
 
Research shows people are more likely to start CPR if they only have to carry out compression-only CPR on a casualty. CPR with rescue breaths should remain the gold standard but if someone is untrained, or unsure about how to give rescue breaths and chest compressions, compression-only CPR is still more likely to increase a casualty’s chance of survival. 
 
So if you’ve been trained in CPR, including rescue breaths, and feel confident using your skills, you should still give chest compressions with rescue breaths. 
 
If you are not trained (or unwilling) to give rescue breaths, give 'chest compressions only' resuscitation, as this will circulate any residual oxygen in the blood stream, so it is better than no resuscitation at all. 
 
Clarification on Compression only CPR is also given in the guidelines as below: 
 
'Studies have shown that compression-only CPR may be as effective as combined ventilation and compression in the first few minutes after non-asphyxial arrest. However, chest compression combined with rescue breaths is the method of choice for CPR by trained lay rescuers and professionals and should be the basis for lay-rescuer education. Lay rescuers who are unable or unwilling to provide rescue breaths, should be encouraged to give chest compressions alone. When advising untrained laypeople by telephone, ambulance dispatchers should give instruction on compression-only CPR.' 
 
9. What is Manual Handling 
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations define it as 'any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force'. 
In effect, any activity that requires an individual to lift, move or support a load, will be classified as a manual handling task. 
 
Why is Manual Handling Training important? 
Statistics issued by the Health & Safety Executive on 2 November 2011 show that 36,244 people suffered a reportable workplace injury while manual handling during the year to April 2011. This includes all injuries classed as “serious” or which led to more than three days off work reported to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). 
 
What can you do to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries in your workplace? 
Assess your handling processes and remove unnecessary tasks 
Reduce the number and frequency of manual handling tasks 
Provide employees with suitable training, tools and equipment to handle loads 
Consider suitable mechanical lifting aids such as cranes, platform lifts or goods lifts. 
 
Information on our Manual Handling qualifications and training courses can be found > Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling (QCF) 
 
10. 999 or 112? 
Dialling 999 or 112 in the UK from any phone, mobile or land-line will connect you to the emergency services. 112 is the European wide emergency number which also works in the UK. 
 
There are NO advantages of one number over another. 
 
Further information on calling 999 for an ambulance can be found on the NHS website