In any workplace, the ability to respond quickly and effectively to an emergency can make a critical difference. An emergency first aid course equips individuals with essential skills to manage incidents until professional help arrives. Courses like the FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) provide a structured, regulated training course that supports legal workplace first aid requirements.
What Is an Emergency First Aid at Work Course?
An emergency first aid course provides a practical foundation for managing medical emergencies in the workplace. It is ideal for low-risk environments and focuses on life-saving techniques and immediate incident management. These courses are typically completed in one day and combine practical training with essential theory.
One widely recognised option is the FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF). This regulated qualification aligns with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards and includes key topics such as casualty assessment, CPR, AED awareness, and treating injuries. Upon successful completion, participants receive a certificate valid for three years, with annual refreshers recommended to maintain competency.
Emergency First Aid vs Standard First Aid: What’s the Difference?
It’s important for employers to understand the distinction between Emergency First Aid at Work courses and the more comprehensive First Aid at Work qualifications:
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW): A regulated 1-day course (minimum 6 hours) focused on life-saving interventions in emergency situations, such as CPR, using an AED, treating bleeding, shock, and choking.
Suitable for low-risk workplaces like offices, shops, and small businesses. - First Aid at Work (FAW): A 3-day course that includes all EFAW content, plus a wider range of topics including treatment for fractures, burns, major illnesses (e.g. heart attack, stroke), and more.
Recommended for higher-risk environments such as construction, manufacturing, and large organisations.
If your workplace is considered low-risk, this 1 day first aid course could be exactly what you need to stay compliant and prepared.
Who Should Take a 1-Day Emergency First Aid Course?
The 1 day first aid course is designed for individuals working in low-risk environments, where the likelihood of serious incidents is minimal. Suitable attendees include:
- Office and administrative staff
- Retail employees and customer-facing teams
- Charity workers and community volunteers
- Temporary, seasonal, or part-time staff
Employers must assess their first aid at work needs in line with current HSE guidance. While some workplaces require fully qualified first aiders, others may only need appointed persons to manage first aid arrangements. However, individuals in either role benefit from receiving formal first aid training.
What Practical Skills Will You Learn?
A regulated first aid emergency course builds both knowledge and confidence. During the FAA Level 3 Award, learners are trained to:
- Perform CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in real-time scenarios
- Assess and manage unresponsive casualties, using step-by-step guidance and simulated practice
- Control bleeding and treat burns, including safe dressing techniques
- Respond to choking, shock, epilepsy and minor injuries as they might appear in a typical workplace
- Apply basic hygiene principles to minimise infection risks during treatment
- Communicate effectively with emergency services, ensuring accurate information is delivered under pressure
These practical skills prepare participants to act calmly, correctly and confidently when faced with emergency situations in the workplace.
Meeting HSE Requirements for First Aid in the Workplace
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to ensure appropriate first aid arrangements are in place. HSE guidance (L74) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 outline the need to:
- Conduct regular first aid needs assessments
- Provide adequately trained personnel based on workplace risk
- Ensure adequate first aid equipment and facilities are provided and maintained
- Appoint a person to take charge of first aid where full training is not required
- Communicate first aid arrangements clearly to all employees
- Review first aid provision regularly, especially following incidents or operational changes
Failure to meet these obligations can affect an employer’s ability to manage health and safety risks effectively, and may lead to enforcement action—especially where a lack of training contributes to injury. It can also result in delayed emergency response, increased severity of injuries, reputational damage, or legal claims.
How First Aid Training Is Assessed — and Why Refreshers Matter
Assessment in an emergency first aid training course ensures learners demonstrate key first aid skills confidently and competently. For the FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF), this includes continuous observation of practical performance, oral questioning, and successful completion of a multiple-choice question paper. All elements must be passed to achieve the first aid at work qualification.
While certification lasts for three years, first aid skills can fade if not used regularly—particularly in low-incident workplaces. That’s why the HSE strongly recommends a first aid annual refresher: a short session designed to reinforce life-saving techniques, build confidence, and update learners on any protocol changes. These refreshers help first aiders stay prepared to respond effectively in real emergencies, supporting a safer workplace overall.
Making First Aid Training Work Around Your Business Needs
Organising training shouldn’t be a disruption. Employers need flexibility to ensure teams receive the right instruction without affecting productivity.
Safety at Work Solutions offers the FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work at your premises (following a suitability check) or at scheduled venues across the South West. This ensures accessibility while keeping operational downtime to a minimum.
Conclusion: The Value of Emergency First Aid Training
Investing in an emergency first aid course delivers far-reaching benefits. It strengthens your organisation’s preparedness, builds employee confidence, and helps you meet legal obligations.
If you’re looking for regulated, practical first aid training delivered by experienced professionals, Safety at Work Solutions offers the FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work — a trusted option for meeting first aid responsibilities in low-risk workplaces.