All organisations must ensure by law that they have a sufficient number of employees that possess a first aid qualification in order to fulfil their first aid needs at all times. Employers must ensure that their provision is 'adequate and appropriate in the circumstances.' It is the employer's responsibility to decide what the requirements of the organisation are by assessing any specific work hazards and ensuring that sufficient equipment, facilities and personnel are available to deal with the consequences of these hazards.

As part of each assessment, the HSE recommends organisations should look at things such as the nature of work engaged in and the subsequent hazards and risks, the size of the organisation, work patterns and accident histories amongst other things.

HABC Award Levels

The HABC range of awards for first aid is as follows:

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) - This is a first aid qualification which enables candidates to give emergency first aid to someone who becomes ill at work. This particular award is suited to working environments that have minimum hazards along with a low number of employees. This award involves a 1-day course.

First Aid at Work (FAW) - This includes all the features of EFAW and also equips candidates with the first aid to tend a range of specific injuries and illnesses. This particular award is most suited to working environments that have a high hazard count and/or high numbers of employees. This award involves a 3-day course.

Paediatric First Aid - This first aid qualification provides theoretical and practical training in first aid techniques that are specific to infants aged 0 to 1, and children aged from 1 year old to the onset of puberty. Candidates will become familiar with the role of the paediatric first aider and be able to assess and react appropriately to an emergency situation. This award involves a 2-day course.

AED Defibrillation - This qualification provides learners with skills to further their First Aid training. It is recommended as training for first aiders in the workplace environment who have access to a defibrillator.

Please see below for further information about each of the HABC accredited First Aid courses we offer:

• Emergency First Aid at Work
• First Aid at Work
• First Aid at Work Requalification Renewal
• Paediatric First Aid
• Defibrillation