How to Become a Workplace First Aider

It’s a simple fact that in the workplace, even the most innocuous of ones, accidents can and do occur. Trips, slips, and falls are very often the cause of injuries in the workplace, but a poor lifting technique can see back problems too. Some workplaces use heavy machinery, and toxic chemicals, which can pose risks to workers also.

In the UK, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, or RoSPA, is committed to helping workers stay safe, and employers provide safer working environments.

Unfortunately, as RoSPA reported, there were 4.7 million working days lost during 2014/15 due to injury. In total, there were more than 611,000 workplace injuries reported that year by employees.

However, there are legal statutes that dictate the availability of qualified first-aiders in the workplace. These individuals are first responders who provide immediate assistance if an incident occurs.

Why become a first aider at work?

Anyone who takes the time to train in first aid will be able to help in certain medical emergencies. This can be outside of work, or in the workplace itself. A first aid certificate gives the holder the confidence to be able to assess incidents and administer help, and support to the injured party.

If you become a workplace first aider you will be trained to deal with cuts, burns, stroke, heart attack, poisoning, broken bones, and even allergies. While you would be assisting only until emergency service arrives, you can be the difference between an individual recovering quickly or having further problems later on. In some scenarios, you could save a person’s life.

How do you become a first aider at work?

There are many regulations around health and safety in workplaces. RIDDOR is mandatory in areas of employment. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations is a legal requirement in the workplace and reports have to be made about serious incidents involving accidents. The Health and Safety Executive also puts into place rules regarding workplace safety and risk reduction.

There is plenty of health and safety advice for factory workers, as well as retail workers, office workers, and the self-employed. And among all these rules is the requirement for first aid to be on site at all times.

If you wish to become a first aider at work, then the first step should be to approach a supervisor or your employer. They may have a company scheme in place that uses a first-aid training service.

Anyone can become a first-aider, but first, they must undergo training. A first aid at work course, or FAW, will consist of different modules so that you can assess situations, treat patients where necessary, comfort them, and call emergency services.

First aid at work courses take 18 hours and are normally spread across at least 3 days. It will involve such areas as CPR, bandaging, the use of defibrillators, and how to help someone choking.

Organisations such as St John’s Ambulance can conduct FAW courses. There are also many first-aid training services aimed at individuals and employers.

Do you need to pay to train to be a first-aider?

There are some basic first aid courses given out in schools and by St John’s Ambulance. But, by and large, most first aid courses need to be paid for if you wish to be certified. This is particularly true for first aid in the workplace.

If you choose to take on a course by yourself, then you can expect to pay a fee to become a qualified first aider. However, there are legal requirements for first aid at work, and your employer should pay.

If your workplace has 25 or more workers, your employer will need to have a trained first aider on site. You can expect the business to fit the bill for first aid training.

What benefits will a first aid at work certificate bring?

This chart explaining the most dangerous areas for work injuries in the UK outlines just how many accidents happen to employees. The most obvious benefit to being a first aider is that you will be able to react quickly to any incident in the workplace.

There is a target of 8 minutes for ambulances to arrive once the emergency services have been called. However, 8 minutes is long enough for serious implications in the case of heart attacks, strokes, or seizures.

Being a first aider at work means that you can prevent further damage or injury to any individual who is in distress. And your skills are transferable to the regular world and your home too. 

Summary

To become a first aider at work you will need to attend an approved course, and pass to become certified. First-aiders should also attend refresher courses, and renew their certification once it lapses.

First aid is a skill that perhaps everyone should learn, and in the workplace, it can be invaluable.