TMS Insight's regulated First Aid at Work (FAW) course is the three-day qualification for designated workplace first aiders in higher-risk environments or larger organisations. Delivered in line with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines, it meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the equivalent Northern Ireland regulations, equipping learners to respond confidently to a full range of workplace emergencies — from cardiac arrest to major illness, serious injury, and anaphylaxis.
Every UK employer has a legal duty under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 to provide adequate and appropriate first aid cover. For higher-risk workplaces — and for many larger sites — a first aid needs assessment will identify that a fully qualified First Aider is required, rather than an Emergency First Aider. TMS Insight’s three-day First Aid at Work course is the qualification that meets that requirement.
The course builds on the core emergency skills covered in our one-day EFAW course and goes significantly further: secondary surveys and casualty history-taking, fractures and dislocations, head and spinal injuries, chest injuries, burns and scalds, eye injuries, poisoning, anaphylaxis (including the use of a training-device adrenaline auto-injector), and major illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, asthma, and hypoglycaemic emergencies.
The qualification is regulated in the UK and awarded by First Aid Awards (FAA), sitting on both the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). It is delivered, assessed, and quality assured in line with the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications and the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines.
It is an HSE requirement that the 18 hours of classroom contact time are delivered over a minimum of 3 days. The course can be spread across a maximum of 10 weeks (with each session a minimum of two hours), with a maximum ratio of 12 learners to 1 trainer/assessor. Learners complete scenario-based practical work throughout, supported by ongoing oral questioning and a written assessment at the end of the course.
The qualification is also suitable for people with first aid responsibility in other settings, including voluntary and community groups.
Course structure
The qualification is made up of two units. Learners must complete both to achieve the full First Aid at Work qualification. Learners completing Unit 1 only can be awarded the FAA Award in Emergency First Aid at Work.
Unit 1 — Emergency First Aid in the Workplace (6 GLH / 7 TQT) The emergency core: first aider responsibilities, scene and primary survey, adult CPR, recovery position, seizures, choking, external bleeding, shock, minor injuries, and minor burns and scalds.
Unit 2 — Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace (12 GLH / 15 TQT) The extended syllabus: secondary survey and casualty history, fractures and dislocations, sprains and strains, support and elevated slings, head and spinal injuries, chest injuries, burns and scalds (dry/wet heat, chemical, electrical), eye injuries, poisoning, anaphylaxis and adrenaline auto-injector use, and major illness recognition (heart attack, stroke, epileptic seizure, asthma attack, hypoglycaemic emergency).
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, a participant will be able to:
Understand the role and responsibilities of a first aider, including how to minimise the risk of infection and the need for consent.
Conduct a scene survey, a primary survey, and a head-to-toe secondary survey, gathering an accurate casualty history.
Identify when to administer CPR and demonstrate effective adult CPR on a manikin at floor level.
Place an unresponsive, breathing casualty into the recovery position and continually monitor their breathing.
Administer first aid to a casualty who is experiencing a seizure, choking, or suffering hypovolaemic shock.
Identify whether external bleeding is life-threatening and administer appropriate first aid.
Recognise and treat suspected fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains, including applying support and elevated slings.
Recognise and treat suspected head, spinal, and chest injuries (including fractured ribs and penetrating chest injuries).
Treat burns and scalds caused by dry or wet heat, chemicals, and electricity.
Treat eye injuries involving dust, chemicals, or embedded objects.
Identify how poisonous substances can enter the body and treat suspected sudden poisoning.
Recognise anaphylaxis and demonstrate the use of a training-device adrenaline auto-injector.
Recognise and treat suspected heart attack, stroke, epileptic seizure, asthma attack, and hypoglycaemic emergency.
Treat minor injuries including small cuts, grazes, bruises, splinters, and nosebleeds.
Target Audience
This qualification is designed for workplace first aiders where a first aid needs assessment has identified that the full FAW qualification, rather than EFAW, is required. It is particularly relevant for:
Higher-risk industries including manufacturing, engineering, construction, warehousing, logistics, and processing
Larger sites and multi-department organisations where first aiders need broader competence
Health & safety professionals, site managers, and supervisors with first aid responsibilities
Facilities, operations, and HR staff with designated first aid cover
People providing first aid cover in voluntary and community settings
Anyone who wants the full three-day regulated qualification for career or personal reasons
Prerequisites
Learners must be aged 14 or over to attend. A learner cannot assume the responsibility of being a first aider in the workplace until they reach the age of 16.
It is recommended that learners hold a minimum of Level 1 in literacy or equivalent (the course includes a written assessment).
Due to the practical nature of the assessment, learners must be able to get to the floor unaided and demonstrate all required elements on their own, with the casualty at floor level (for example, performing effective CPR on a manikin at floor level).
Reasonable adjustments may be available for learners with a disability, medical condition, or learning need, in line with the FAA Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy. Please contact us before booking if you have any concerns.
Assessment
The qualification is assessed through both practical demonstration and a written assessment — learners must pass both to achieve the qualification. There is no grading: learners either pass or are referred.
Practical assessment. Scenarios recreate real-life situations as closely as possible, with ongoing oral questioning from the trainer/assessor throughout the course. Learners are made aware of when they are being assessed and must satisfactorily complete each scenario to pass.
Written assessment. Learners must pass a written assessment covering the theoretical knowledge from both units.
Certification & Validity
Successful learners receive the FAA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF) / Award in First Aid at Work at SCQF Level 6, valid for three years from the date of achievement. The Health and Safety Executive strongly recommends that first aiders attend annual refresher training to keep skills current.
Important: HSE guidance states that on expiry of their qualification, a first aider is no longer considered competent to act as a first aider in the workplace. We strongly recommend arranging requalification before the three-year expiry date so that your workplace is not left with a shortfall of qualified first aiders.
Requalification
A shortened two-day (12-hour) FAW Requalification course is available, covering all the learning outcomes of the full three-day course in less classroom time. Eligibility depends on the status of the existing qualification:
Status of existing FAW certificate
Eligibility
In date, or expired by no more than 1 month
Eligible for the 2-day requalification course
Expired by more than 1 month but not longer than 3 months
Eligible at the employer’s discretion, based on CPD and recent first aid activity. Evidence may be required. The learner is not considered competent to act as a workplace first aider until requalified.
Expired by more than 3 months
Not eligible — must attend the full 3-day FAW course
Learners attending the requalification course must provide evidence of their current or previous FAW qualification before the course starts. The certificate must evidence a regulated qualification or, if non-regulated, satisfy HSE requirements. Learners must attend a specific two-day FAW Requalification course — it is not possible to attend two days of a three-day course in place of requalification.
Progression
Learners who achieve this qualification can progress on to other FAA first aid and related qualifications. TMS Insight’s wider Health & Safety portfolio also includes fire safety, manual handling, food safety, safeguarding, and first aid for mental health.
TMS Insight's regulated Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course gives your designated workplace first responders the knowledge and practical competence to deal with a wide range of workplace emergencies. Delivered in line with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines, the one-day course meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the equivalent Northern Ireland regulations where a first aid needs assessment identifies an Emergency First Aider as sufficient provision.
TMS Insight's regulated Emergency Paediatric First Aid course gives childcare and early years professionals the knowledge and practical competence to respond confidently when an infant or child needs urgent help. Delivered in line with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines, the one-day course meets the first aid requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
TMS Insight's regulated Basic Life Support training gives your people the knowledge and practical competence to keep a casualty alive in those critical minutes before the emergency services arrive. Delivered in line with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines, the course covers CPR, safe use of an AED, the primary survey, the recovery position, and choking.