The QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work Refresher (RQF) Course is specifically designed to allow first aiders to renew their first aid at work qualification when their certificate is due to expire.

During this 2 day course, candidates will have the opportunity to practise essential first aid procedures, as well as learn the latest techniques for dealing with emergency situations and managing injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

What’s more, as a regulated qualification, employers can book this course for their employees and rest assured that they have fulfilled their legal responsibilities for providing quality first aid training, without having to undertake any lengthy due diligence checks.

First Aid at Work Refresher Course Content?

Requalification requirements

This qualification is valid for a period of 3 years. The Learner needs to retake the qualification before the certificate expiry date to remain qualified. 

It is possible to reduce GLH when requalifying and attend a 12 hour FAW requalifying course. In order to attend a 12 hour requalifying course, Learners must produce their current or previous recently expired FAW certificate. The certificate should be in a format as accepted by the HSE. Requalification training should be delivered in no less than 12 hours (2 days) excluding breaks.

Expired FAW certificates

If the Learner’s previous FAW certificate will have expired by more than one month at the start of FAW requalification course, the Centre must, in advance, provide the Learner/their Employer with the following information: 

FAW requalification courses are only 12 hours in duration, compared to 18 hours for the initial course. This means that the syllabus is covered at a significantly faster pace in the understanding that learners are familiar with the topics. 

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance is clear that if an employee’s FAW certificate expires, they are “no longer considered competent to act as a first-aider in the workplace”. For this reason, you should make every effort to requalify a first aider before the certificate expires. 

Employers and Learners should be aware that there is an increased risk of failing to achieve the required standard if previous certification has expired by a considerable period (HSE defines this as in excess of 1 month). If this is the case, HSE recommends “it may be prudent to complete a 3 day course”. 

First Aid Requirements Calculator

Having the correct first aid provision in your workplace is not only a legal requirement, it is incredibly important for the safety of you and your employees.

However, we know that it can be difficult to determine exactly how many first aiders you need and what type of training they require. That’s why we’re delighted to introduce our First Aid Requirements Calculator. Click on the image to the right to be taken to our Requirements Calculator.

Designed to be quick and easy to use, this online assessment tool uses the recently updated HSE regulations to accurately calculate the cover you need in your workplace. Simply input a few details about your workplace and the calculator will create a clear, printable report of your organisation’s requirements.