If you’re responsible for arranging first aid training for yourself or colleagues, it’s important to choose the course that best matches the needs of your workplace. Selecting the right level of training helps ensure you meet Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements and that staff feel confident responding in an emergency.
Below is a clear breakdown of the two most common workplace first aid qualifications available.
Highfield Emergency First Aid at Work (1‑Day)
This one‑day course is ideal for low‑risk environments such as offices, shops and small businesses. It provides essential life‑saving skills and prepares learners to handle the most common workplace incidents.
Course content includes:
- Responsibilities of a workplace first aider
- Adult CPR
- Use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
- Managing an unconscious casualty
- Bleeding, burns, choking and shock
- Treating minor injuries including cuts, grazes and sprains
This qualification meets the minimum legal requirement for low‑risk workplaces and can be completed in just one day.
Highfield First Aid at Work (3‑Day)
The three‑day course is aimed at higher‑risk environments, such as construction, manufacturing, workshops and warehouses. It covers all elements of the 1‑day course plus additional training to prepare first aiders for more serious injuries and medical emergencies.
Additional topics include:
- Head, chest and eye injuries
- Fractures, dislocations and spinal injuries
- Asthma, diabetes, seizures and other medical emergencies
- Poisoning and anaphylaxis
- Casualty monitoring and incident reporting
This course is recommended where workplace risk assessments indicate a higher likelihood of serious injury or illness.
Which Course Should My Business Choose?
The HSE does not specify which type of course an employer must take. Instead, all organisations must complete a First Aid Needs Assessment, taking into account factors such as:
- Use of machinery, power tools or hazardous substances
- Lone working or working at height
- Manual handling or vehicle movement
- Distance from emergency medical services
If any of these risks apply, the 3‑day First Aid at Work course is often the most appropriate option.
Certification and Refresher Training
- Both qualifications are valid for three years
- Once expired, the full course must be completed again
- Refresher training should be scheduled in advance to maintain compliance
Investing in the right first aid training ensures staff are prepared and confident should an emergency occur.
