First Aid at Work Refresher Level 3 (RQF)

Course Intended Audience

​

The UK First Aid at Work (FAW) Refresher or Requalification course is intended for people who already hold a valid or recently expired workplace first aid certificate and need to renew it. It is not to be mistaken for the annual refresher. 

​

Typical intended audience includes:

• Existing workplace first aiders

• Employees designated by employers as certified first aiders

• Staff whose 3-day FAW certificate is nearing expiry

• People returning to first aider duties after a short lapse

• Supervisors, site managers, teachers, care staff, warehouse staff, construction workers, hospitality staff, etc., who are already qualified first aiders

​

Under UK Health and Safety Executive guidance, the:

​

• 3-day FAW certificate lasts 3 years

• Holders should complete either:

  • a 2-day FAW Requalification before expiry, or

  • retake the full 3-day course if the certificate has significantly expired

​

Course Aims

​

The main aims of a UK First Aid at Work (FAW) Refresher / Requalification course are to:

​

• Renew workplace first aider competence. Refresh and update the learner’s ability to provide effective first aid in the workplace.

   

• Maintain HSE compliance. Help employers meet duties under the UK Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

​

• Update knowledge and skills. Reinforce current best practice and any changes in first aid procedures or guidance.

​

• Refresh emergency response confidence. Ensure qualified first aiders remain confident handling real workplace emergencies.

​

• Reassess practical competence. Confirm learners can still perform essential first aid techniques safely and correctly.

​

• Enable certificate renewal. Allow existing FAW certificate holders to renew their qualification for a further 3 years.

​

Validity of Course

​

3 years

​

Course Duration

​

12 hours classroom based training, with theory and practical elements

​

Course Content

​

A UK 2-Day First Aid at Work (FAW) Refresher / Requalification course is designed to renew the competence of existing workplace first aiders whose FAW certificate is due to expire.

Typical course content includes:

​

Day 1 — Core Emergency First Aid Skills

​

Role of the first aider

• Responsibilities and priorities

• Assessing incidents safely

• Infection control and hygiene

• Casualty monitoring and reporting

​

Primary survey

• Danger

• Response

• Airway

• Breathing

• Circulation

​

Unresponsive casualty

• Recovery position

• Monitoring breathing and responsiveness

​

CPR and AED

• Adult CPR

• Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

• Resuscitation procedures

​

Choking

• Recognition of choking

• Back blows and abdominal thrusts

​

Seizures

• Managing epileptic seizures safely

​

Shock

• Recognition and treatment

​

Bleeding and wounds

• Severe external bleeding

• Minor wounds

• Bandaging techniques

​

Day 2 — Workplace Injuries and Medical Emergencies

​

Fractures and soft tissue injuries

• Sprains and strains

• Broken bones

• Immobilisation techniques

​

Burns and scalds

• Thermal burns

• Chemical burns

• Electrical burns

​

Head and spinal injuries

• Recognition of serious injury

• Casualty handling precautions

​

Chest injuries

• Breathing difficulties

• Penetrating injuries

​

Eye injuries

• Foreign objects

• Chemical contamination

​

Poisoning

• Workplace chemicals

• Ingestion and inhalation incidents

​

Medical conditions

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Asthma

• Diabetes

• Anaphylaxis

​

Recording and reporting

• Accident books

• RIDDOR awareness

• Handover to emergency services

​

The syllabus is based on guidance from the UK Health and Safety Executive.