What time do courses start?
Generally course start at 9.30am, but we can suit the times to the customer.
Do you provide lunch?
We don’t normally provide lunch but we can arranged this if required.
How many First Aiders does my workplace need?
Guidance on the numbers of First Aiders needed in your workplace can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website.
Are the courses suitable for beginners?
Yes, all courses are suitable for beginners. To attend a Refresher First Aid at Work (two-day) course candidates must have a valid First Aid at Work certificate.
I have a First Aid at Work certificate but it is not from Thompsons Training, can I still come on the Refresher course?
Yes, as long as you have a valid First Aid at Work certificate you can book on the Refresher First Aid at Work (2-day) course.
I work in a home for disabled people. Will a First Aid course show me how to administer medicine?
No, a First Aid course will not show you how to administer medicine. First Aid is the immediate treatment given to someone injured or taken ill before the arrival of professional medical help. On a First Aid course you will learn many important life-saving techniques.
I work at a school, do I need a First Aid certificate in order to give First Aid to a child?
No, there is no legal requirement for this. Should a child in your school require help then the principle of acting ‘in loco parentis’ applies. However, in order to give the most effective treatment consider going on a First Aid course.
I manage a nursery. What type of First Aid training do my staff need?
Nurseries, creches, childminders and similar which come under the remit of OFSTED Early Years are usually required to have some staff trained on the two day Paediatric First Aid course.
What is the legal position regarding First Aid in the work place?
First Aid at Work comes under the Health and Safety (HSE First Aid) Regulations 1981 which are part of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. All employers must provide suitable first-aid equipment, facilities and first aid personnel to enable first aid to be provided to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. The enforcing authority for first aid at work is the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
What is first aid at work?
First aid at work is first aid assistance to people who suffer injury or become ill at the work place. This applies to employees and contractors alike.
Who is suitable according to the HSE to administer First Aid?
To be a First Aider in the workplace a person must attend and pass a First Aid at Work (3-day) or Emergency First Aid (1-day) course which has been approved by the HSE.
Are Thompsons Training’s first aid courses approved by the HSE for first aid at work purposes?
Yes, Thompsons Training is fully approved to offer HSE First Aid at Work courses.
This approval covers:
Emergency First Aid at Work (1-day)
First Aid at Work (3-day)
Refresher First Aid at Work (2-day)
What is the difference between these above HSE approved First Aid at Work training courses?
All courses are taught to the same high standard and Thompsons Training’s team of instructors follow the latest best practice and teaching techniques.
The 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work has no formal exam, assessment is by tutor monitoring during the course.
The 3-day First Aid at Work course has an exam which candidates must pass in order to qualify
The 2-day Refresher First Aid at Work course is a requalification course for candidates who already hold the full 3-day First Aid at Work qualification but who need to retrain.
What will the Emergency First Aid at Work 1-day training course cover?
This HSE recognised Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) training course covers all the requirements laid down by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) under the Health and Safety (HSE First Aid) Regulations 1981. The course is designed to equip students with the first aid knowledge and aid skills to render first aid in a workplace emergency. The full course content can be found on our Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) page.
How long is the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) training course?
The Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) training course lasts one day and can be delivered by our team of instructors to your workplace or at our training centre.
Are there any special First Aid training courses for schools available?
We provide a First Aid for Schools adaption of the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) training course. This covers all the vital First Aid skills needed in order to comply with HSE First Aid at Work requirements but also concentrates on the important issues facing school staff dealing with pupils. Thompsons Training also offer the 2-day Paediatric First Aid course for Early Years. This complies with the OFSTED requirements for first aid training in Early Years settings.
What is the FAW First Aid at Work training course (3-day)?
The full 3-day First Aid at Work (FAW) training course is approved by the HSE and is designed to comply with all the legal requirements of the Health and Safety (HSE First Aid) Regulations 1981. It satisfies the first aid requirements regarding having a fully qualified first aider in the workplace. First aid candidates are required to pass an exam which is conducted by independent assessors.
How long is the full FAW First Aid at work training course?
The full FAW First Aid at work training course is three days. At our training centre this first aid course is offered over three full days in a row, however for group courses held at your workplace the schedule can be rearranged to suit your requirements, contact us to discuss this.
What is the Refresher First Aid at Work (RFAW) 2-day training course for?
Candidates who have completed the full three day First Aid at Work training course will get a certificate valid for 3 years. In order to renew their qualification candidates need to attend this 2-day Refresher First Aid at Work course.
Am I eligible for a place on the 2-day Refresher First Aid at Work (RFAW) training course?
To get a place on the Refresher First Aid at Work you will need either:
a valid First Aid at Work certificate from any HSE approved training course OR
an expired First Aid at Work certificate from any HSE approved training course (the expiry date must be no more than 28 days prior to the start of the Refresher First Aid at Work course).
What is the Paediatric First Aid training course about?
The 2-day Paediatric First Aid course is for Early Years. This complies with the OFSTED requirements for first aid training in Early Years settings, this could include a nursery, school, childminder, crèche, after school club etc. The course can help you comply with an OFSTED inspection. The course aims to provide candidates with the skill and knowledge needed to deal with first aid situations within this age group.
AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator. This course is for people who wish to learn how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This device can be used to administer measured electric shocks to people in cardiac arrest and is the best way of increasing the chance of survival.
What should I consider when assessing first aid needs?
Follow the guidance issued by the HSE on their website.
How often should the contents of first-aid boxes be replaced?
Many first aid kit items, particularly sterile ones, are marked with expiry dates. They should be replaced by these dates. For sterile items which have no expiry dates, it is advisable to check with the manufacturers to find out how long they can be kept. For non-sterile items without dates, it is a matter of judgement, based on whether they are fit for purpose.
What is a first aider?
A first aider is someone who has an HSE approved qualification such as provided on the First Aid at Work course or the 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work course.
How do I choose the right first aid training course?
The first aid training course depends on the activities carried out in your workplace and the number of employees that you have. Follow HSE guidance in making your first aid at work needs assessment.
How long are first aid training certificates valid for?
Both First Aid at Work (3-day) and Emergency First Aid at Work certificates are valid for three years from the date of issue. Prior to the certificates expiry date candidates will need to undertake an FAW Refresher First Aid at Work (2-day) course or another Emergency First Aid at Work (1-day) course, as to obtain a new three-year certificate.
What is the purpose of the Refresher First Aid at Work (2-day) training course?
HSE recommends that first-aiders undertake a half day annual refresher training, however this is not mandatory. The 2-day HSE Refresher First Aid at Work course will enable first-aiders to maintain their first aid skills and keep up to date with any changes to best practice.
Manual Handling FAQ’s
What is the maximum load a man or woman can shoulder-lift in the workplace?
If lifting above shoulder height (stocking high shelves for example) men should not lift items heavier than 10kg, and women should not lift items heavier than 7kg – but this maximum weight drops again for objects that need to be held away from the body – 5kg for men and 3kg for women.
Employers should carry out risk assessments for all lifting tasks since the safe limit depends on so many variables, such as: the individual involved; the height to which you will be lifting; and the distance you will be required to carry the object.
Never assume that because a larger workmate can lift an object without injury that it is a safe weight for you to attempt. Everyone is a different size and we all differ in body strength.
Are there any pre-requisites a manual handling course?
No formal qualifications are required.
Will I receive a formal certificate on completing a manual handling course?
Yes – on successful completion of the manual handling course, delegates will be awarded a certificate of competence, valid for three years.
What is manual handling?
Manual handling is the lifting, pulling, pushing and carrying of a range of objects and awkward loads.
What does the law say?
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations state that employers should adopt a hierarchy of control measures:
To avoid hazardous Manual Handling Operations so far as is reasonably practicable
To assess any hazardous Manual Handling Operation that cannot be avoided
To reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.
The assessment should look at the task, the load, the working environment, individual capabilities when carrying out the assessment.
What is the duration of the course?
Generally ½ a day but can be tailored to the customer.
