First Aid Responder

Occupational First Aid Responder (FAR) is a blended training course. This training teaches HSE employees how to provide first aid to employees.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Training is a separate programme.

This training is only available to HSE staff.

Factors to consider

The training needs assessment (TNA) will include a risk assessment to determine the need for and number of occupational first aiders required. More information about the risk assessment process is available in First Aid.

Course specification

The FAR course is accredited by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).

The course covers the Health and Safety Authority's occupational first aid requirements for workplaces.

Duration

3 days - days 1 and 2 online, day 3 classroom.

Assessment

An assessment that includes a practical and theory element takes place on the third day. Participants must complete a multiple-choice exam and 2 skill assessments.

How to book

Managers can book the training through the health and safety helpdesk.

The National Health and Safety Function will only fund FAR requests that meet the Health and Safety Authority guidelines.

This training must be booked directly with the HSE-approved training provider under THR075F and funded locally if required for other reasons.

Training records

Managers must keep copies of employees' training records on file. This is in line with the HSE National Records Retention Policy. The policy requires managers to keep electronic files for 7 years after an employee's term of service ends.

A template for recording training dates is included in the OSH training toolkit.