Emergency First Aid at Work is the go-to one-day qualification for many lower-risk UK workplaces that still need trained first-aiders on site.
EFAW suits offices, shops, and similar environments where your first-aid needs assessment shows trained first-aiders are required, but the fuller three-day FAW syllabus is not necessary. Certificates are typically valid for three years, and annual skills refreshers are strongly recommended by HSE.
What is Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)?
EFAW trains someone to give emergency first aid if a colleague is injured or taken ill at work. It covers prioritising action, CPR, choking, bleeding, shock, burns, and common workplace emergencies. It is shorter than FAW and does not cover the wider range of injuries and illnesses included on the three-day course. See HSE guidance on first aid training for how employers should choose a competent provider.
Typical duration: Usually 1 day (around 6 contact hours); blended options may include online learning plus face-to-face assessment
Certificate life: Typically 3 years; book requalification before expiry
Who usually needs this training?
- Low-hazard workplaces that still need designated first-aiders
- Smaller teams following HSE’s suggested staffing guidance after a needs assessment
- Employers topping up cover across shifts or satellite sites
- Training companies delivering open or closed EFAW courses who need freelance tutor cover
Your options when arranging EFAW training
Common ways organisations arrange EFAW:
- On-site closed course for your team (often the best value above ~6-8 learners)
- Places on a public/open EFAW course
- Blended delivery where theory is online and skills are assessed in person
- Trainer-only cover if you already hold centre approval and course materials
What to look for in a EFAW trainer or training company
- Trainers experienced delivering regulated EFAW for workplaces
- Up-to-date resuscitation practice aligned with current UK guidelines
- Enough manikins, AED trainers, and first-aid kit for your headcount
- Clear certificate turnaround and awarding organisation
HSE no longer “approves” everyday first-aid training providers. Choose competence: teaching quality, assessment standards, and fit to your risks.
Authoritative guidance
Check primary sources before you buy - FlexMed helps you hire trainers, but course requirements come from regulators, statutory frameworks and professional bodies:
How FlexMed helps you find the right trainer
FlexMed is a UK marketplace that connects organisations with freelance trainers and training companies. Instead of cold-calling providers or waiting on generic quote forms, you can post what you need once and compare responses from people who already deliver EFAW.
- Create a free organisation account - register as a client organisation if you need training delivered for your staff, or as a training company if you need freelance trainer cover for a course you already run.
- Post a clear request or job - include the course type (Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)), date(s), postcode area, headcount, venue type, and whether you need equipment supplied.
- Review profiles and credentials - check bios, verification documents, equipment flags, and ratings before you award.
- Compare quotes and message - ask about awarding organisation, assessment method, blended learning options, and what is included in the price.
Trainers and providers looking for work can also browse open jobs on FlexMed.
Practical tips before you book
- Complete a first-aid / training needs assessment so you book the right level - not just the cheapest day course. The HSE first aid needs assessment guidance is the usual starting point for workplaces.
- Confirm whether you need regulated qualifications, in-date certificates, or specific awarding bodies for your sector.
- Share access details, parking, and any learner needs early so the session runs smoothly.
- Ask who issues the certificates and how quickly learners receive them after assessment.
Ready to book EFAW? Post your date, postcode and headcount on FlexMed and compare trainers who already deliver Emergency First Aid at Work.