HSE guidelines outline that it is not a legal requirement to have first aid courses attributed with a Level 2 or 3 qualification. Providers do not even need to be registered with Ofqual, or an Awarding Organisation. Voluntary Aid Societies and other standard-setters in first aid have already met the criteria outlined in the Health and Safety (first aid) regulations of 1981, and do not require external accreditation. As long as the training provider meets the standards outlined in 1981, they do not need to be backed by Ofqual or an AO.
That being said, let’s examine the differences between level 2 and level 3 safety first aid regulations.
We’ll look at which course provides the skills necessary for the health and safety of your work environment.
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How Long Does It Take to Get Level 3 First Aid?
This procedure is also known as the First Aid at Work course. This qualification provides a wider range of assessment valuable knowledge in the workplace and outside.
To get a Level 3 certificate, a first aid practitioner must undergo three days worth of first aid training. This includes 18 hours of classroom instruction and course materials.
It also includes several qualification tests to determine your knowledge and prove to the regulatory body that you have what it takes to conduct first aid.
Plenty of companies send workers who, once approved, complete the three-day training courses to become licensed to perform first aid at work.
Here are a few key responsibilities and procedures a learner needs to know to complete their Level 3 First Aid at Work qualification:
- Conducting CPR in the event of a heart attack
- Taking care of spinal injuries
- Assessment
- Having a wide range of skills all first aiders need like injury and shock treatment
- Can deal with an adverse reaction to an illness (heart attack, stroke, seizure, etc.)
- Placing the patient in the recovery position until urgent services arrive
A significant regulatory body issues level 3 certifications, like Qualsafe. They qualify you to become a health and safety practitioner for three years from the time you are awarded.
First aiders who qualify for First Aid at Work are an asset for higher-risk workplaces and are a legal requirement in these areas. Learners are often trained to give employers better safety oversight.
Upon completing their qualification course, they have complete knowledge and an overview of common conditions. Their training courses are suitable to deal with the workplace.
What Is the Difference Between Level 3 and Level 2 First Aid?
There are several differences between first aid at work courses and emergency first aid training. These include the work training depth, the course length, and more.
Here are the unique differences between the Level 3 First Aid at Work course and the level 2 EFAW work qualification course:
- First aid at Work training lasts three days, while EFAW only lasts one day.
- The FAW course covers more in-depth treatment issues and deals with higher-risk situations. EFAW, meanwhile, covers low-risk office emergencies.
- Training multiple people in EFAW is cheaper and easier than in FAW.
- FAW learn how to handle seizures and other negative illness-based conditions
A higher-risk environment like a laboratory or factory can benefit from having learners who underwent Level 3 courses.
Standard office settings or schools will benefit from having more personnel trained at Level 2.
How to Choose the Perfect First Aid Level for Your Business
Choosing between First Aid at Work training (Level 3) and Emergency first aid courses (Level 2) is challenging in terms of time and resources.
As an employer, you will need to look at the first aid qualifications required for your business by law. You will benefit from First Aid at Work if your workplace is more prone to accidents.
If you are interested in on site first aid training for as many of your workers as possible, EFAW courses will do the trick. You can train more employees to become the designated first aider in an incident.
This becomes an issue of quality vs. quantity. You will be spending more money to send a single person to Level 3 training than a handful of people to Level 2 training.
Investing in level 3 training at that price would be more appropriate. Although, your organisation can undergo accreditation to be able to instruct training.
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Occupations That Use Level 3 First Aid at Work
Several occupations require having a level 3 first aider in the environment. These are typically non-medical fields required by law to have graduates of such training courses.
Here are some of the most common industries that require the protection of a first aid practitioner with Level 3 training:
- Factories and Manufacturing
- Forestry and Fisheries
- Construction
- Sports and Athletics
- Distribution and Shipping
- Outdoor and Nature Activities
- Agriculture
These fields require a higher tier of training because the risk of injury is much greater. One slip, one fall, one drop, or one slide can be the difference between safety and disability!
Thus, it becomes essential to be proactive and train specific individuals to respond in the event of a situation. This increases the survivability of your workers and staff.
Companies should thus be willing to include the training and equipping of such individuals in their budget.
Is There a Level 4 First Aid?
There is a first aid training course that offers a Level 4 Certificate. This is geared towards higher-level learners looking to become professional urgent medical technicians and responders.
A Level 4 first aid qualification allows a person who has completed their basic subjects to gain a possible career in urgent services, ambulance services, and high-risk work environments.
Here are some of the skills taught in level 4 Training Courses:
- Major illnesses
- Whole-body and limb immobilisation
- Administering medical gases
- Triage
- Heart disease
- Sexual assault
These training courses last five whole days and come with additional obligations, like workbooks that need to be completed. They are often funded by employers looking to improve the safety of their work environment.
Once they complete the course, approved level 4 first aiders are awarded their certification. This qualifies them for a career in ambulance services, medical response units, and other professions.
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Conclusion
In general, many employers can benefit from having workers that can assist in an accident. These first aiders can benefit from the wider range of skills a First-Aid at Work Course offers.
Higher-risk workplaces need to have a first aid at work qualified first aider on standby. This legal requirement is meant to increase the health and safety of all employees and management.
A business should study the safety first aid regulations it needs to meet and send its employees to the right course that will offer the necessary work and training qualifications.
