What Does the First Aid at Work (FAW) Course Cover?
Updated 30 September 2026 · 3 min read · Amber Training
Reviewed for accuracy by a qualified Amber Training first aid trainer.
First Aid at Work (FAW) is the full, three-day, Level 3 workplace first aid qualification. It includes everything in the one-day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course, then adds the wider range of injuries and illnesses a first aider in a higher-risk or larger workplace may face: fractures, head and spinal injuries, chest injuries, serious burns, eye injuries, poisoning, anaphylaxis, and major illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma and diabetic emergencies. It is assessed through practical skills and short written assessments, and the certificate lasts three years.
Everything in the one-day course
The three-day course starts with the same emergency core (see what Emergency First Aid at Work covers):
- The role of the first aider, and assessing an incident safely
- The unresponsive casualty: the recovery position, CPR and defibrillator use
- Choking, external bleeding and shock
- Seizures and minor injuries
Plus the wider syllabus
The extra two days go deeper and wider:
- Bones, muscles and joints: fractures, dislocations and sprains, including immobilising and supporting injuries
- Head and spinal injuries: recognising them and protecting the casualty until help arrives
- Chest injuries
- Burns and scalds: assessing severity and treating serious burns, not only minor ones
- Eye injuries: foreign bodies, chemicals and wounds
- Poisoning: recognising sudden poisoning and what to do
- Anaphylaxis: recognising a severe allergic reaction and helping with an auto-injector
- Major illnesses: heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma and diabetic emergencies
Much of it is hands-on: slings and immobilisation, spinal handling, repeated CPR practice and realistic scenarios. When we deliver on site we build scenarios around your actual risks, whether that is a fall from height on a construction site or a forklift incident in a warehouse.
How the course is assessed
Across the three days, the trainer observes each delegate in practical assessments, including CPR with a defibrillator, choking, the secondary survey, fractures and anaphylaxis. There are also short written assessments to check understanding, and everything assessed is taught on the course.
Renewal
The certificate lasts three years. Renewing takes a two-day requalification course instead of the full three days, ideally before expiry. It is also open to certificates expired by up to a month; between one and three months it is the employer's decision, and after three months the full course is needed. HSE also recommends a short annual refresher in between. See certificate renewal.
Who needs First Aid at Work
Higher-risk workplaces generally need first aiders trained in First Aid at Work: construction, warehousing and logistics, manufacturing, workshops and care settings. Larger low-risk workplaces also move to the three-day course as headcount grows under HSE's suggested starting points (see how many first aiders you need). If you are unsure, your first aid needs assessment decides it, and our guide comparing the two courses walks through the choice.
We deliver First Aid at Work on site anywhere in England for £1,595 per session, up to 12 staff, all-inclusive. Book training. No payment until your booking is confirmed. Confirmation by email within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the First Aid at Work course?
First Aid at Work is the full, three-day Level 3 workplace first aid qualification. It covers everything in the one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course plus a wider range of injuries and illnesses, and it is the level HSE guidance points to for higher-risk workplaces and larger workforces.
How long is the First Aid at Work course?
Three days, with a minimum of 18 hours of training in line with HSE guidance. The certificate is valid for three years, and renewing it takes a two-day requalification course rather than the full three days.
What does First Aid at Work cover that the one-day emergency course does not?
The three-day course adds fractures, dislocations and sprains, head and spinal injuries, chest injuries, serious burns and scalds, eye injuries, poisoning, anaphylaxis, and major illnesses including heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma and diabetic emergencies.
Which workplaces need First Aid at Work rather than the one-day course?
Generally higher-risk workplaces such as construction, warehousing, manufacturing, workshops and care settings, and larger workforces where HSE guidance suggests first aiders trained to this level. Your first aid needs assessment decides it.
Book First Aid at Work for your team
First Aid at Work: 3 days at your venue, £1,595 per session for up to 12 staff, including trainer, equipment, certificates and travel.
Ofqual-regulated certificates. No payment until your booking is confirmed. Confirmation by email within one working day. Private sessions for your team, not public courses.