First Aid at Work vs Emergency First Aid at Work: What’s the Difference?

Providing suitable first aid arrangements is an important responsibility for employers. If somebody becomes injured or ill at work, having appropriately trained people available can help make sure they receive immediate assistance while further medical help is arranged where necessary.

Two of the most common workplace first aid courses are First Aid at Work, often shortened to FAW, and Emergency First Aid at Work, commonly known as EFAW.

Although the names are similar, the courses are designed to provide different levels of training. Emergency First Aid at Work focuses on the essential skills needed to respond to a workplace emergency. First Aid at Work includes those emergency skills but covers a broader range of injuries, illnesses and first aid situations.

The right course for your workforce depends on your first aid needs assessment, the hazards associated with your activities, the number of employees and other factors specific to your workplace.

In this guide, The Building Safety Group explains the difference between First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work, who each course may be suitable for and what employers should consider when deciding what level of training they require.

 

What is Emergency First Aid at Work?

 

Emergency First Aid at Work is designed to give people the essential skills needed to provide immediate first aid when somebody is injured or becomes ill at work.

The Health and Safety Executive, or HSE, describes EFAW training as enabling a first aider to provide emergency first aid to somebody who becomes injured or ill while at work.

Our emergency first aid at work course is a one-day programme designed for people appointed to take charge of emergencies in the workplace. It covers areas including summoning the emergency services, providing basic first aid treatment to conscious and unconscious casualties and dealing with the aftermath of a workplace accident.

Emergency First Aid at Work can therefore be suitable where an employer’s first aid needs assessment identifies that this level of training is appropriate.

 

What is First Aid at Work?

 

First Aid at Work provides more extensive training.

HSE explains that FAW includes the Emergency First Aid at Work syllabus but also trains first aiders to provide first aid for a wider range of specific injuries and illnesses.

Our first aid at work training covers the practical skills required by a workplace first aider and is intended to give delegates the knowledge and confidence to respond to first aid emergencies.

The course is designed to help delegates recognise trauma and medical emergencies, provide basic first aid treatment to conscious and unconscious casualties and manage workplace incidents where somebody requires medical attention.

The broader syllabus means FAW may be more appropriate for workplaces where the first aid needs assessment identifies a greater level of risk or where first aiders may need to respond to a wider range of potential injuries and illnesses.

 

What is the main difference between First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work?

 

The main difference is the scope and depth of the training.

Emergency First Aid at Work focuses on the immediate response to an emergency. It is intended to give first aiders the skills to respond when somebody becomes injured or ill and requires urgent assistance.

First Aid at Work incorporates the emergency first aid syllabus but goes further by covering a wider range of injuries and illnesses. HSE makes this distinction when describing the two levels of workplace first aid training.

Another practical difference is the amount of training involved. BSG’s EFAW course is delivered over one day, while FAW involves more extensive training due to its wider syllabus.

The question for employers should not simply be which course is quicker. The correct consideration is which level of training is appropriate for the risks and circumstances of the workplace.

 

First Aid at Work vs Emergency First Aid at Work at a glance

 

	First Aid at Work	Emergency First Aid at Work
Common abbreviation	FAW	EFAW
Purpose	Broader workplace first aid training	Essential emergency workplace first aid
Includes emergency first aid skills	Yes	Yes
Covers a wider range of injuries and illnesses	Yes	More limited
BSG course duration	More extensive course	One day
Certificate period	Three years	Three years
Who decides what is required?	Employer following first aid needs assessment	Employer following first aid needs assessment

 

HSE states that certificates for workplace first aid purposes last for three years. It also strongly recommends annual refresher training to help first aiders keep their basic skills up to date.

 

Do I need FAW or EFAW?

 

There is no single answer that applies to every business.

Employers should determine their first aid arrangements by carrying out a first aid needs assessment.

HSE states that employers should use the findings of this assessment to determine whether they need trained first aiders, what level of training is appropriate and how many people need to be trained.

The assessment should reflect the real circumstances of the workplace.

Factors that may need to be considered include:

• The nature of the work being carried out
• Workplace hazards and risks
• The number of employees
• The size and layout of the workplace
• Whether employees work across several locations
• Shift patterns and working hours
• Lone working
• Planned and unplanned absences of trained first aiders
• Distance and response time from emergency medical services
• The history of accidents and incidents
• Whether members of the public are present
• Employees who travel or work remotely
• Particular risks that could result in serious injury

The outcome may indicate that EFAW is sufficient for some workplaces, while others require employees trained to the broader FAW level.

Some businesses may need a combination of different arrangements.

 

When might Emergency First Aid at Work be suitable?

 

EFAW may be suitable where a first aid needs assessment identifies a lower level of workplace risk and determines that employees need the core skills required to respond to an emergency.

The course can help participants understand how to respond when somebody suddenly becomes ill or suffers an injury and immediate assistance is required.

For example, the training may be appropriate for certain workplaces where the nature of the activities and likely injuries do not create a need for the wider FAW syllabus.

However, employers should not automatically choose EFAW because a workplace appears relatively safe.

A proper first aid needs assessment should still be carried out. HSE places responsibility on the employer to determine an adequate and appropriate level of first aid training based on the circumstances of the workplace.

 

When might First Aid at Work be required?

 

FAW may be more appropriate where the workplace presents greater risks or where first aiders could reasonably be expected to deal with a broader range of injuries and illnesses.

This is particularly relevant in industries where employees work with machinery, vehicles, tools, hazardous substances, heavy materials or other significant workplace hazards.

Construction is an obvious example.

Construction sites can involve work at height, plant and machinery, manual handling, moving vehicles, temporary works, electrical hazards and numerous other risks.

HSE’s construction guidance states that all construction sites must have suitable first aid arrangements. Its guidance indicates that the appropriate level of first aider depends partly on workforce numbers and the types of injuries that may occur.

For construction sites with between five and 50 employees, HSE guidance indicates at least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW depending on the injuries that might occur. For sites with more than 50 employees, its current construction guidance indicates at least one FAW-trained first aider for every 50 people employed or part thereof.

Employers should still base their arrangements on the circumstances of the site rather than treating workforce numbers as the only consideration.

 

Is Emergency First Aid at Work the same as First Aid at Work?

 

No.

Although both courses can result in someone being trained as a workplace first aider, they provide different levels of training.

HSE recognises both EFAW and FAW certificates as possible forms of competence for workplace first aiders, depending on the circumstances. It specifically states that FAW contains the EFAW syllabus plus additional training covering a wider range of specific injuries and illnesses.

It would therefore be incorrect to treat the two qualifications as interchangeable without considering the workplace’s first aid needs.

An EFAW-trained employee may be entirely appropriate in one workplace but insufficient for another.

 

Is an appointed person the same as a first aider?

 

No. This is another important distinction.

An appointed person is responsible for taking charge of first aid arrangements in situations where an employer’s first aid needs assessment has determined that a trained first aider is not required.

HSE states that an appointed person’s responsibilities can include looking after first aid equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when necessary. An appointed person does not need first aid training to fulfil that role.

A trained first aider is different.

A first aider has completed appropriate training and holds a valid certificate of competence at a level suitable for the workplace, which may include EFAW or FAW.

Businesses should therefore avoid assuming that simply appointing somebody to manage the first aid box means they have provided a trained first aider.

Whether trained first aiders are required should be determined through the employer’s needs assessment.

 

How many first aiders does a workplace need?

 

There is no single number that applies to every workplace.

HSE states that there are no fixed rules specifying an exact number of first aiders for all employers. The appropriate number depends on the findings of the employer’s first aid needs assessment and the circumstances of the workplace.

Employers should consider whether sufficient first aid cover will be available whenever employees are at work.

For example, a business may technically have several trained first aiders but still have inadequate coverage if they all work the same shift or are based at the same location.

Employers should consider:

• Different shifts
• Holidays
• Sickness absence
• Training days
• Workers on separate floors or sites
• Remote locations
• Mobile workers
• Overtime
• Weekend work

First aid provision should work in practice, not simply look adequate on a list of employee qualifications.

 

What first aid provision is required on construction sites?

 

Construction employers need to pay particular attention to first aid because of the nature of the work and the potential consequences of workplace injuries.

HSE’s current construction guidance states that sites should have a first aid box containing enough equipment for the number of workers, an appointed person responsible for first aid arrangements and information telling workers who the appointed person or first aider is and where they can be found.

Depending on the number of workers and the risks involved, trained first aiders may also be needed.

Employers should consider the types of incidents that could realistically occur on their sites.

The first aid needs assessment should reflect the site’s work activities and changing conditions. First aid arrangements established at the beginning of a project should also be reviewed when circumstances change.

For example, workforce numbers may increase significantly during certain phases of construction. Different trades may introduce new hazards and the distance between working areas can change as a project develops.

 

How long do First Aid at Work certificates last?

 

HSE states that workplace first aid certificates last for three years. Before a certificate expires, the first aider needs to undertake suitable requalification training to obtain another valid certificate.

Once a certificate has expired, HSE states that the individual is no longer considered competent to act as a workplace first aider on the basis of that certificate.

Businesses should therefore monitor expiry dates rather than relying on employees to remember when their qualifications need renewing.

At BSG, our FAW course information recommends refreshing the qualification every three years through the relevant requalification course.

 

How long does an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate last?

 

EFAW certificates used for workplace first aid purposes also have a three-year certification period under HSE’s workplace first aid framework.

Our EFAW course should therefore be refreshed every three years.

Employers should plan renewal training before certificates expire so that adequate first aid cover remains available.

If several employees were originally trained at the same time, this is especially important because their certificates may also expire together.

Keeping an internal training record can help businesses identify upcoming expiry dates early enough to arrange suitable courses.

 

Should first aiders receive refresher training every year?

 

HSE strongly recommends annual refresher training for workplace first aiders so they can maintain their basic skills.

This is separate from the three-year certificate renewal cycle.

First aid skills may not be used regularly, particularly in workplaces where serious accidents are uncommon. Refresher training can help people revisit the practical skills and knowledge they may need during an emergency.

An employer’s first aid arrangements should therefore consider ongoing competence rather than focusing only on certificate expiry dates.

 

Does First Aid at Work include EFAW?

 

Yes.

HSE states that First Aid at Work training includes the Emergency First Aid at Work syllabus and then provides additional training that prepares the first aider to respond to a broader range of specific injuries and illnesses.

This is one of the clearest distinctions between the two courses.

FAW is not simply a different version of EFAW. It builds on the emergency first aid content and provides greater breadth.

This is why employers with higher-risk workplaces may determine through their needs assessment that FAW is the more appropriate choice.

 

Can a workplace have both FAW and EFAW-trained employees?

 

Yes. Depending on the findings of the first aid needs assessment, an employer may decide that a mixture of first aid training is appropriate.

For example, a business may have employees trained to FAW level alongside additional employees holding EFAW certificates.

The important point is that the overall arrangements must be adequate for the workplace’s needs.

Employers should consider whether appropriate first aid cover is available across all working times and locations and whether the level of training reflects the injuries and illnesses that might reasonably occur.

The needs assessment should guide the decision rather than simply aiming for a particular number of certificates.

 

What should employers consider when choosing a first aid course?

 

When deciding between FAW and EFAW, employers should start with the workplace rather than the course.

Questions to consider include:

What are the main hazards?
A workplace involving significant construction, manufacturing or industrial risks may require a different level of provision from a low-risk office environment.

What types of injuries could occur?
Consider credible incidents associated with the work and whether first aiders may need knowledge beyond basic emergency response.

How many people could require first aid?
Workforce size matters, but it should be considered alongside risk.

Where do employees work?
A large construction site, several separate work areas or remote locations may require additional first aid coverage.

When do employees work?
First aid provision needs to account for shift patterns and other periods when the usual first aiders may not be present.

How quickly could emergency services arrive?
Location and access may affect the first aid arrangements that are appropriate.

Are there particular employee needs?
HSE’s first aid guidance requires employers to consider the circumstances of their workforce as part of their first aid provision. Its main guidance was updated in 2024 to place greater emphasis on considering employees’ mental health within the first aid needs assessment.

Once these issues have been considered, the employer can make a more informed decision about whether EFAW, FAW or another appropriate level of training is needed.

 

Why choosing the right first aid training matters

 

First aid arrangements are intended to provide practical help when somebody becomes injured or unwell.

Choosing a course simply because it is shorter or because it has always been used by the business may not reflect the actual risks employees face.

Similarly, automatically putting every employee through the most extensive available course is not a substitute for assessing what the workplace genuinely requires.

A first aid needs assessment allows employers to take a structured approach.

The assessment can identify:

• Whether trained first aiders are needed
• How many are required
• What level of training is suitable
• Where first aiders need to be located
• What equipment and facilities are necessary
• How cover will be maintained during absences
• Whether additional training is appropriate for particular risks

Arrangements should also be reviewed if the workplace changes.

A construction business may take on larger projects. A company may move premises. Employee numbers may increase. New machinery, processes or substances may introduce different hazards.

Changes such as these can affect the level of first aid provision required.

 

First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work: which should you choose?

 

The key distinction can be summarised simply.

Emergency First Aid at Work provides essential emergency first aid skills. First Aid at Work includes those skills but covers a broader range of workplace injuries and illnesses.

EFAW may be appropriate where the employer’s needs assessment identifies that emergency-level training provides adequate cover.

FAW may be more appropriate where workplace hazards, workforce numbers or the types of injuries that could occur indicate a need for more extensive training.

For construction employers in particular, the risks associated with site activities mean first aid provision should be considered carefully rather than treated as an administrative exercise.

 

Book workplace first aid training with The Building Safety Group

 

At The Building Safety Group, we provide workplace first aid training alongside a wider range of construction health and safety courses.

Our First Aid at Work course provides practical training for employees who need to qualify as workplace first aiders, while our one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course is designed to provide the essential skills needed to respond to workplace emergencies.

Employers should use their first aid needs assessment to determine which course and level of provision are appropriate for their workforce.

You can view available dates and book training courses through our website.

If you need help deciding which first aid course may be appropriate for your organisation, get in touch with our team to discuss your training requirements.