According to the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993, South African business owners have a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of their employees while at work. In particular, the General Safety Regulations specify that employers have a duty to ensure that employees have access to first aid treatment at all times. Fulfilling this obligation requires sending a team member (or members, depending on the size of your organisation) on an accredited first aid course.
The aim of this article is to help you understand what first aid courses cover, the different levels of first aid training available, and how to select the right training provider.
Why first aid training is essential for all workplaces
You may think that first aid training isn’t really necessary in a low-risk office setting. After all, how injured can an employee get sitting in front of a computer all day? In reality, office workers can (and do) sustain injuries: tripping over extension cords, slipping on wet floors, being hit by items falling from improperly stacked storage shelves, sustaining burns and electrical shocks from faulty appliances or overloaded sockets, etc. In addition, medical emergencies like strokes, heart attacks, or diabetic episodes are just as likely to happen at work as anywhere else.
The best way to ensure that you’re ready to handle workplace injuries and medical emergencies—regardless of your industry or company risk profile—is having a trained First Aider on staff.
What’s more, first aid training isn’t just about looking out for your employees’ wellbeing. If you employ more than 10 people, you’re legally required to send at least one full-time staff member on a first aid course. Failing to do so is a contravention of the OHS Act. Should one of your employees become seriously injured or harmed at work and an investigation finds you to be negligent in this regard, you could be issued with a contravention notice or a fine.
What is first aid?
In a nutshell, first aid is the care given to an injured or ill person before medical professionals like paramedics are able to arrive and take over.
First aid is useful in a wide range of workplace emergencies. In the case of severe injuries or medical emergencies, first aid is a lifesaving skill that greatly increases a casualty’s chances of survival and making a good recovery. In the case of minor injuries, like small abrasions or superficial burns, first aid is often all that’s needed to effectively treat the injury.
What a First Aid NQF Level 1 course covers
The Gold Standard for workplace first aid training is a First Aid NQF Level 1 course. First Aid NQF Level 1 courses cover the following topics:
- Basic anatomy and physiology
- Scene survey and casualty assessment
- CPR and choking
- Shock and fainting
- Bleeding, wounds, and burns
- Fractures, sprains, and strains
- Head, spinal, chest, and abdominal injuries
- Environmental emergencies (heat stroke, hypothermia, etc.)
- Medical emergencies (heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, diabetic episodes)
- Triage
- Record keeping
- Scene safety
- Legal aspects
A good-quality first aid course should take place over two days and must include both theoretical and practical elements. Delegates are given the opportunity to perform CPR on manikins, use an AED, and practise skills like bandaging and splinting, putting a casualty in the recovery position, performing head-to-toe examinations, and relieving a choking obstruction, etc.
What to consider when selecting a first aid training provider
The General Safety Regulations of the OHS Act specify that first aid training must be provided by an organisation approved by the Chief Inspector of the Department of Employment and Labour. Look for health and safety training providers accredited by the following bodies:
- Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL)
- Health and Welfare Sectional Educational Training Authority (HWSETA)
- Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
- Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa (RCSA)
Avoid any First Aid Level 1 courses offered over just one day; it simply isn’t enough time to cover the required content or offer sufficient practical experience.
Once a delegate has successfully completed their first aid course, they will be issued with a certificate. This certificate is proof of training and should a DoEL inspector visit your premises, they may well request to see it. Ask for the training provider’s CI certificate number, which is a unique DoEL number confirming that the training is accredited and recognised by the DoEL. It’s also advisable to select a provider that commits to a certificate delivery turn-around time of no more than two weeks.
Keep in mind that first aid certificates are valid for a three-year period, after which First Aiders must renew their certification by retaking the course, or moving to a more advanced level such as the First Aid Level 1, 2 & 3 combined course.
Taking it to the next level: First Aid NQF Levels 1, 2 & 3 combined course
Health and Safety Teams working in high-risk environments—such as factories, mines, construction, or adventure sports tourism—may choose to undertake a higher level of first aid certification. A First Aid Levels 1, 2 & 3 course is a five-day first aid course that offers a broader, more in-depth curriculum than a First Aid Level 1 course. The advanced course covers additional topics, including drowning, childbirth, emergency scene management, patient assessment, and dealing with mass casualty emergencies, as well as practising practical additional skill and scenarios.
It is worth noting that an advanced first aid course is not reserved for those working in high-risk environments. Any First Aider showing interest in upskilling should be offered the opportunity to complete a First Aid Levels 1, 2 & 3 course when their first aid certificate is due to expire, instead of simply repeating a Level 1 course.
Getting started with first aid training
The best First Aiders are those who have a genuine interest in being part of their workplace Health and Safety Team. Therefore, it’s a good idea to let employees volunteer to be appointed, and to spend time consulting with HR to pick the best candidate(s) for the role. Don’t rush the selection process; a good First Aider is worth their weight in gold.
Find out more or book your First Aid NQF Level 1 training here.
