As per the Department of Employment and Labour’s first aid training requirements, it is a legal requirement for businesses to conduct accredited first aid training for their workplace. This ensures that employers are equipped to provide first aid services to employees, contractors, and guests. This requirement is part of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993, which is enforced by the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) through inspections and compliance measures.
Recent changes to the OHS Act regulations highlight the importance of maintaining high standards in first aid training, ensuring quality, compliance, and safety in the workplace.
The Role of the Department of Employment and Labour in First Aid Compliance
The OHS Act consists of various sections and regulations aimed at safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of employees and visitors in any workplace. Compliance with these regulations is required across all business sectors, regardless of their core operations.
The Department of Employment and Labour has inspectors responsible for enforcing first aid provisions and monitoring compliance with the Act. According to the General Safety Regulations (GSR) of the OHS Act, employers must ensure that there are adequately stocked first aid kits and a qualified first aider present at all times. For every group of 50 employees, there must be at least one trained first aider, and workplaces handling high-risk substances require additional first aid provisions. Non-compliance with these requirements can result in fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach.
New First Aid Requirements: What Has Changed?
Recent updates from the Department of Employment and Labour—outlined in Government Gazette Notice 44663—highlight that all first aid training must be approved by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Only training providers accredited by HWSETA or other relevant Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are authorised to issue legally recognised first aid certificates. In addition, first aid providers must meet the Department of Labour’s approval, ensuring that training aligns with the OHS Act’s standards.
This regulation has set a clear standard for the delivery of first aid training in South Africa, ensuring that businesses comply with the OHS Act by choosing providers who meet these accreditation requirements.
First Aid Training Levels and Courses
The OHS Act requires workplaces to ensure they have trained first aiders, based on their risk level. First Aid training is divided into three levels, each offering progressively more advanced skills. These accredited courses are aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and equip employees with the necessary skills to manage emergencies effectively.
First Aid Level 1 (NQF Level 1)
Course Overview:
The First Aid Level 1 course is designed for beginners and serves as an introduction to essential first aid skills. It provides foundational knowledge and prepares individuals to handle common emergencies until professional help arrives. This course is valid for three years and covers the most crucial aspects of emergency care, safety, and scene management. Here are the key topics covered:
Principles of Emergency Care
The three guiding principles of first aid—Preserve Life, Prevent Further Injury, and Promote Recovery—are emphasised. Participants are introduced to core first aid practices that follow these principles.
Emergency Scene Management
First aiders are trained to assess and manage an emergency scene, ensuring the safety of rescuers and prioritising appropriate action. They are taught to call for emergency services and take leadership at the scene if necessary.
Basic First Aid Equipment
Learners are introduced to standard first aid equipment such as bandages, bag-valve masks, spinal boards, and suction units. Even if these tools are not available at every site, it is important to understand their use when available.
First Aid Level 2 (NQF Level 2)
Course Overview:
The First Aid Level 2 course builds on the knowledge gained in Level 1, providing intermediate first aid skills suitable for those working in higher-risk environments. In addition to covering more complex medical scenarios, it introduces first aid techniques for dealing with children and infants. The key areas covered include:
Child and Infant CPR
This section focuses on providing specialised CPR techniques for children and infants, who require different approaches than adults. First aiders learn how to assess an infant’s responsiveness, when to start CPR, and how to perform compressions and rescue breaths.
Poisoning, Bites, and Stings
Participants are trained to identify and treat cases of poisoning, as well as bites and stings from animals or insects. Symptoms such as burns around the mouth, chemical smells on the breath, vomiting, and altered mental states are covered in detail.
Elementary and Applied Anatomy & Physiology
A deeper understanding of anatomy (the structures of the human body) and physiology (the function of those structures) is provided, which is crucial for understanding the human body’s response to injuries and emergencies.
First Aid Level 3 (NQF Level 3)
Course Overview:
The First Aid Level 3 course is designed for those who are likely to face complex emergencies, such as first responders, security personnel, or emergency teams. It provides advanced training for handling severe injuries, high-risk environments, and unique emergencies like childbirth. Key areas covered include:
Advanced Emergency Care
This course equips first aiders with the skills to manage serious emergencies such as fractures, spinal injuries, severe bleeding, and shock. They are also trained to assist professional medical responders during the emergency.
Emergency Childbirth
Handling an emergency childbirth is one of the more complex skills taught in Level 3. Participants are trained to manage childbirth when professional medical help is not immediately available. Steps include preparing a sterile environment, safely delivering the baby, and ensuring the mother and baby remain stable until professional help arrives.
Disaster and Mass Casualty Management
First aiders learn to assess and manage emergency situations with multiple casualties. This includes triage, scene management, and coordinating with other first responders and emergency services.
Meeting First Aid Training Requirements
Employers are legally obligated to train at least one first aider for every 50 employees, and the first aid certificate must be approved by the Department of Labour’s Chief Inspector. Additionally, companies should assess the specific risks associated with their work environment, which may require more specialised or advanced first aid training, especially in high-risk sectors.
Training providers must cover both general and specific first aid content, including the basics of anatomy, CPR, bleeding, and emergency response protocols. Employers should ensure that their training provider is both SETA- and Department of Labour-accredited to avoid legal consequences. Non-compliance can result in penalties ranging from fines to legal action, making it critical to select an accredited provider like FAFST for workplace first aid training.
Why Compliance with First Aid Training Requirements is Essential
Employers have a duty to protect their workforce by ensuring they are prepared for emergencies. Compliance with DOL first aid training requirements ensures a safe work environment and minimises the risk of injury or fatality. Research shows that applying first aid and CPR during emergencies can significantly improve recovery outcomes and save lives.
In addition, having strategically placed first aid kits stocked with appropriate supplies is a vital part of compliance. These kits must include essentials such as bandages, antiseptics, and scissors, ensuring that first aiders can provide immediate treatment in an emergency.
Failure to comply with the OHS Act can result in severe penalties, including fines or legal action. Therefore, it’s essential to select an accredited first aid training provider like First Aid, Fire, and Safety Training (FAFST) to ensure compliance and workplace safety.
By following these guidelines, businesses can ensure that they meet Department of Labour first aid requirements and create a safer, compliant work environment. Having trained first aiders and the necessary first aid equipment in place is a critical step in protecting employees and visitors from unexpected accidents and medical emergencies.
