Occupational First Aid

This is a comprehensive 3 day QQI level 5 certification course which covers all the essential aspects of the occupational first aid as outlined in module D20188 and was introduced on 1 September 2008. This course will provide the learner with the knowledge, practical skills to give effective life support, diagnose and treat injuries or illness, and maintain care and comfort of the casualty and an understanding required to provide and co-ordinate first aid in the workplace in compliance with the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation 2007, part 7 – chapter 2, First Aid and associated guide to these regulations. An occupational first aider is a qualified person who is trained by a registered competent instructor in accordance with the standard of Ireland and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

Our trainers are registered Occupational First Aid Instructors with OFAAA.

Who should attend?
Anyone who wants to be trained and certified as an Occupational First Aider. According to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, there is a requirement on employers based on a risk assessment to have a sufficient number of occupational First aiders trained and deployed in the workplace.

Course Objectives

  • Understand the responsibilities of the occupational first aider.
  • To provide treatment for the purpose of providing life or minimizing the consequences of injury until discharge or arrival of medical assistance.
  • To provide treatment in the workplace for an injury which does not require attention of a medical practitioner or nurse.
  • Co-ordinate first aid arrangements in the workplace.
  • Be familiar with the health and safety legislation of first aid provision in the workplace.

Course Content

  • Unit 1: First Aid in the workplace – This Module covers the role of the occupational first aider, the legal requirements and how to effectively ensure the safety of the first aider in the work place
  • Unit 2: Patient Assessment – the candidate will be able to carry out the primary survey on a patient such as taking vitals (pulse, breathing, etc) signs.
  • Unit 3: Respiratory Emergencies – This covers the functions of the respiratory system and shows the occupational First Aider how to manage a choking patient as well how to do mouth to mouth ventilations.
  • Unit 4: Cardiac first response – the participant will understand the chain of survival and will be able to activate their links, by calling for an ambulance, starting CPR and using a Defibrillator effectively.
  • Unit 5: Wounds and Bleeding – This module looks at how to deal with blood injuries. They will know how to recognise the different types of wounds and know how to treat them.
  • Unit 6: An altered level of consciousness – The participant learns how to treat shock and how place a patient in the recovery position.
  • Unit 7: Musculosketal injuries – The participant will be able to treat patients who have fractured bones as well as deal effectively with casualties who have sprains, strains and dislocations.
  • Unit 8: Burns and scalds, chemicals, electric shock and poisoning – this module covers the treatment of major and minor burns as well as the many different causes of burns.

Equality, Access, Transfer and Progression

English is the language that the training in provided in and participants must have a good understanding of the English language. This course is a modular course and each module has a specific timetable. Candidates should be familiar with QQI Level 4 courses.

QQI Certification / Assessment

Participants complete a theoretical exam and skills assessments as per the following
Basic life savings skills 40%
Examination (short answer question) 30%
Skills demonstration x 2 30%

All assessments are carried out in accordance with QQI requirements and are both internally and externally authenticated before certification is issued. The examination is conducted by an independent instructor.

All successful candidates in the written and practical exams will be awarded a QQI level 5 certificate which is valid for 2 years.

Course Duration:
3 Days

Max Participants:
10

Certification:
Successful participants will receive a QQI Level 5 certificate. Refresher must be completed every 2 years.