PUBLIC COURSES   

Dublin: May 21st – 23rd, June 18th – 20th, July 9th – 11th, 23rd – 25th, August 8th – 10th, 20th - 22nd & September 3rd – 5th, 26th – 28th 

Cork:   May 8th – 10th, 29th – 31st, June 11th – 13th, July 16th – 18th, August 13th – 15th & September 10th – 12th

Galway: May 9th – 11th, June 5th – 7th, July 11th – 13th, August 8th – 10th & September 5th – 7th 

Regulation 165(1)(b) requires employers to designate at each place of work under the employer’s control the number of occupational first-aiders as is necessary to give first-aid at the place of work concerned.

Click to view the HSA Guidelines on First Aid at Places of Work 2008

This comprehensive 3 day Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) Occupational First Aid level 5 Component certificate course covers all the essential aspects of Occupational First Aid as outlined in Module D20188 and was introduced on 1st September 2008. This course will provide the learner with the knowledge, practical skills to give effective life support, diagnose & 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) Regulations 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 set by the H.S.A. of Ireland and the P.H.E.C.C.

The 2008 standard consists of 8 units listed below and includes Cardiac First Responder training in automated external defibrillators (AEDs) as per PHECC standard and administering aspirin for heart attack patients.

Under 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.

With training from our HSA recognised Instructors our Occupational First Aid courses will satisfy your legal requirements under the regulations. All our teaching staff are registered Occupational First Aid instructors with the Health & Safety Authority agent OFAAA.

This programme is delivered as 3 day course by Certified Occupational First Aid Instructor from the HSA register. This course can also be delivered in half day modules, at night or over a two/three weekends if work requirements demand.

Who should attend?

Anyone who wants to be trained and certified as an Occupational First Aider and deliver first aid care according to the protocols taught in the course.

Course Objectives

Learners who successfully complete this module D20188 will:

- Understand the responsibilities of the occupational first aider.

   – Be familiar with health and safety legislation on first aid provision in the workplace

   – Be able to provide treatment for preserving life or minimising the consequences of injury until the arrival of medical aid

   – Be able to provide treatment in the workplace for an injury which does not require the attention of a medical practitioner or nurse

   – Be capable of coordinating first aid arrangements in the workplace

   – Successful participants will be registered as Occupational First Aiders with FETAC certification

English is the language in which training is delivered and participants must have a good command of the English language. If participants wish to bring an interpreter they may do so but prior notice must be given to Nifast.

Course Programme

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 workplace.

Unit 2: Patient assessment
After this module, the candidate will be able to do a primary and secondary survey on a potential casualty. They will know how to take vital (pulse, breathing, etc) signs and treat a casualty with a suspected neck injury.

Unit 3: Respiratory emergencies
This module covers the functions of the respiratory system and shows the Occupational First Aider how to manage a choking patient as well as how to do mouth-to-mouth ventilations.

Unit 4: Cardiac first response
After this module, the student 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 teaches the student how to deal with blood injuries. They will know how to recognise the different types of wounds and know how to treat them. They will be able to deal with head, eye and facial injuries as well as effectively minimising the consequences of internal bleeding.

Unit 6: Altered levels of consciousness
The student learns how to treat shock and how to do the recovery position. This will allow them to treat a casualty who has reduced or lost consciousness.

Unit 7: Musculoskeletal injuries
At the end of this module, the student will be able to treat patients who have fractured (broken) bones as well as deal effectively with casualties who have sprains, strains and dislocations.

Unit 8: Burns and scalds, chemicals, electric shock
This module covers the treatment of major and minor burns as well as the many different causes of burns. It also covers poisoning and how best to treat someone who has been poisoned. The student will cover electrical shock and how to manage a patient who has been electrocuted.

Methods of Training

The course is highly interactive with each theory session being followed by demonstration, practical tasks (including AED DVD for unit 4) and assessment of individual skills. Training will be delivered on a ratio of 1 mannequin and 1 training AED for every 4 learners as stated in the new standard. All participants receive a comprehensive first aid and CFR manual.

Pre-Course Requirements:

FETAC level 4 Certificate and/or relevant life and work experiences and/or leaving Certificate or equivalent qualifications.

Assessment/Certification:

FETAC Level 5 Occupational First Aid Certificate.