First aid preparedness and first aid training - changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's guidelines
Last change in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration´s online service: 01.03.2023
Last update on this page: 16.08.2023
New guidelines on first aid preparedness! Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated its guidance on workplace first aid preparedness.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's guidelines on first aid preparedness have changed. Other authorities are also changing their guidelines and requirements to be in line with those.
Ensure the right number of trainees and the right first aid courses! On this page you will always find up-to-date and clear information on first aid training and the associated regulatory requirements.
Regulatory guidelines and requirements for first aid training! Click on the + sign to open.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has changed the designations used for first aid courses in its guidelines during 2023. In the past, different abbreviations have been used for first aid courses, which is not possible today due to the commercial use of trademarks.
Different abbreviations and acronyms for first aid courses have been completely removed or will be removed from official guidelines and requirements. Outdated guidelines are being updated, as their usability, clarity, and examples no longer fully meet today's standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration now recognizes the following designations for first aid courses:
- Emergency first aid course
- Basic First Aid course
- First Aid Refresher course
- Advanced first aid course
The guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are also generally followed for the various requirements of other authorities.
- Extract from the new guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, with new designations
The employer or occupational health service must keep a record of employees who have received first aid training. The records must show the proportion of staff trained, the training received (e.g. basic first aid course, advanced first aid course, special courses) and the date of training.
It may take time to see the change
Despite the changes in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you may still see old titles used in un-updated government guidelines, training requirements or job advertisements.
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In the workplace survey*, the occupational health service is responsible for assessing, together with the employer, the number of first-aid trainees and the need for first-aid courses.
*The workplace survey must clearly identify the required first aid courses (Emergency First Aid, Basic First Aid, specialized courses, etc.) and the number of trainees. According to the Government Decree, Occupational Health Services must act independently, which is why references to specific training organizations or course titles are not appropriate or ethical. Employers should have the opportunity to freely select first aid training organizations based on the workplace survey, so the names of first aid courses should adhere to the terminology provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
General first aid training objectives and recommendations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Overall target: at least 5% of employees have received first aid training, including refresher training. The presence of first-aid trainees at workstations or during different shifts should be taken into account.
- The target applies to jobs of all sizes.
- First-aiders must also be present in small workplaces and in groups working away from fixed workplaces, either permanently or for longer periods.
- If the job involves a lot of traffic or constant work in different places, such as maintenance, installation or construction work, it can be a good idea to train all employees, for example in emergency first aid.
- There must be a sign at the workplace indicating who the first-aid qualified persons are.
Specific recommendations for accident-prone sectors:
Accident-prone sectors: industry, storage, construction, forestry and agriculture, fishing, loading and unloading of ships, transport, etc.
| Number of employees | First Aid trained | Training requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 10 | At least 1 person / for each work site and shift | Basic first aid course, refresher course every 3 years |
| 10 or more | At least 1 person / starting 25 persons or 5% of the total number for each site and shift | Basic first aid course, refresher course every 3 years |
Workplaces with a high risk of accidents:
The risk of accidents can be specific to work-related hazards, such as the risk of drowning, exposure to corrosive and toxic substances, as well as the risk of fire, explosions, or electrical accidents.
| Number of employees | First Aid trained | Training requirements |
|---|---|---|
| >1 | At least 1 person per 5 persons in each work area and shift* | Basic first aid course focusing on specific hazards in the workplace, refresher course is recommended in every 1.5 years |
Electrical work:
First aid training is recommended for all those involved in electrical work, including at least the teaching of CPR through practical exercises and first aid for burns.
First aid training programmes in the old manuals presented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The first aid section of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has replaced the previous guide on first aid preparedness in the workplace. However, the new first aid section does not explicitly define the content and duration of first aid training. We will continue to follow the old information regarding the duration of first aid training until Occupational Safety and Health Administration indicates otherwise.
The emergency first aid course lasts 8 hours and includes activities in accident and emergency situations, CPR and bleeding. The training is valid for three years.
The basic first aid course lasts 16 hours and covers accident response, emergency first aid, wounds, fractures, burns and poisoning. The training is valid for three years.
The Advanced First Aid course lasts 16 hours and includes a refresher course on emergency first aid, typical workplace accidents and interaction with professional paramedics. The training is valid for three years.
First Aid Refresher course takes 4-8 hours and includes a refresher course on emergency first aid skills and a walk-through of the alarm system. The refresher course maintains the validity of the basic and advanced first aid courses.
It is the employer's responsibility to organise adequate first aid preparedness at the workplace, and the occupational health service must assess the need for first aid preparedness and determine the level required to achieve it. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the employer must always ensure that there are enough people with first aid skills in the workplace.
The employer must take into account working patterns, such as shift work, and ensure adequate first aid preparedness for all shifts. Employers whose employees work in shared workplaces are responsible for their own employees and their safety. When planning first aid, it cannot be assumed that it will be provided by another employer.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the employer or occupational health service must keep records of workers who have received first aid training. The records must show the proportion of staff trained, the training received (e.g. basic first aid course, advanced first aid course, special courses) and the date of training. These records will help to ensure that there are always enough people with first aid skills in the workplace.
From the perspective of first aid preparedness, first aid training is not strictly mandatory for all workplaces, but in practice, it is required in the majority of workplaces. Exceptions may include workplaces where the staff has received first aid training elsewhere or possesses skills that eliminate the need for separate first aid training. While such exceptional workplaces are rare, for example, a fire department can be considered a place where continuous training of personnel might be deemed sufficient for first aid preparedness, and separate first aid courses may not be required.