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First Aid Qualifications, Fitness Employers and Personal Trainers and the Law

The following is information for fitness and other types of employers, personal trainers and other employees about their first aid qualification, health and safety policy and procedure and insurance responsibilities

First Aid qualification requirements

The Law (Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981) states that employers (gyms, health clubs) are required to provide suitable first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel to enable immediate assistance to be given to employees or clients (members) if they are injured or become ill at work. Regulations state that in order to provide first aid to injured or ill person then that person shall not be suitable unless they have a valid certificate of competence in First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)”. It is up to individual personal trainers to ensure that their first aid qualification is up-to-date. For employed gym instructors and personal trainers, it is usually the employers’ responsibility to ensure that the required employees hold up-to-date first aid qualifications at the correct level (ie 1-day or 3-day qualification).

Who needs EFAW (1 day) and who needs FAW (3 days)?

EFAW (1 day) training enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work. FAW (3 days) training includes EFAW and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses. It is acceptable for trainers who working on a one-to-one basis with clients to have the EFAW (1 day). For a person working in situations where they are responsible for multiple clients (eg. fitness manager or duty manager) then the FAW (3 days) is required. Also is an employee of a fitness company is appointed as the main first aider within that organisation then the FAW (3 days) is required.

 

Self Employed Personal Trainers

If you are self-employed working on a one-to-one basis with clients then the EFAW is acceptable. However the FAW is always a better qualification as it covers first aid as well as emergency first aid. Personal Trainers must have:

- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) Qualification (minimum) or First Aid at Work (FAW) Qualification (ideal)

 

Employees of Fitness Companies

If you are an instructor or trainer and are employed by a gym or health club then you might well be required to hold a first aid qualification. The employer may or may not pay for you to get this. An employee, if you are to be appointed the or one of the main “first-aiders” for that company then you will be required to hold the full First Aid at Work (FAW) (link to FAW application) - 3 days. If you are not appointed at a main first aider then the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)  – 1 day, is acceptable.

 

Fitness Employers – Run your own in-house courses and get your staff Instructor qualified Courses and Assessor Courses

If you are an employer and require first aid training for your staff on an individual basis or on a group-basis at your own site then HFI can provide the right type of qualifications very cost-effectively. HFI can also qualify one of your own staff members to become your own first aid trainer and thereby saving a large amount of money over the years.

 

If you are unsure about how many first aiders your require for your business then get in touch and we will be able to assist you to  determine the number and type of first-aid personnel you should provide.