Workplace first aid readiness: how do I choose the right first aid course?

The Occupational Safety and Health Act §46 stipulates that the employer must ensure the provision of first aid for employees and other individuals present at each workplace. Maintaining first aid readiness must take into account:

• number of employees
• the nature of work
• working conditions.

In addition, the employer must appoint one or more employees for first aid duties and ensure their first aid training and equipment.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, on the other hand, does not address the extent of the first aid course or the specific number of trained first aid personnel. For this, there are separate recommendations issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI, Aluehallintovirasto in Finnish).

In their recommendations, workplaces are classified into three groups according to the risk of accidents.

Risk class I/III

The risk of accidents here is considered low. This includes, for example, office and customer service work. The work itself does not increase the risk of accidents. However, incidents such as a seizure, choking, or falling down stairs can happen anywhere, including workplaces with a low risk of accidents.

When the risk of accident is classified as I/III, which is low, it can be calculated that 5% of the staff should betrained in first aid. In many workplaces, this may mean one or two people. It is important to note that the trained first aider may not be present or they themselves might have an accident. In an emergency, it is also comforting to have several people with first aid skills available.

Therefore, we recommend training at least two individuals at every low-risk workplace, even though the minimum calculated number would be one person.

Which first aid course is suitable for a workplace with a low risk of accidents?

In office and customer service workplaces, a 4h Lifesaving First Aid course is considered a minimum requirement. This course covers and practices actions to take in a life-threatening situations. These are situations where the person in need generally cannot survive without the help of present helpers. Emergency first aid topics include unconsciousness, lifelessness, major bleeding, and choking.

Risk class II/III

Many workplaces belong to the intermediate accident risk category II/III. Here, the risk of accidents is considered obvious. In these workplaces, the work itself increases the risk of accidents. This accident risk category includes, among others:

• warehouse work
• transport sector
• construction industry
• industry
• forestry and agriculture
• loading and unloading of the vessel.

When the risk of an accident is evident, that is class II/III, there should be at least one first aid trained employee at each workstation and shift where fewer than 10 employees work. If there are more employees at the workplace, the minimum requirement is one first aid trained person for every 25 individuals or part thereof.

Remember to consider both shifts and different workstations at the workplace! It's always better to train more rather than too little. This way, planning shifts becomes straightforward, and in case of an emergency, there are more people with first aid skills present.

Which first aid course is suitable for a workplace with an obvious risk of accidents?

When there is an obvious risk of accidents, i.e., in workplaces where the accident risk category is II/III, the minimum requirement is the Basic First Aid course. This first aid course covers and practices, in addition to life-threatening situations, various other injuries that can occur at work. These topics also include different types of medical emergencies as well as wounds, joint injuries, fractures, burns, intoxication, and traffic accidents.

Risk class III/III

Some workplaces belong to the highest accident risk category, which is III/III. The risk of accidents is significant, when the work site includes:

• risk of drowning
• corrosive or toxic substances
• risk of fire, explosion, or electrical accident.

In these workplaces, it is justified to train one employee for every group of five (5) workers / workstation / shift. Additionally, if the risk of accidents is particularly high, the training should be conducted twice as often as usual.

Which first aid course is suitable for a workplace with a significant risk of accidents?

When there is a significant risk of accidents, i.e., in category III/III, a Basic First Aid course or the Advanced First Aid course is the recommended training. The course emphasizes the hazards present at the workplace. When the first aid course is organized as a on-site course or a hybrid course, the final exercises of the course can be carried out in authentic environments or simulating these spaces and situations.

Additionally, it is recommended that the refresher training be organized twice as often, that is, every one and a half (1.5) years, when there is a significant risk of accidents at the workplace.

Help in assessing workplace first aid readiness

If you need help to determine which risk category your workplace belongs to, which first aid course would be best for you in this situation, or how many employees should be trained with a first aid course, contact us, and we will help you free of charge with these questions.