Employee Guide Your rights and training explained

First Aid Guide for Employees in Ireland.

Everything employees need to know about First Aid at work - who your first aiders are, how to react in an emergency, and the simple skills that could help you save a colleague's life.

Get Trained €33 Employers Guide
compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007
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Valid 2 years
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Your rights

Know what to do in an emergency and get certified in under an hour.

When a colleague is hurt or suddenly ill, the right action in the first minutes matters most. Learn the skills and know your role at work.

  • Know who your first aiders are
  • React fast and call 112 or 999
  • Learn CPR and other basic skills
Full course price
€33 · final price
4
Things every employee should know
90 min
To complete the course
2 years
Certificate validity
24/7
Access on any device
Know your workplace

What Every Employee Should Know.

A few simple things make all the difference when a colleague needs first aid at work.

Know Your First Aiders

Find out who the trained first aiders are in your workplace and how to reach them quickly in an emergency.

Know Where the Kit Is

Know where the first-aid kit and the nearest AED are kept so you can fetch them without delay.

Know How to Call for Help

Be ready to call 112 or 999, give a clear location, and send someone to meet the ambulance.

Report and Record

Report any injury or near-miss to your employer and make sure it is written up in the accident book.

Your responsibilities

Your Responsibilities as an Employee.

While employers have primary responsibility for workplace safety, employees also have legal duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005:

  • Attend training - Take part in any First Aid Training your employer offers
  • Know the basics - Learn who your first aiders are and where the kit and AED are kept
  • Act in an emergency - Raise the alarm, call 112 or 999, and help if you are able
  • Report hazards - Notify supervisors of unsafe conditions and near-misses
  • Look after each other - Take care of your own safety and that of your colleagues
You have a duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work.

Understanding First Aid Training

First Aid Training teaches you how to respond when someone is hurt or suddenly ill at work. The course covers:

  • The primary survey - The DRSABCD approach to assess any casualty safely
  • CPR and AED use - Giving chest compressions and using a defibrillator
  • Life-threatening emergencies - Choking, severe bleeding, shock and the recovery position
  • Sudden illness - Recognising heart attack, stroke, asthma and anaphylaxis
  • Getting help - Calling 112 or 999 and handing over to the emergency services

Good First Aid Training gives you the confidence to act. The skills you learn could one day save the life of a colleague, a family member, or a stranger.

Can I Complete Training Myself?

Yes. While employers should provide or arrange training for appointed first aiders, you can also complete a First Aid Course independently. This is useful if:

  • You are job seeking and want to stand out to employers
  • Your current employer has not yet organised training
  • You want to refresh your knowledge
  • You work in a casual or contract role

Our online course costs €33 and provides an instant certificate upon completion. Many job seekers complete the course to improve their employability.

How to Be Ready at Work

Beyond formal training, here are simple steps that help you respond well in an emergency:

  1. Know your first aiders - Find out who is trained and how to reach them fast
  2. Locate the equipment - Know where the first-aid kit and AED are kept
  3. Save the numbers - Remember to call 112 or 999 in a serious emergency
  4. Stay calm - A clear head helps you and the casualty
  5. Check for danger - Make sure it is safe before you approach
  6. Act within your training - Only do what you have been taught to do
  7. Report it - Record the incident once the casualty is safe
FAQs

Questions Employees Ask.

Common questions from Irish workers about First Aid Training and their rights.

Does my employer have to pay for my First Aid Training?
If your employer appoints you as a workplace first aider, they must provide your training at no cost to you, and it should take place during working hours where possible. You can also choose to train independently to boost your own skills and employability.
Do I have to become a workplace first aider?
Employers usually ask for volunteers to become trained first aiders. You are not generally forced to take on the role, but having first-aid skills is valuable to you and your colleagues, and it can make you stand out to employers.
How often do I need refresher training?
Your certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, so you should complete refresher training before it expires. Skills like CPR fade over time, so regular refreshers keep you confident and ready to act.
What should I do if a colleague collapses?
Stay calm, check for danger, and call 112 or 999 straight away. Send for the nearest trained first aider and the AED, and start CPR if you are trained and the person is not breathing normally. Knowing these basics is exactly why first-aid training matters.

Get Your First Aid Training.

Protect yourself at work with proper training and certification. Complete the course in about 90 minutes and download your certificate instantly.

Enrol Now €33 View Certificate
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Coverage · Ireland nationwide

First Aid Training, everywhere you work.

One CPD Certified, RoSPA Approved and aligned with the HSA Guide to Workplace First Aid, fully compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 First Aid Course - delivered online to every Irish city, every industry and every role. Instant First Aid Certificate on passing, valid for 2 years nationwide.

Renewing? Use our fast First Aid Refresher. Looking for formally recognised training? See our First Aid HSA page. Need the basics first? Start with what First Aid actually is and the workplace first-aid risk assessment.

Find your city

Every major Irish city has its own dedicated First Aid Course page - same compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 training, tuned to your local workforce.

Find your industry

Eight sector variants, from healthcare to farming, with real Irish workplace scenarios specific to your day-to-day.

Healthcare & HSE

Nurses, care assistants, porters, paramedics and home carers across every Irish health service.

Warehousing & logistics

Pickers, packers, forklift operators, couriers and distribution centre staff lifting daily.

Retail & supermarkets

Shop floor teams, stockroom workers and delivery drivers in stores and shopping centres.

Construction & trades

Labourers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and plant operators on every Irish site.

Manufacturing

Production line, assembly, quality control and maintenance in pharma, food and medtech.

Hospitality & hospitality

workplace, housekeeping, maintenance and event teams across hotels and venues.

Office & administration

Office teams handling deliveries, IT equipment, file boxes and furniture moves.

Agriculture & farming

Farm workers, livestock handlers, agricultural contractors and seasonal crews.

Every First Aid resource

Training, certification, refresher, online delivery and specialist guides - one accredited Irish platform, one consistent standard.

First Aid Course Full compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 syllabus, video modules, short assessment and instant certificate - 90 minutes, any device. Explore course First Aid Training Why training matters, Irish employer duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 (the First-Aid Regulations), and what good training looks like. Learn more First Aid Certificate How the certificate is issued, how long it lasts, and how Irish employers verify it online at any time. See certificate First Aid Online Flexible online delivery on phone, tablet or desktop - the same Fire-authority aligned standards on any device. Go online First Aid Refresher Renew your First Aid Cert in 90 minutes with the latest Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and HSA guidance - verifiable for a fresh 2-year cycle. Refresh now First Aid HSA How HSA, CPD and RoSPA accreditation work together in Ireland - and what employers actually recognise. See accreditation

Popular First Aid searches

Exact-match phrases Irish workers and employers search for - each one links to the right page on our site.

Courses
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Certificates
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Accreditation
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By city
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