The First Aid Responder course is a 3-day, PHECC-accredited training programme that prepares a person to give immediate first aid in the workplace until professional help arrives. It replaced Occupational First Aid in 2018 and is the standard recognised by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for workplace first aiders in Ireland.

A first aid responder is a trained workplace first aider who holds a current PHECC First Aid Responder certificate. They are the designated person who assesses a casualty, performs CPR and uses an AED if needed, controls bleeding, manages shock and common medical emergencies, and hands over to the ambulance service.

The course runs over 3 days. At WorkSafe Ireland you can take it as 3 consecutive days or as 3 separate dates spread over three weeks, whichever suits your roster. Class sizes are kept small (up to 8 on public courses) so everyone gets enough hands-on practice. See upcoming course dates.

A first aid responder provides the first line of care after a workplace incident: making the scene safe, carrying out a primary patient assessment, performing Cardiac First Response (CPR and AED), managing airways, bleeding, burns and shock, recognising common medical emergencies such as stroke or a cardiac event, and keeping a record of any treatment given.

"First aid" is the help itself — the immediate care given to a casualty. A "first responder" is the trained person who delivers it. In an Irish workplace, that role is formalised as the PHECC First Aid Responder qualification, which goes further than a basic first aid course by including Cardiac First Response and structured patient assessment.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but in Ireland the recognised workplace standard is the First Aid Responder (FAR). "First aider" is the general label; "First Aid Responder" is the specific PHECC qualification an employer needs on site to satisfy HSA requirements. If you're hiring or rostering, ask for a current FAR certificate — or talk to us about training your team.

Yes — the PHECC First Aid Responder qualification is the recognised standard for workplace first aid in Ireland and is accepted by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). A FAR holder is fully equipped to act as your workplace first aider. (Note: emergency-services "first responder" roles such as Cardiac First Responder schemes are separate, community-based programmes.)

In a workplace context, a first responder in Ireland is someone holding a current PHECC First Aid Responder certificate. More broadly, "first responder" can also describe community Cardiac First Responder (CFR) volunteers and the emergency services. The workplace qualification you'll usually need is the FAR course.

Complete a PHECC-accredited First Aid Responder course with an approved provider, pass the continuous and final assessment, and you'll receive your FAR certificate. No prior qualification is required to start. You can book a place on a public course or arrange in-company training at WorkSafe Ireland.

For the workplace, no entry qualification is needed — you simply complete the 3-day PHECC First Aid Responder course. You should be reasonably physically able to perform CPR, as the course is practical and hands-on. The FAR certificate is the qualification employers look for, and it pairs well with your SOLAS Safe Pass and Manual Handling certs.

Most people find it very manageable. It's practical and hands-on rather than academic, with continuous assessment over the three days and a final practical and theory check. Our small class sizes and experienced trainers mean you get plenty of supported practice before assessment.

WorkSafe Ireland public courses are €175 per person; in-company training is €1,950 for 4–16 people plus a €32 registration fee per participant, with breakfast roll and refreshments included. The PHECC First Aid Responder certificate is valid for 2 years, after which a First Aid Refresher course renews it.