How long is the SIAS Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work valid for?

The qualification is valid for three years from the date of certification. After this period, you must take a full re-qualification course to remain a certified first aider. It is recommended to take annual refresher training to keep skills up to date, though this is not mandatory.

Do I need to pass a written exam for this award?

Yes, the assessment includes both a multiple-choice theory paper and practical demonstrations. You must pass both components to achieve the qualification. The practical assessment covers scenarios like CPR, choking, bleeding, and unconsciousness.

Can I use an AED on a child?

Yes, but you should use paediatric pads if available. If not, adult pads can be used, ensuring they do not touch each other. For children under 1 year, manual defibrillation is preferred, but if not available, an AED with paediatric settings is acceptable.

What is the difference between a first aider and an appointed person?

A first aider holds a recognised qualification (like this Level 3 Award) and can provide first aid treatment. An appointed person is someone who takes charge of first aid arrangements (e.g., calling emergency services, maintaining kit) but does not necessarily have formal training. In low-risk workplaces, an appointed person may suffice.

How do I treat a suspected spinal injury?

Do not move the casualty unless there is immediate danger. Keep them still, support their head and neck in line with the body, and call 999. If they are unconscious but breathing, use the recovery position with careful spinal alignment (log roll with assistance).

What should I include in a workplace first aid kit?

A minimum kit should contain: individually wrapped sterile plasters, sterile eye pads, triangular bandages, safety pins, medium and large sterile dressings, disposable gloves, and a first aid guidance leaflet. Additional items may be needed based on risk assessment (e.g., burn dressings, scissors).

Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace

SIAS

vocational

This subtopic equips first aiders with the practical skills to conduct a secondary survey and manage a range of workplace injuries and acute illnesses. It covers recognition and immediate care for musculoskeletal trauma, head and spinal injuries, chest wounds, burns, eye damage, poisoning, anaphylaxis, and major medical emergencies such as heart attack or stroke. Emphasis is placed on systematic assessment, safe intervention, and timely escalation to emergency services.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

SIAS Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

Topic Overview

The SIAS Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work is a regulated qualification designed for individuals who wish to become a designated first aider in the workplace. It covers essential first aid skills, including managing emergencies, treating injuries, and responding to life-threatening conditions. This course is critical for ensuring workplace safety and compliance with UK health and safety legislation, such as the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

Students will learn how to assess incidents, perform CPR, use an AED, treat wounds, fractures, burns, and manage medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and anaphylaxis. The qualification is typically delivered over three days (18 hours) and includes both theoretical knowledge and practical assessments. Mastery of this award demonstrates competence in providing immediate care until professional medical help arrives.

Within the broader Health & Social Care curriculum, this award complements understanding of patient care, risk assessment, and emergency response protocols. It is particularly relevant for those pursuing careers in healthcare, social care, education, or any role requiring first aid responsibilities. The skills gained are transferable and vital for promoting a safe environment in any setting.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The primary survey (DRABC): Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation – a systematic approach to assessing a casualty.
→CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use: Essential for cardiac arrest management, with a ratio of 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
→Management of bleeding: Direct pressure, elevation, and use of dressings/bandages; understanding when to apply a tourniquet or haemostatic dressing.
→Recovery position: Placing an unconscious but breathing casualty on their side to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration.
→Recognition and treatment of shock: Identifying signs (pale, clammy, rapid pulse) and managing by lying the casualty down, raising legs, and keeping them warm.

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

Demonstrate a systematic secondary survey, accurately identifying non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
Assess and provide first aid for suspected bone, joint, and muscle injuries, using appropriate splinting and support.
Manage a casualty with suspected head or spinal trauma, maintaining spinal motion restriction and monitoring vital signs.
Recognise and treat chest injuries, including penetrating and blunt trauma, applying appropriate dressings.
Apply correct first aid for burns and scalds, considering the cause, extent, and depth of the injury.
Provide immediate care for eye injuries, including safe removal of foreign bodies and chemical irrigation.
Implement first aid for a casualty with suspected poisoning, ensuring personal safety and identifying the toxin where possible.
Administer emergency treatment for anaphylaxis and major illnesses such as heart attack or stroke, prioritising life-saving interventions.

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for demonstrating a structured secondary survey that includes history taking, vital signs check, and head-to-toe examination.
Look for correct application of immobilisation principles: support above and below the injury, secure with triangular bandages or splints, and check circulation.
Credit recognition of spinal injury signs and accurate demonstration of manual in-line stabilisation and safe log-roll techniques.
For chest injuries, expect correct identification of a sucking chest wound and application of an airtight seal, with appropriate positioning.
For burns, award marks for immediate cooling with cool running water for at least 10 minutes and removal of constricting items before swelling.
Assess that eye irrigation is performed from inner to outer canthus and that no attempt is made to remove embedded objects.
In poisoning scenarios, credit gathering information (substance, quantity, time) without personal risk, and contacting Poisons Information Centre or emergency services.
For anaphylaxis, look for prompt administration of auto-injector to outer thigh, calling 999, and correct positioning based on breathing status.
For major illness, reward recognition of key signs (e.g., FAST for stroke, central chest pain for heart attack) and appropriate immediate care and positioning.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡Practice the secondary survey sequence until it becomes automatic: interview, check vitals, and conduct a thorough head-to-toe exam.
💡Memorise and rehearse immobilisation techniques for different limb injuries, as practical assessments often involve hands-on demonstration.
💡For spinal injuries, use the mantra 'Hold the head, log roll, and maintain alignment' – consistency across practical scenarios is key.
💡Understand the distinctions in first aid for dry burns, wet scald burns, and chemical burns, including appropriate cooling and dressing.
💡When assessing an eye injury, always ask about the mechanism and check for visual disturbances to provide accurate information to healthcare professionals.
💡In poisoning cases, never induce vomiting; your role is to gather information, ensure scene safety, and call for medical help.
💡Learn the JRCALC anaphylaxis guidelines: IM adrenaline into the outer thigh, repeat after 5 minutes if no improvement, and position the casualty based on symptoms.
💡Use the FAST acronym to quickly identify stroke and recognise the critical importance of time for thrombolysis or other treatments.
💡Always start with scene safety and your own protection (gloves, etc.) – this is a key assessment criterion. Examiners look for a systematic approach.
💡When demonstrating CPR, ensure you verbalise the steps: check for response, shout for help, open airway, check breathing, call 999, then start compressions. Clear communication shows understanding.
💡For practical assessments, practice the sequence of actions for common scenarios (e.g., unresponsive casualty, bleeding, burns) so you can perform them smoothly without hesitation.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Skipping or rushing the secondary survey after the primary survey, focusing only on obvious injuries.
Failing to manually stabilise a suspected spinal injury before accessing the airway or moving the casualty.
Applying ice, butter, or wet dressings to burns, or not cooling for the recommended duration.
Attempting to remove an object embedded in the eye, causing further damage.
Overlooking scene safety when approaching a poisoning incident, risking contamination.
Confusing anaphylaxis with a mild allergic reaction and delaying or not administering adrenaline.
Placing a conscious casualty with a suspected heart attack in the recovery position instead of a half-sitting position.
Misconception: You should put butter or cream on a burn. Correction: Cool running water for at least 20 minutes is the correct first aid; never apply creams or ice.
Misconception: If someone is choking, you should slap them on the back. Correction: For adults, encourage coughing first; if ineffective, give up to 5 back blows then 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre).
Misconception: You must always move a casualty to a comfortable position. Correction: Only move if there is immediate danger (e.g., fire); otherwise, keep them still to prevent further injury, especially if spinal injury is suspected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of health and safety in the workplace.
•No formal first aid knowledge is required, but familiarity with the concept of emergency procedures is helpful.
•Physical ability to perform CPR and other practical skills (e.g., kneeling, bending).

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Systematic Casualty Assessment
Musculoskeletal Injury Management
Head and Spinal Trauma Care
Chest Injury First Aid
Burns and Scald Treatment
Eye Injury Response
Poisoning and Anaphylaxis Emergencies
Major Illness Recognition

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Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace

Assessment criteria

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

Learning Objectives

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

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Before You Start

Key Terminology

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