Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Ireland
If you run or manage a workplace in Ireland — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.
An employer duty — to rescue a colleague
Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Ireland.
What the law requires in Ireland
How many designated first-aiders?
The employer designates enough trained occupational first-aiders based on a risk assessment (headcount, nature of work, degree of hazard, accident rate, remoteness from emergency services). The HSA gives an indicative guide of one first-aider for large workforces, with an extra first-aider for every 300 employees above 700.
Ireland governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
The occupational first-aid qualification includes a practical skills assessment; a blended format (online theory, in-person practical) is accepted.
Region specifics
- The occupational first-aid certificate must be renewed every 2 years through recertification training.
Why it matters
A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.
Is this really what you're looking for?
Our first-aid and CPR courses are 100% online, lead to a recognized certification, and exceed the required standards; a hybrid option is also available and fits most needs. Choose the course that fits your situation:
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Healthcare Professional (16h) - Compliant with CSA Z1210-17
This 16-hour first aid training, compliant with the CSA Z1210-17 standard, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Upon completion, the candidate will receive a certification valid for two years, meeting the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard. Skills will be updated annually, and the training must be renewed every two years to maintain active certification. Tailored for nurses, it strengthens the safety of residents in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Intermediate Level (16h) – CSA Z1210-17 Compliant
Upon successful completion of this 16-hour IN-PERSON intermediate-level first aid training, the candidate will receive a valid certification that meets the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
A provider not recognised by PHECC cannot deliver the FAR certificate the HSA accepts for workplace first-aiders. A non-accredited online course can only complement, never satisfy the requirement.