What does the law say?
Definitions
- First aider
- — a worker who provides first aid at the workplace and who has completed at least the training and refresher training required, adapted to the risks inherent in the employer’s activities.
In summary
- The employer determines the number of first aiders and their qualification.
- First aiders complete a mandatory basic training of at least 15 hours (content laid down in the annex to the Royal Decree).
- Maximum 15 participants per training.
- First aiders follow a mandatory annual refresher of 4 hours (exceptionally every two years).
- Training is only possible via the official training centres.
Legal text
“In companies of group A, B or C, each employer provides, after advice from the prevention advisor-occupational physician and the Committee, a sufficient number of nurses, first aiders or other designated persons, in proportion to the number of workers, the activities and the risk analysis, so that first aid can be provided throughout the working time. In group D, first aid is provided by the employer or by trained, designated workers.”
“Training and refresher training enable the first aider to acquire the knowledge and skills to recognise a life-threatening condition and apply the principles of first aid while awaiting the specialised services. The course comprises at least 15 hours (3 for objective 1, 6 for objective 2 and 6 for objective 3), with a maximum of 15 participants per instructor. The annual refresher comprises at least 4 hours. The certificate remains valid as long as the annual refresher is followed; otherwise the full basic training must be taken again.”