First Aid Training at Work: What South African Law Requires

First aid training is one of the most straightforward yet most frequently overlooked aspects of workplace OHS compliance. Many South African businesses either don't have trained first aiders, have certifications that have lapsed, or have the wrong level of training for their workplace risk profile. Here is what you need to know.

What Does the OHS Act Say About First Aid?

General Safety Regulation 3 under the OHS Act requires every employer to ensure that an adequate number of employees are trained to render first aid. The Regulations further specify that a first aid box or kit must be available and maintained, and that trained personnel must be present whenever employees are at work.

Understanding the Three Levels of First Aid

First Aid Level 1 — Basic Life Saving

Duration: 2 days | Validity: 3 years

Level 1 covers essential skills for the initial response to an emergency — what to do in the critical minutes before emergency services arrive. Topics include:

•        Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation awareness

•        Managing choking, bleeding, and shock

•        Burns, fractures, and soft tissue injuries

•        Poisoning and overdose basics

First Aid Level 2 — Intermediate Care

Duration: 3 days | Validity: 3 years

Level 2 builds on Level 1 and is appropriate for higher-risk workplaces. It covers more complex assessment and management of medical emergencies, multi-casualty incidents, and workplace-specific scenarios.

First Aid Level 3 — Advanced First Aid

Duration: 5 days | Validity: 3 years

Level 3 is designed for high-risk environments such as mining, petrochemical, and industrial settings. It covers advanced patient assessment, extended care while awaiting medical assistance, and complex trauma management.

Which Level Does Your Business Need?

Don't Let Certificates Lapse

First aid certificates are valid for three years. After that, re-certification is required. One of the most common compliance failures is businesses that trained employees years ago and assumed the certificates were still valid. A DoL inspector will check the dates.

FTS Safety Group recommends setting a reminder 90 days before your team's certificates expire — giving you enough time to schedule and complete re-certification without a compliance gap.

Train at Our Centres or On-Site

FTS Safety Group delivers First Aid Level 1, 2, and 3 courses at our branches in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pietermaritzburg. We also offer on-site training at your premises for groups of eight or more — reducing time away from work and the cost of transporting staff.