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First aid training for businesses gives nominated staff the skills to manage an injury or medical emergency in the minutes before emergency services arrive, and it helps employers meet their duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. BOTI does not run first aid courses itself. This guide explains what to look for when you choose a first aid provider for your company, and which courses in BOTI’s health, safety and wellness training courses help you build the wider safety system around your first aiders.
The business problem first aid training solves
Workplace injuries, medical emergencies and collapses do not wait for an ambulance. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the General Safety Regulations, employers must have enough trained first aiders on site for their number of employees and the risks of the workplace. If you fall short of this duty, the business can face enforcement action and civil liability. More importantly, people can come to avoidable harm.
For HR, L&D and operations leaders, the practical problem has two parts. You must meet the legal first-aider requirement, and you must make sure the people you nominate can actually act in an emergency, not just hold a certificate. A good first aid course prepares delegates to manage bleeding, burns, fractures, shock, choking and cardiac arrest. You also need records that show compliance during an inspection by the Department of Employment and Labour or an internal audit.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for organisations that train their own staff, not for individual job-seekers. It is written for:
- HR and L&D managers rolling out OHS compliance across sites or branches.
- Business owners and SME leaders who need designated first aiders to meet legal requirements.
- Operations, plant and facilities managers in manufacturing, mining, logistics, retail and construction, where the risks are higher.
- Office-based employers in finance, professional services and call centres, who still carry a legal first-aider obligation.
- SHEQ and safety officers building or refreshing an internal emergency-response capability.
Whether you need two trained receptionists or cover for a 200-person warehouse, the steps are the same. Work out how many first aiders each site and shift needs. Choose a course level that matches your risks. Keep a register so certificates do not lapse.
What workplace first aid training should cover
Workplace first aid training in South Africa is commonly offered in three levels. Match the depth of training to your risk profile and to the duties of your nominated first aiders. The table below is a general guide to use when you compare providers.
| Level | Focus | Typical workplace |
|---|---|---|
| First Aid Level 1 | Basic life support, scene safety, CPR, common emergencies | Offices, retail, low-risk environments |
| First Aid Level 2 | Intermediate trauma, wound and fracture management, medical conditions | Warehousing, logistics, manufacturing |
| First Aid Level 3 | Advanced emergency care, multiple-casualty and high-risk response | Mining, construction, heavy industry |
Whatever the level, check that the course outline includes:
- The role, duties and legal responsibilities of a workplace first aider
- Emergency scene assessment and personal safety
- Adult, child and infant CPR and the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator)
- Managing an unconscious or non-breathing casualty
- Controlling bleeding, and treating wounds, burns and fractures
- Recognising and responding to shock, choking and seizures
- Managing common medical emergencies (heart attack, stroke, diabetic and asthmatic episodes)
- Stocking, maintaining and using the workplace first aid kit
- Recording incidents and handing over to emergency medical services
Choose practical, assessment-based training with hands-on practice, so that delegates show they can do each skill rather than only listen to a lecture.
Accreditation and certificates: what to check
Anyone searching for first aid training providers for companies in South Africa should ask the same questions of every provider:
- Does the certificate meet the OHS Act requirements for a workplace first aider? Ask for confirmation in writing.
- Which level does the course cover, and how many days does it take?
- How much of the course is hands-on practice with CPR manikins and AED training units?
- How are delegates assessed, and what happens if a delegate is not yet competent?
- How long does the certificate stay valid, and when is refresher training due?
- Can the training run at your premises, so a whole shift is trained together?
Keep copies of certificates and a register of first aiders per site and shift. These records are what an inspector or auditor will ask for.
How BOTI supports your first aid and safety plan
First aiders are one part of a safe workplace. The people who manage risk, investigate incidents and carry legal responsibility need training too. BOTI’s health and safety courses cover that wider system:
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Course (2 days): the OHS Act duties of employers and employees, hazard identification and risk control.
- Health and Safety Representative (SHE Rep) Training (2 days): for appointed representatives who inspect the workplace and raise safety concerns.
- Incident and Accident Investigation Training (1 day): finding root causes after an incident so that it does not happen again.
- OHS Act Legal Liability for Section 16.2 Appointees and Managers (1 day): what managers carrying legal responsibility must know and do.
Emergency preparedness also includes fire. Read our guide to fire safety training when you plan your emergency-response team.
Planning and funding the training
Include first-aider training and your other safety training in your Workplace Skills Plan, so that the spend is planned and reported. Employers pay the Skills Development Levy at 1% of payroll[1]. The SETA mandatory grant pays back 20% of levies paid, but only when the WSP and Annual Training Report are submitted by 30 April[2] and levy payments are up to date. Our guide to what a Workplace Skills Plan is explains the process. Confirm with your SETA how specific training is treated. This is general guidance, not legal or financial advice.
Ask BOTI to help you work out which safety roles your sites need training for, and request a quote for the health and safety courses that fit.
Why BOTI
- Compliance-focused: practical safety training built around OHS Act duties and audit-ready record-keeping.
- Trusted by South African organisations: BOTI’s clients include Sasol, Glencore and the City of Johannesburg, and BOTI holds a Google rating of 4.8 from more than 770 reviews.
- Breadth: a catalogue of 450 corporate courses, so you can cover safety, compliance and governance training with one supplier. Pair safety training with POPIA training for a complete compliance plan.
- Credentials: BOTI is a QCTO-accredited Skills Development Provider and a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor. See BOTI’s accredited programmes where you need a formal qualification route.
Frequently asked questions
How many first aiders does my workplace legally need?
The General Safety Regulations under the OHS Act link the number of trained first aiders to your headcount, and higher-risk sites need more cover. Check the regulations for your exact numbers, count each site and shift separately, and confirm the figure with your safety officer or health and safety committee.
How do I choose a first aid training provider for my company in South Africa?
Ask the provider which first aid level the course covers, how much time is hands-on practice with CPR and AED equipment, how delegates are assessed, what certificate they receive, how long it stays valid and whether it meets the OHS Act requirements for workplace first aiders. Ask for this in writing so you have it for audits.
Does BOTI provide remote site medical services for mining and construction?
No. BOTI is a training company and does not supply medics, clinics or emergency medical services on site. BOTI can train your supervisors, managers and safety representatives in health and safety duties, incident investigation and OHS Act legal liability, so your site team runs its safety systems well.
How long is a first aid certificate valid?
It depends on the provider and the level. Check the expiry date on each certificate, keep a register of your first aiders and book refresher training before certificates lapse, so your cover stays in place when staff leave or move sites.
Can BOTI train our team on our own premises?
Yes. BOTI’s health and safety courses run in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. In-house training lets a whole team learn together with less time away from the workplace.
Build the safety system around your first aiders. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Course gives managers, supervisors and safety staff a working grasp of the OHS Act, workplace hazards and the controls that prevent injuries. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. This course is not accredited. It is delivered as a professional skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. Call BOTI on 011 882 8853 or email [email protected], or request a quote.
Sources
- Skills Development Levy – South African Revenue Service (SARS), 2026.
- Mandatory Grants – Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA), 2026.