health and safety news
First aid guidance - recent changes
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have carried out an evaluation of first aid in the workplace finding that although first aid awareness and penetration in workplaces was good, compliance was found to be more ‘in spirit’ than to the letter of the regulations.
This exposed some important problems in the format and content of guidance and in the proportionality of the current regulatory requirements for lower risk employees.
To combat this, the HSE have introduced changes, to their first aid guidance, developed in consultation with employers and training providers to make it easier for employers to comply with relevant regulations.
The changes came into effect on Thursday 1 October 2009. This was the first major change to the first aid training requirements in 25 years.
What has changed?
The current initial four day First Aid at Work (FAW) course has been shortened to three days
There is also a new one-day training course called Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
It is strongly recommended that FAW and EFAW students attend an annual three-hour refresher course to prevent 'skills fade'. You will not need to take the annual refresher in the same year that you attend a requalification course to renew your certificate.
The FAW requalification remains unchanged at two days.
Both the First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work courses will be approved by the HSE and must be taught by HSE approved first aid training providers. Training for appointed persons may be taught by non-HSE approved training providers. Current FAW certificates will still be valid up until the expiry date, even if this is after 1 October 2009. A new requalification course will be required when your current certificate is about to expire.
The HSE have also updated their guidance for employers on how many first aiders will be needed, depending on the size and nature of the organisation. However, it is up to each employer to maintain their risk assessment. Further details can be found on the HSE website
For more information on how to assess your first aid requirements, contact ERS on 0845 602 4065 or email ers.ltd@ecclesiastical.com
