Monday, November 2, 2009
On the 1st October 2009, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) introduced new arrangements to the first aid training regime. These new arrangements mean that first aiders provided by an employer in the workplace for the purposes of the regulatory requirements must hold a certificate of competence in either ‘First Aid at Work' or ‘Emergency First Aid at Work'.
The following changes were implemented on 1st October 2009
1. The First Aid at Work (FAW) course was reduced from a four-day to a three-day course.
2. A new ‘Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course was introduced lasting for one day.
3. Providing they have current knowledge and skills in first aid, the training and experience of the following professionals now qualify them to administer first aid in the workplace without the need to have an FAW or EFAW certificate:
• doctors registered with the General Medical Council;
• nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council;
• paramedics registered with the Health Professions Council.
EFAW training enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work. FAW training includes EFAW and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illness.
Employers should use the findings of their first aid needs assessment to help them decide whether first-aiders should be trained in FAW or EFAW. If the needs of the workplace require FAW trained first-aiders to be provided, it is not an acceptable alternative to provide EFAW trained first-aiders.
On successful completion of an FAW or EFAW course, candidates will be issued with a certificate which is valid for three years. At the end of the three-year period delegates will need to undertake an FAW requalification course (two days) or another EFAW course to obtain another three-year certificate if they are to continue to fulfill the role of first-aider for the purposes of the regulatory requirements. This training should be organised before certificates expire.
Because research has shown that following training, the practical skills of first-aiders can deteriorate, the HSE has introduced a strong recommendation that first-aiders undertake annual refresher training during any three-year FAW/ EFAW certification period. Although not mandatory, this will help qualified first-aiders maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes to first aid procedures. Immediate Care Solutions offers annual refresher training, click here for details.
The new training arrangements do not affect first-aiders holding a valid FAW certificate obtained before 1st October 2009.
The ‘appointed person' will remain the minimum requirement where an employer's first aid needs assessment identifies that a first-aider is not necessary. Their role will still be to take charge of the first aid arrangements, including looking after the first aid equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required. They can also provide emergency cover, within their role and competence, where a first-aider is absent due to unforeseen circumstances.
Appointed persons do not need first aid training, although Immediate Care Solutions will continue to offer emergency first aid training courses in the form of a ‘First Aid for the Appointed Person' course for these employees, click here for details. HSE approval is not required for this type of training.