Draft guidance published on workplace first aid changes 21 February 2013

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) has published draft guidance to help employers get to grips with proposed changes to workplace first aid, due to take effect on 1 October 2013.

Two documents have now been published on the HSE website following the consultation on proposals to amend the First Aid Regulations (1981) and remove the requirement for HSE to approve first aid training providers.

"Removing the HSE approval process will give businesses greater flexibility to choose their own training providers and first aid training that is right for their work place, based on their needs assessment and individual business needs," comments HSE policy advisor Peter Brown.

"The draft guidance documents aim to provide practical support to help businesses assess and understand their first aid needs and find a provider best suited to them," he adds.

HSE, he says, will retain a role in setting standards by controlling the syllabus content for the basic first aid at work qualifications.

But Richard Evens, commercial training director at St John Ambulance warns: "Employers will have greater flexibility to select their own trainer, but they should carry out thorough checks to ensure that quality of training is not compromised."

And he adds: "Until the proposed changes take effect, the existing law applies, so all first aid training should continue to be carried out by an HSE-approved training provider."

For the HSE's new guidance documents click on the link below.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Health & Safety Executive
St John Ambulance

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