Changes to first aid at work regulations
First aid cover in the workplace is a
legal requirement. The Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) introduced a new set of regulations
which came into force on 1 October 2009.
Your legal requirement
What hasn't changed is the legal requirement to provide adequate
first aid cover. Our online tools can help you check if you have
gaps in your cover.
- Our workplace training guide will
check the number of first aiders you need against current
legislation and it also provides resources for checking related
health and safety issues like the number of fire marshals you
require
- All but the smallest of workplaces should carry out a
first aid needs review to identify risks which may affect the
number of first aiders you require or additional precautions or
training that may be needed.
The 5 things you need to know
1. The First aid at work course
| What's changed |
What do I need to do? |
|
The First aid at work course was shortened to 3
days from 1 October 2009.
|
We've already updated our course schedule to reflect the new
guidance, so you'll automatically be booked onto a 3 day course.
|
2. New training for lower risk environments
| What's changed |
What do I need to do? |
|
The new 1-day Emergency first aid at work
course has been created which covers the most common risks. The
syllabus for this course has been specified by the HSE and can only
be taught by HSE approved providers of the First aid at work course
or Ofqual (QCA) registered providers.
|
Our workplace training guide will
help you to understand if this course is suitable for you. You
should also complete a full
first aid needs review.
|
3. Annual refresher training
| What's changed |
What do I need to do? |
|
Free annual refresher training
A 3-hour annual refresher course has been
specified by the HSE.
It is now strongly recommend that this course is completed
annually between requalification to keep first aid skills
fresh.
|
We recommend that you plan in the half day of additional
training per year for all your first aiders to ensure that their
skills remain fresh.
We will send you reminders when your first aiders need to attend
their annual refresher. You can book places for this course
now.
|
4. Current first aiders
| What's changed |
What do I need to do? |
| Nothing - current first aid at work
certificates are valid until they expire. |
You'll need to ensure that current first
aiders requalify when their certificate expires. |
5. A new risk assessment may be required
| What's changed |
What do I need to do? |
|
The
HSE
is
updating the rules about the number of first
aiders needed in a workplace.
It is expected that the HSE have reduced the categories of
risk to two: low and high.
|
You'll need to complete a new risk assessment to determine the
number of first aiders you need.
Until then, you still need to have the right number of first aiders according to
current legislation.
|
Tools to help you understand the changes