Workplace first aid changes - questions and answers
Why are the changes happening?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), carried out an evaluation
of first aid in the workplace and found that 'although first aid
awareness and penetration in workplaces was good, compliance was
found to be more "in spirit" rather than the letter of the
regulations and this exposed some important deficiencies in the
format and content of guidance and in the proportionality of the
current regulatory requirements for lower risk employees'. .
The changes have been developed in consultation with employers
and training providers and it is hoped that the new format will
make it easier for employers to comply with the regulations.
When will the changes come into effect?
The changes will come into effect on Thursday 1 October
2009.
Will they change again?
This is the first major change to the first aid training
requirements in 25 years, so although there is always the
possibility of further changes, they are not expected for some
time.
What are the changes?
The current initial four day First Aid at Work
(FAW) course will be shortened to three
days and there will be a new qualification of
Emergency First Aider in the Workplace (EFAW) that
will require a one day training course.
The FAW requalification remains unchanged at
two days.
The HSE will also strongly recommend that FAW and EFAW
students attend an annual three hour Annual refresher
course to prevent 'skills fade'.
Both the First aid at work and Emergency first aid in the
workplace 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.
Is my current FAW certificate still valid?
Yes, up until the expiry date even if this is after 1 October
2009.
What has happened to the Appointed persons course?
Based on the HSE’s new guidance, St John Ambulance no
longer runs an Appointed persons course in England and
Wales.
We recommend the HSE’s new regulated course –
Emergency first aid in the workplace - to those interested in
Appointed persons.
The HSE do not classify Appointed persons as first-aiders and
state the following: ‘The role includes looking after the first-aid
equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when
required. The Appointed person should not attempt to give first aid
for which they have not been trained’.
A company without a trained first aider puts the
wellbeing of staff at risk and there is always a
possibility of accidents or sudden illness in the workplace,
whatever an organisation’s size.
Does the drop from 4 days to 3 mean there is going to be less
content trained on the First aid at work course?
On 1 April 2009 the HSE confirmed that the First aid at work
course will be similar to the current version in content, but will
be covered in three days, not four. Recent simplification of first
aid protocols, including CPR and casualty movement, mean that less
time is needed to teach these and other subjects. The teaching
techniques used by St John Ambulance Ambulance’s highly skilled
trainers will ensure your first aiders will continue to be trained
to the highest standards demanded by the HSE.
When do I have to do a new requalification course?
When your current certificate is about to expire.
Will I have to attend refresher training?
The HSE recognise that 'skills fade' does occur during the three
year validity of current certificates and strongly recommends a
three hour Annual refresher course at the end of both the first and
second year of your First aid at work qualification.
You will not need to take the Annual refresher in the same year
that you attend a requalification course to renew your
certificate.
Is the insurance cover that St John Ambulance gave to me when I
completed my course still valid?
Yes and will remain valid for the life of the certificate.
What course will I need to do; will I need more first
aiders?
Employers are required to carry out a risk
assessment to decide on the numbers of first aiders required
and the level of training needed.
When assessing your specific needs, employers need to
consider:
- workplace hazards and risks
- the size of the organisation
- the organisation's history of accidents
- the nature and distribution of the workforce
- the remoteness of the site from emergency medical services
- the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers
- employees working on shared or multi-occupied sites
- annual leave and other absences of first aiders and appointed
persons.
The HSE will provide updated guidance for employers on 1 October
2009 on how many first aiders will be needed depending on the size
and nature of your organisation. However, it is up to each employer
to maintain their risk assessment.
What is the difference between a first aider in the workplace
and an emergency first aider in the workplace?
A risk assessment will highlight the
level of risk in the workplace, using this information you will be
able to decide what course is required for your first
aiders.
Generally speaking, first aiders with a First aid at work
certificate will be required in higher risk sites or places with a
large workforce or high perceived level of risk; lower risk may
only require Emergency first aid in the workplace trained staff,
but this will dependant on other factors that a risk assessment
will identify.
The syllabus for Emergency first aid in the workplace is similar
to the current six hour Emergency aid course trained by St John
Ambulance. So the new Emergency first aid in the workplace training
will be appropriate for many of those currently holding an
Emergency aid for appointed persons qualification.