Impending HSE First Aid training changes
On the 1st October 2009 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will release new guidance on first aid to employers.
Sep 10, 2009
First Aid Needs Assessment
It is a legal requirement for employers to undertake a first aid needs assessment. The Approved Code of Practice, the law behind the first aid at work regulations says “An employer should make an assessment of first-aid needs appropriate to the circumstances of each workplace”.
2009 HSE First Aid Training Changes
On the 1st October 2009 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will introduce new guidance on undertaking a first aid needs assessment. The updated guidance will see the introduction of a new HSE approved 1 day Emergency First Aid at Work course to replace the current Appointed Persons course and a new 3 day First Aid at Work course.
The qualifications of all First Aiders trained under the current system (before October 2009) will remain valid and can be counted in the new first aid needs assessment.
A comprehensive guide to the new changes is available to download using the links below:
HSE First Aid Needs Assessment - From October 2009
HSE First Aid Needs Assessment - Examples
Due to the wealth of evidence on the severity of ‘first aid skill fade’, from October 2009, the HSE now recommend that First Aiders and Emergency First Aiders attend annual refresher training. The flow chart below shows the HSE’s recommended sequence of training.