Welcome to GH Safety - Hot Topics eNewsletter
November 2009
Important changes to First Aid Regulations
From October 2009
What is Changing?
Following a review of UK first aid provision a new range of courses will be approved by HSE from October 1st 2009.
Changes have also been made to the recommended number of first aiders required in the workplace. Employers are required to carry out a risk assessment to establish what level of cover they need. An assessment form can be downloaded from the HSE at www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/guidance.htm and click on the approved code of practice page 24 to 27.
The New Courses are:
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW). There will be a new 1 day (6 hour) course formally accredited by the HSE called Emergency First Aid at Work. It will cover basic life saving skills. It may be suitable for lower risk workplaces as well as for appointed persons wanting the confidence of having basic life saving skills.
First Aid at Work (FAW). This will be based on the current First Aid at work course - but decrease to 3 days from October 2009. This course deals with all the other first aid emergencies not covered in the shorter course including burns, eye injuries, soft tissue/bone injuries and common medical problems such as asthma and diabetes.
Other things to be aware of:
Both courses are valid for three years. However the HSE will recognise that research has shown a high level of skill decay and will strongly recommend that FAW and EFAW holders also undergo a 3 hour refresher course every year.
Appointed Persons, as under the previous regulations, will be responsible for first aid kit and managing first aid incidents. They are not required to carry out first aid training though many employers may still chose to put them on a one day first aid course to build confidence. We would highly recommend this. Appointed persons are not first aiders and should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained.
Do I need to re-train my existing 'First Aid at Work' first aiders?
Existing First Aid at Work Certificates will still be accepted by HSE, so you only need to retrain existing staff as their certificates expire (when they will move onto the new training regime). You may wish to consider annual refresher training for your existing first aiders, which falls in line with the new guidance.
So which course do I need?
Employers will be expected to risk assess their own first aid requirements and decide how many first aiders and which course they require.
For example a small office based business may feel that 1 person attending the EFAW course is sufficient given the risks in their workplace.
Larger businesses, undergoing more high risk activities may chose a range of Appointed Persons, EFAW and FAW.
Training Provider:
In house and open HSE recognised first aid training courses are offered by A1 First Aid Training. Please contact Mike Foster on 01865 378559 or visit www.a1-first-aid.co.uk.
How Many First Aiders Do I Now Need?
Whilst the regulations do not give specific personnel numbers, the guidance does give suggested numbers of first aid personnel based on the findings of a risk assessment:
Category of risk
from risk assessment
Numbers employed at any location
Suggested number of first-aid personnel
| Low Hazard
E.g. offices, shops, libraries
Less than 25
At least one appointed person
25-50
At least one first-aider trained in EFAW (see opposite)
More than 50
At least one first-aider trained in FAW for every 100 employed (or part thereof)
Higher Hazard
E.g. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacture
Less than 5
At least one appointed person
5-50
At least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW depending on the type of injuries that might occur
More than 50
At least one first aider trained in FAW for every 50 employed (or part thereof)
The details above are suggestions only from the HSE- they are not definitive nor are they a legal requirement. It is for you to assess your first-aid needs in the light of your particular circumstances.
Ladder Exchange Initiative
From now until 31st December 2009 anyone with a broken, damaged or bent ladder can part exchange it for a new one with discounts of up to 50%. To find out more about those involved visit:
ABRU
Browns Ladders and Ceilings Ltd
Clow Group
Globe Ladders Ltd
HSS Hire
Ladderstore.com
Ladder & Fencing Industries (Newent) Ltd
Lansford Access Limited
SGB Hire & Sale
Speedy Hire
TB Davies
The Ladder Association
Youngman Group
Zarges UK
Details of discounts being offered by partners can be found on their websites via Ladder Exchange Initiative 2009 - how to get involved.
GH Safety offer Monthly Managing Safely Training Courses – Highly Recommended for Your Internally Appointed Health & Safety Officer
About the Course
Accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH), the Managing Safely Course is a well recognized and respected training course and is designed to make delegates aware of their responsibilities within their workplace and equip them with the skills and knowledge to know how to undertake these responsibilities correctly, safely and competently. Next course 11/12 and 18/19 January 2010.
Contact Us
For help or assistance in meeting your health and safety requirements please contact us by phone on 07795 024434. Alternatively drop us an email and we will get back to you promptly gavin@ghsafety.co.uk
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Edited by Gavin Hopkins. This letter is prepared for information only and does not constitute specific legal advice.
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