The Changes from 1st of October - Some questions answered
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'.
These 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 Re-Qualification remains unchanged at Two Days. You may undertake training with us to re-qualify, even if another training provider undertook your initial course.
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.
Does the shorter course mean there is going to be less content trained on the 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 Day’s, 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 the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Training Agency’s highly skilled trainers will ensure your first aiders continue to be trained to the highest standards demanded by the HSE.
Can I wait for the new course?
No, you will need to maintain trained first aiders in your workplace between now and October 2009. The HSE published their guidance for first aid training providers on 1 April, 2009 and the content of course after 1 October is very similar to the First aid at work course we already teach. The current qualification will still be valid for three years.
When do I have to do a new re-qualification 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.
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You will not need to take the Annual refresher in the same year that you attend a re-qualification course to renew your certificate.
What course will I need to do; will I need more first aiders?
Employers are required to carry out a workplace first aid 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 workplace first aid 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 witha 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 someone trained up to the Emergency First Aid in the Workplace (EFAW) Course, but this will depend on other factors that your risk assessment will identify.
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Training Agency has for many years trained to a high standard on the Appointed Persons Course. The course content of the New HSE EFAW course is the same as the content taught on our old Appointed Person Course. Therefore, this course would be ideal for those persons who have previously undergone an appointed persons course.