The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is changing the way First Aid courses are delivered in the UK from 1st October 2009.

Do you know what is happening?

• The approved First Aid at Work course will now be delivered over three days rather than four days.
• The new one day approved Emergency First Aid at Work course is being introduced.
• An annual Refresher (Skills Update) course is being introduced.

Contrary to what other providers are saying, the First Aid for Appointed Persons course still remains, but will continue to sit outside of the HSE approved suite of training and remains unregulated. New guidance for this course has been issued and includes seizures.

In line with other Health & Safety guidance and legislation, employers will be expected to undertake a First Aid Needs Assessment to determine whether an area of employment requires a full First Aid at Work course (three day) or Emergency First Aid at Work course (one Day) and how many Appointed Persons are required.

Requalification

Requalification will still be required every three years, and although not compulsory as some training organisations are stating, the HSE "strongly recommend" attendance at an annual skills update course.

Those booking on requalification courses are required to verify that they are eligible to sit a requalification course by providing their original certificate, a copy of which needs to be retained by the training provider. Candidates can take the requalification course three months prior to the certificate expiry date, and up to 28 days after the expiry date (but during this period they must not carry out the duties of a First Aider).

The Assessment on First Aid at Work, Requalification and the Emergency First Aid at Work course has been modified. There will no longer be the requirement to undertake a theory test; this has been replaced by oral questioning during the practical assessment.

For more information on the First Aid Needs Assessment, to enquire about, or book First Aid, Fire Safety or Health & Safety Courses contact Sirius Business Services on 01305 769969.

Our next courses:

First Aid at Work - 20-22 October - £185 + VAT
First Aid at Work (Requal) - 18-19 November - £130 + VAT
First Aid for Appointed Persons - 12 October - £70 + VAT
Manual Handling 8 October - £60 + VAT
Fire Marshall - 18 November - £55 + VAT
Fire Extinguisher - 28 October - £30 + VAT