“Without the requirement for HSE to approve training providers, it is particularly important that businesses pay close attention to the guidance on how to select a reputable and highly competent trainer”
On the 1st of October amendments will be applied to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations which will mean that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will no longer be required to approve the training and qualifications of nominated workplace first-aiders. They are, however, providing two new guidance documents to help businesses understand what the legal requirements are, and how to ascertain their first aid needs.
Andy McGrory, HSE’s policy lead for First Aid, has stated that “From October, HSE will no longer approve first-aid training and qualifications. The guidance documents clarify what the law requires and provide practical help to businesses in assessing and understanding their first aid needs.
Where a first aider is required, the guidance documents make it clear that the employer is free to select a training provider who is best suited to those needs.
We have taken onboard comments and suggestions that we have received through our public consultations on the changes and from extended stakeholder discussions and business input to ensure the guidance provides everything an employer will need to manage their first aid requirements.”
The HSE are providing Regulations and Guidance (L74) and Selecting a first-aid training provider (GEIS3) at their website. These are intended to help employers assess their needs, understand the legal requirements, and identify and select a competent training provider as required.
The HSE website states that “The guidance on selecting a training provider outlines the options available to employers and includes a checklist for evaluating first aid training organisations, covering trainer competence, quality assurance systems and syllabus content.”
Without the requirement for HSE to approve training providers, it is particularly important that businesses pay close attention to the guidance on how to select a reputable and highly competent trainer, ensuring that the safety of their staff is not compromised.
For information regarding our First Aid training courses, and Health and Safety consultancy services, contact us at info@amalgamate-safety.com or 0141 244 0181