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First Aid at Work (FAW) training regime to be more ’flexible’

HSE will issue new guidance that reduces the mandatory four-day FAW training courses to three days. There will also be an option for a one-day course for smaller businesses.

All FAW qualified first aiders will still have to attend a two-day requalification course every three years. The changes have been made following feedback from businesses concerned about releasing employees for four days. It is estimated that GB businesses will save £52m in the first year of the new training regime being available.

Dr Dil Sen, HSE Principal Medical Inspector, said: “First aid can help to save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. The revised guidance will help employers to get first aid training that suits their business needs and saves them both time and money.”

The new guidance also suggests that refresher training taken annually would be beneficial to first aiders and their employers, with staff feeling better placed to deal with an incident in their workplace.

New guidance will be issued on 1 October and will be available at www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid

This article was posted on 23rd September 2009 in ALL LATEST NEWS, FIRST AID.
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