Draft guidance unveiled on workplace first aid changes

HSE publishes draft guidance documents to help employers understand proposed amendments

THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new draft guidance to help employers get to grips with proposed changes to workplace first aid.

Two pieces of guidance have been published on the HSE website following a consultation on proposals to amend the First Aid Regulations (1981) and remove the requirement for HSE to approve first aid training providers.

The guidance documents are available at www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/proposed-changes-first-aid-regulations.htm

The changes are expected to take effect on 1 October 2013, subject to final approval by the HSE Board and Ministers.

HSE policy advisor Peter Brown said: ‘Removing the HSE approval process will give businesses greater flexibility to choose their own training providers and first aid training that is right for their workplace, based on their needs assessment and their individual business needs.

‘The draft guidance documents aim to provide practical support to help businesses assess and understand their first aid needs and find a provider best suited to them.

‘HSE has used the feedback from the recent consultation exercise to shape the guidance, but would welcome any further feedback on the guidance before the regulations come into place.’

Until the regulations are changed businesses requiring first aid training will still have to use a HSE approved provider.

Employers will still have to ensure that they have adequate first aid provision, based on an assessment of their individual business needs.

The HSE will retain a role in setting standards by controlling the syllabus content for the basic first aid at work qualifications.