Industry Updates

First aid courses are now back up and running with measures in place to ensure learning environments are Covid secure. However,  with the backlog creating a demand for courses that are often operating with reduced learner numbers, clients may be experiencing difficulty booking a course. In response to this the HSE have updated their guidance regarding re-qualification extensions as follows: FAW or EFAW certificates that expired after 16 March 2020 can remain valid until 31 October 2020 or 6 months

We have updated our Guide to Socially Distanced First Aid Training following the changes made by the HSE on the 4th July. Your guide is available to download now from the WorkSafe instructor portal- click on the ‘HSE Guidance Documents’. The aim of the guide is to assist trainers when risk assessing their training venue and to explain acceptable adaptations that can be made when assessing first aid skills. Your guide will help you consider: Your Training Room 1 metre plus

Has your workplace got an easily accessible first aid kit and have you checked it recently? It is important  to replace any used items and to check the expiry dates. The size of the first aid kit required is calculated by a combination of the level of risk and the number of employees in the workplace: Risk Level/ Number of Employees Size of British Standard First Aid Kit Low risk / less than 25 SMALL Low risk / 25-100 MEDIUM

Current guidance on delivering First Aid Training in respect of the COVID -19 virus has been issued by the UK Resuscitation Council. Key points for trainers are: Learners need to observe a high standard of handwashing during the course. Learners who are exhibiting symptoms typical of flu, a cold, a cough or have been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 infection should exclude themselves from the course. Likewise if an individual has travelled to/from areas specified by

July’s HSE news bulletin urges employers to complete their due diligence checks to confirm their first aid providers are working to the correct standards. Employers must be able to demonstrate to local authority or HSE inspectors that their first aid provision meets with the correct standards. The bulletin reminds first aid providers of their responsibility to teach to the correct learning hours for work based first aid courses. Reports have been made of trainers failing to deliver courses over the correct