Red Cross warns against first aid complacency
The British Red Cross has warned that employers will have more responsibility to ensure the quality of their first-aid training provider, from the beginning of October.
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 will be amended on 1 October to remove the requirement for the HSE to approve first aid training and qualifications, putting more burden on the employer.
Employers will still be required by law to provide adequate and appropriate equipment and personnel to provide assistance to injured or ill colleagues, and provide trained first aiders based on their own needs assessment.
Head of first aid for British Red Cross, Joe Mulligan, said: "We support the freedom of choice for employers, but some may not consider themselves experts in ensuring that the standard of first aid training is sufficient.
"The health and safety landscape is changing but this does not remove risk or accountability for workplace accidents. We would caution against anyone viewing changes to the training market as implying that first aid somehow becomes less important or less serious.
"First aid skills can help to save lives and prevent minor accidents and illnesses becoming more serious."
Guidance documents have been issued by the HSE to clarify legal requirements and provide practical help to businesses in assessing and understanding their first aid needs.
Employers are free to select a training provider that best suits their needs but they must also ensure the first aid practices being taught are correct and up-to-date.