First Aid Training - A clearer picture
December 1st 2004 In September 2003, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as part of its first-ever full-scale review, published the document A review and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. The document set out the findings of research commissioned by the HSE. The research, which was published in January 2003, was designed to examine how well the first-aid regulations are working, and propose possible options for reform.
According to the Discussion Document, the research found that, although the first-aid regulations are fundamentally effective, their implementation by employers could be improved. In particular, the document says that some employers are confused about the specific requirements of the regulations, and believe that guidance needs to be revised to make employers legal responsibilities clearer.
Under the first-aid regulations, all employers have a general duty to ensure that they provide adequate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure that their workers receive appropriate first-aid if they are injured or become ill at work. David Ballard, director general, British Safety Council, says: Thousands of people are injured or taken ill at work every year, so it is essential that employers make proper arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate first-aid treatment in the event of an emergency.
The amount of first-aid provision required depends on the circumstances in each workplace. Employers must carry out an assessment to identify the level of facilities and personnel that is appropriate for their workplace. However, as a legal minimum, all worksites must have at least one suitably stocked first-aid container and an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements. An appointed person is an employee chosen to look after first-aid equipment and take charge if an employee is injured or falls ill at work. Meanwhile, a first aider is someone who has undergone appropriate first-aid training and holds a valid certificate issued by an HSE-approved training provider.
Although there are no specific rules on the number of first aiders that must be provided at work, the HSE has published an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) on the regulations that includes advice on the amount of first-aid equipment and personnel that employers should provide. However, the document says that many employers are confused about various aspects of the regulations, including how to carry out first-aid risk assessments; the role of the appointed person; the appropriate numbers of first aiders for different workplaces; and what should be contained in a first-aid kit. In addition, the research revealed that 29 per cent of the employers questioned predominantly small firms employing less that five people believe that the regulations do not apply to their organisation at all. To help tackle this confusion, the document suggests that the HSEs ACoP and guidance on the regulations should be revised to make it more informative and helpful for example, by including new guidance on how to decide on the appropriate numbers of first-aid personnel at work.
Meanwhile, the document also suggests ways of changing the training that must be given to workplace first aiders. At present, all first aiders must complete an initial 24-hour first-aid training course, and attend 12 hours of refresher training every three years. Although there is no legal requirement for appointed persons to undergo any first-aid training, the HSE recommends that they receive basic training in emergency first aid. However, the document concludes that there is little public support for retaining the current first-aid training system. In particular, it says that stakeholders would like to see shorter first-aid courses, more frequent refresher training and an increase in the numbers of basic first aiders who are trained in emergency first-aid.
Therefore, the document proposes introducing an updated first-aid training system that clearly distinguishes the roles of appointed persons and first aiders. Under the proposed changes, appointed persons could still be selected for low risk premises. However, their responsibilities would be restricted to looking after first-aid equipment and calling the emergency services. In addition, the document considers whether the first-aid regulations should be amended to require employers to make first-aid provision available to members of the public who visit their premises.
Although HSE guidance recommends that employers include the public in their first-aid risk assessments and many employers voluntarily make first-aid available to them, the document concludes that extending the scope of the regulations to make this a legal duty would be unfeasible as it would place considerable cost burdens on employers.
If, in response to this document, it is felt further changes to either the first-aid regulations
or the accompanying ACoP are necessary, there will be further public consultation. More articles from British Safety Council: | 
