Frequently asked questions on the changes to first aid training and approval arrangements

Introduction

This note is aimed at employer duty holders and first aid training organisations. It considers some common enquiries received by HSE on future changes to the first aid training regime for first-aiders in the workplace.

In the text, FAW refers to 'first aid at work' and EFAW to 'emergency first aid at work'.

First aid provision by employers

What is changing?
The guidance on first aid in the workplace is changing, but there will be no changes to the underlying legislation which governs employers’ legal responsibilities. The new guidance is aimed at giving employers more flexibility in determining their first aid needs. The new guidance will see the mandatory four-day FAW training courses reduced to three days and there will also be an option for a one-day course in EFAW for smaller businesses. All FAW qualified first-aiders will still have to attend a two-day requalification course every three years. HSE will strongly recommend annual refresher training for qualified first-aiders. Although not mandatory, it will help them maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes to first aid procedures. If guidance is followed employers should be best placed to meet their legal responsibilities.
What are the penalties for not meeting FAW regulations?
The new guidance will not change the enforcement powers of the Health and Safety Executive or local authorities. Breaches of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 are dealt with proportionately. Enforcement action could include issuing notices or prosecuting if the circumstances warrant it.
When will the changes be fully implemented?
The new training courses will be introduced from 1 October 2009. More details on implementation and the guidance that will be published to support it .
If I need first-aiders in my workplace before 1 October 2009, what training will they need?
The current requirements will remain in place until 1 October 2009. Any prospective first-aiders will need to successfully complete a four day FAW course delivered by an HSE approved training organisation.
If a first-aider obtains an FAW certificate just before implementation of the new training regime, will they need to be retrained as soon as the new courses are introduced?
No. They will only enter the new training regime when their three year FAW certificate expires.
Will annual refresher training be a mandatory requirement?
No. It will be strongly recommended to employers to help qualified first aiders maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes in first aid procedures.

Training

Will the quality of training be maintained?
HSE is confident that the shorter, more streamlined courses will meet the needs of businesses and the standards of health and safety training that the law demands for workplaces.
Compared with the four-day course, the three-day version will be simplified with less theory and more emphasis on practical aspects. A few elements in the syllabus of the four-day course will not be included in the three-day course.
Any training organisation delivering FAW courses must be approved by HSE and must follow a training standard set by HSE. As part of this process, HSE will ensure that training organisations are monitored to check compliance with the training standard. These checks will include observation of training delivery.
Where can I find syllabuses for the new three day FAW and one day EFAW courses?
The syllabuses can be found in draft guidance for employers and first aid training providers that was previously subject to consultation (Update on draft guidance). No further changes to the syllabuses are anticipated before the final versions of the guidance are published.
Can I run the new FAW and EFAW courses before 1 October 2009?
You can run the courses to pilot them in preparation for full implementation. However, they will not count for regulatory purposes. Only FAW and EFAW training courses run on or after 1 October 2009 will be approved for regulatory purposes. Prior to this date, if an employer wishes to train individuals as first-aiders, they should be sent on a four day FAW course.
As EFAW is covered within FAW training, can the two courses be conducted together?
No. They should be treated as separate courses.
Can I run the new FAW course over 4 days?
Yes. The training should be conducted over a minimum of 3 days and maximum of 10 weeks.
Will the EFAW course take over from appointed person training?
For regulatory purposes, successfully completing an EFAW course will enable the student to act as a first-aider in the workplace. The role of the appointed person will remain and there will continue to be no regulatory requirement for such personnel to undertake first aid training. However, employers will still be able to send appointed persons on basic first aid training and organisations would not need HSE approval to offer such training. Some employers may choose instead to send individuals on EFAW courses, in which case they would become first-aiders in regulatory terms.

Approval

I am already approved by HSE, do I need any additional approval to run the new courses?
Training organisations already approved by HSE will get automatic approval to run the new FAW and EFAW courses.
I run FAW courses as a third party for an HSE approved training organisation. Can I run the EFAW courses as a third party?
Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) visits to the HSE approved provider will continue to focus on delivery of FAW training. Therefore, you will need to continue running FAW courses to ensure timely PAM visits are conducted when required. The number of such visits will depend on the number of training sites, including third parties, used by the approved provider. As long as you are running FAW courses you can also deliver EFAW courses, although the approval holder must issue certificates and is ultimately responsible for the quality of your FAW and EFAW training. However, if you want to run EFAW courses only and not FAW, you need to seek approval from an Awarding Body (see Q3 below).
What approval do I need to run EFAW courses if I do not wish to run the FAW course?
First aid training providers that only wish to run EFAW courses should apply for approval to a recognised Awarding Body of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority/ Scottish Qualifications Authority eligible to award an accredited qualification in EFAW. The National Database of Accredited Qualifications can be consulted for relevant Awarding Bodies.

For EFAW to be approved by HSE for regulatory purposes, Awarding Bodies must apply a training standard produced by HSE which will be based on guidance for HSE approved training providers.