HSE Approved first-aid training

Three steps to getting appropriate training for first-aiders.

1. Find a training provider
2. Check they are approved by HSE
3. Book some training

Step 1

Search for a training provider using Google, Bing or Yahoo.

Step 2

Check they are approved by HSE

• First-aid training courses
  List of approved training organisations delivering first aid at work and emergency first aid at work courses
• Offshore first aid courses
  List of approved training organisations delivering offshore first aid courses
• Offshore medic courses
  List of approved training organisations delivering offshore medic courses
• Awarding bodies List of awarding bodies currently approved to award First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work

Step 3

Book the course, but only when the organisation is:

• on HSE’s list of approved providers;
• delivering training on behalf of an approved provider, whom you must contact to make sure they have provided permission for the training to be given (otherwise it may not be HSE-approved);
• an awarding body accredited by HSE to award a qualification in First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work.

Note

The lists above contain training organisations currently approved by HSE to deliver:

• First aid at work (FAW) and emergency first aid at work (EFAW) courses for the purposes of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
• Offshore first aid and offshore medic courses for the purposes of the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations 1989

Employers should use the lists to check a training provider’s approval status. Each entry contains an organisation’s contact details as well as the expiry date of its Certificate of Approval. The Certificate is issued by HSE and contains the organisation’s approval number. Employers may ask to see this Certificate as additional confirmation of approval.

The lists do not include all sites that a particular training organisation may have. Some providers deliver courses across wide geographical areas and therefore may have a number of sites. They can be approached directly for further details or other relevant sources of information can be consulted such as directories and the internet.

EFAW training can also be provided by organisations approved by a recognised Awarding Body of Ofqual/ Scottish Qualifications Authority eligible to award an accredited qualification in EFAW applying a training standard set by HSE. Details of these Awarding Bodies can be obtained following the link above. If you are based in Scotland you can also gain information from the SQA website. Further details are also available on the The Register of Regulated Qualifications for England and Wales.

Reclaiming health and safety for all

An independent review of health and safety legislation by Professor Ragnar E Löfstedt recommended changes to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and revised guidance on the regulations to help businesses.

The review also recommended a review of the First Aid Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and the removal of specific requirements placed on the self-employed.

Changes will soon be made to first aid regulations and guidance.

To support implementation of the changes, information is currently being gathered from businesses and individuals involved in procuring and providing first aid training.

Please complete this short survey to provide details of your knowledge and/or experience.