Views sought on draft first aid guidance

Date:

25 March 2013

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a consultation on the content of revised guidance to help businesses put in place appropriate arrangements for the provision of first aid.

The six-week consultation begins today (25 March) and HSE is keen to hear the views of businesses and workers on new draft guidance material that will help them assess their needs when selecting an appropriate first aid training provider. The consultation document is available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd251.htm

The current Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) text on first aid may also be removed and incorporated into the new guidance to provide simple, comprehensive information for all.

The changes are part of HSE's work to make it easier for businesses and other users to understand what they need to do to comply with health and safety law, while maintaining standards. They will be of interest to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors.

HSE consulted late last year on proposals to amend the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, to remove the requirement for HSE approval of first aid training and qualifications. This was in response to recommendations made by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt in his independent review of health and safety legislation.

The HSE Board approved the proposed changes to the regulations. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the intention is for the amended regulations to be in place from 1 October 2013.

Andy McGrory, HSE's First Aid consultation manager, said:

"We are consulting on the content of two pieces of guidance for business, to ensure that they are easy to understand and provide comprehensive advice and support.

"The draft guidance documents aim to clarify what the law requires and provide practical help to businesses in assessing and understanding their first aid needs and select a training provider best suited to those needs.

"The changes will be relevant to all businesses. Their views - and those of workers - are important to us so we are particularly keen to hear their opinions."

Notes to editors

1. In the Löfstedt report, it was recommended that: "The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 should be amended to remove the requirement for HSE to approve the training and qualifications of appointed first-aid personnel." The report noted that "this requirement seems to have little justification provided the training meets a certain standard", noting further that the HSE approval process went beyond the minimum requirement laid out in EU legislation. The full report is available on the Department for Work and Pensions website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lofstedt-report.pdf
2. The Government response to Löfstedt is also available on the Department for Work and Pensions website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lofstedt-report-response.pdf
3. Until 1 October 2013 first aid training for the purposes of work can only be delivered by HSE approved training providers and training centres for Ofqual etc, (Ofqual, SQA or DfES Wales) accredited awarding organisations approved by HSE. A list of HSE approved providers can be found on the HSE website: http://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/connect.ti/firstaid/view?objectId=4772 A list of Ofqual accredited awarding organisations is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/efaw.htm
4. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office