FIRST AID AT WORK

The Rochdale Occupational Health Service is an approved First Aid Training authority and meets the criteria set out by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in the First Aid at Work Regulations 1981and our courses are regularly monitored by independent Assessors. 

ROHS are unique in that we provide a recall system to inform employers when their First Aider's certificates are due to expire.  They can then be booked for retraining with plenty of notice for the employer to arrange work shifts and cover. 

RECRUITMENT & SELECTION OF FIRST AIDERS

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced the biggest changes to the first aid at work regulations for over a quarter of a century.

From the 1st October 2009, the current initial 4-day First Aid at Work (FAW) course will be shortened to three days and there will be a new qualification of Emergency First Aider in the Workplace (EFAW) that will require a one day training course.  The FAW requalification remains unchanged at two days.

Although it is not mandatory, the HSE strongly recommend that FAW and EFAW students attend an annual three hour Basic Skills Update (BSU) course to prevent 'skills fade'.

Both the First aid at work and Emergency First Aid in the Workplace Courses will be approved by the HSE and must be taught by HSE approved first aid training providers. 
 

To decide on the numbers of first aiders required and the level of training needed, employers are required to carry out a First Aid Needs Assessment. Generally speaking, FAW trained first aiders will be required in higher risk sites or places with a large workforce; lower risk sites may only require EFAW trained staff, but this will be dependant on other factors that will be identified during the First Aid Needs Assessment. 

When assessing your specific needs, employers need to consider:

• workplace hazards and risks

• the size of the organisation

• the organisation's history of accidents

• the nature and distribution of the workforce

• the remoteness of the site from emergency medical services

• the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers

• employees working on shared or multi-occupied sites

• annual leave and other absences of first aiders and appointed persons.

When selecting someone to take up the role of First Aider, a number of factors need to be taken into account, including an individuals:-

• reliability, disposition and communication skills

• aptitude & ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills

• ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures *

• normal duties.  These should be such that they may be left to go immediately and rapidly to an emergency

(*The duties can be physically demanding (bending, kneeling, lung capacity to resuscitate) and First Aiders should be free of any condition, which would affect their capability to provide the skills of First Aid.)

(Further Information on how to carry out your First Aid Needs Assessment is available on request)