The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance to help businesses put in place appropriate arrangements following changes to first aid regulations.
Amended Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 that took effect from 1 October 2013 remove the requirement for the HSE to approve first aid training and qualifications.
The HSE’s Andy McGrory, who leads on first aid policy, said: "From October, HSE will no longer approve first aid training and qualifications. The guidance documents clarify what the law requires and provide practical help to businesses in assessing and understanding their first aid needs.
“Where a first aider is required, the guidance documents make it clear that the employer is free to select a training provider who is best suited to those needs.”
The legal requirement for employers to ensure they make adequate provision for first aid, in accordance with their first aid needs assessment, remains unchanged.
Link: HSE guidance on first aid at work and selecting a first aid training provider
