0330 660 0899†
info@qualsafeawards.orgHSE First Aid Guidance Update
The HSE has announced important information about the upcoming changes to first aid training.
New Implementation Date
The proposed implementation date for the new guidance has now been revised to 1st October 2013. Current HSE approvals will end the night before, when either legislative change will take effect or the HSE will put further arrangements in place.
Draft Guidance Published
The new draft guidance places responsibility on employers to do various levels of ‘due diligence’ to ensure that the quality of training meets the legislative requirements as follows:
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Quality Assurance Route: |
Level of due diligence required by the employer: |
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1 |
Regulated First Aid Qualification accredited by an Ofqual/SQA recognised Awarding Organisation (such as Qualsafe Awards) |
No due diligence required. |
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2 |
Training from the Voluntary Aid Societies |
The draft guidance says that employers may still “wish to undertake some of the elements of due diligence”. |
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3 |
First Aid Association/body affiliation |
Full due diligence should be carried out by the employer as “HSE is not in a position to verify the level of assurance” of this route. |
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4 |
Private / independent training provider with no accreditation/affiliation |
Full due diligence should be carried out by the employer as “HSE is not in a position to verify the level of assurance” of this route. |
Employers Likely to Choose Regulated Qualifications
As you can see from the guidance, choosing regulated qualifications is the only Quality Assurance route that requires no due diligence from employers and therefore the majority are likely to select this route.
Why Act NOW?
Here are the benefits of moving to Awarding Organisation accreditation NOW:
• Demonstrate to clients that you are already providing the new ‘platinum standard’ in first aid training.
• Reassure clients that you are well ahead of the changes and they won’t have to do any due diligence – you have it all in hand! Congratulations to them for choosing such a good training provider!
• Avoid trying to introduce changes at the last minute
• Save money compared to the current FAW system
Register today by calling 0330 660 0899 or email info@qualsafeawards.org
Below are links to the new guidance:
“L74” : http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis3.pdf
“Selecting a training provider” : http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis3.pdf