HSE recommends yearly refresher training for both FAW and EFAW

The new HSE qualifications which came into force in October 2009 recommended yearly refresher training for both the First Aid at Work (FAW) and the new Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course.

But what does it mean when the HSE only ‘recommends’ something? ‘Recommend’ by definition is not mandatory however, when the HSE recommends something it should not be ignored.

Take the example, a first aider who hasn’t been trained for nearly three years when something goes wrong. Let’s say, the first aider is attending to poor Fred in cardiac arrest, but instead of depressing the chest, the first aider is depressing the stomach — outcome death!

A few months later, we are in Court with the aggrieved widow seeking legal redress. The first aider under questioning admits that he had forgotten most of his training and hence was unsure what to do, but he was the first aider and under pressure by his on-looking work colleagues to do something…

The legal eagle reads out in Court references to studies and reports on skill and knowledge retention and further reads out the HSE recommendation on refresher courses.

Question to employer “why did you ignore the HSE — if you had not done so, Fred could well be alive and providing an income for his widow (crying) and their three young children”?

Out comes the cheque book.

In short, the HSE ‘recommend’ means you need to meet or exceed this requirement.

Background

The existing one day Appointed Persons first aid course will from October 2009 be effectively replaced by the HSE regulated Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course. Existing non-HSE approved training providers will have to become either HSE approved or approved by a QCA awarding body. The Association of First Aiders (AoFA) will also be providing an ‘HSE Umbrella’ facility for members unable to or not wishing to seek approval.

The outcome of these changes will result in two levels of first aider for the workplace; EFAW and the existing FAW. This will enable employers to more closely match their first aid requirements. Training has also changed with a recommendation for yearly refresher courses in addition to the existing re-qualifying ever three years. However, to offset the additional costs to industry, the FAW course is reduced from four to three days.

If you have any questions about how this will affect your organisations health and safety procedures, please contact us.