As of the 1st October 2009, the Health and Safety Executive introduced new guidance on First Aid in the Workplace. This was not a change in the law about First Aid - Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations - but a change in the way the law is implemented, with particular emphasis on training needs and how companies assess those needs.

Why is New Guidance Needed?

Much has happened in UK workplaces since the First Aid Regulations came into force in 1982. Over the intervening years, there has been a major shift from heavy industry to office based organisations, where the risks tend to be much lower. There have also been improvements in first aid techniques that allow for more efficient training methods.

In addition, there is increased recognition of "skills fade" whereby trained First Aiders become less efficient over time unless they have opportunity to practice their skills or at least rehearse them on a regular basis.

These are just some of the factors that the HSE have taken into account in formulating their new guidance.

Existing Qualifications Still Valid

It is worth stating up front that whilst the new guidance includes changes to training requirements, it does not mean that people who are already qualified in accordance with previous guidance need to be retrained right away.

This has to be stated because there are stories circulating that training and qualifications prior to the new guidance (October 2009) are worthless. This is untrue for anyone whose training complies with the earlier guidance. Retraining is not essential until existing certificates have run their 3-year course.

There are also suggestions that the role of Appointed Person is no longer valid, which is also untrue. However, in future it would be pointless sending someone on an unregulated appointed person's course, when they could just as easily attend a HSE approved Emergency First Aid at Work course and thereby be recognised as a First Aider. Both are one-day courses.

Revised First Aid Requirements.

First Aid at Work covers the arrangements that employers must put in place to ensure immediate attention is available for anyone who is injured or taken ill at work.

Arrangements must be 'adequate and appropriate', but this varies according to many factors, not least the general levels of risk in the workplace. Employers are required, therefore, to conduct a risk assessment to determine what is adequate and appropriate for them.

As a minimum, there must be an appropriately stocked and maintained first aid box and someone who is designated to be in charge of the first aid arrangements, including calling for medical help when it is needed. All employees must be informed about these arrangements.

Two Levels of Training

In all but the most exceptional circumstances, it is advisable to have one or more trained and qualified First Aiders available on site. There are two levels of HSE approved training available and you need to decide which is most appropriate according to the assessed risks in your workplace:




In both cases, qualifications are valid for three years. To maintain their qualification after three years, those who have attended the three day course, must take a two day requalification course within 28 days of their previous qualification lapsing.

The HSE strongly recommend annual refresher training of about three hours duration. Whilst refresher training is not mandatory, organisations who have not scheduled it in may be called upon to justify their failure to do so should an emergency go wrong.

There are no hard and fast rules as to the numbers of qualified First Aiders who should be available on any particular site. Even the precise contents of a first aid box are not fixed. The HSE offers some broad guidelines on its website but ultimately, these are questions that must be determined by assessing the risks in your workplace.

Review Your First Aid Policy

If you have a separate First Aid Policy, it may be worth reviewing it in light of the new guidance. In the past, only people who had attended a four day training course were designated as First Aiders. Appointed persons, who may have attended one day of training were not certificated to administer first aid.

Under the new guidance, there are two levels of HSE approved first aid training and people attending either course are recognised as First Aiders. It may, therefore, be appropriate to include in your First Aid Policy that First Aiders should only attempt to administer treatment within the limits of the competence.

EDP's Training Courses

When the time comes that you need to train your First Aiders, EDP offers the full range of First Aid courses that are approved by the HSE: