At the moment the general practicalities of being able to ensure your staff are trained to the appropriate standard is a cause for concern for all businesses.
Businesses still need first aiders and must ensure there are enough first aiders on site at all times, as well as ensuring they remain competent at all times.
We are going to keep our face to face training for our clients going for as long as is possible, following the advice of our Awarding Body and the UK Resuscitation Council. We will also be putting on more online face to face training in all subjects from next week, including first aid, food safety, manual handling and moving of people safely, in particular. So keep an eye on our website and FaceBook page for more information.
Below is a statement from the Health & Safety Executive with regards to extending the validity of some first aid qualifications if affected by the COVID-19 virus.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware that people holding Offshore Medic (OM), Offshore First Aid (OFA), First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificates nearing expiry date, might experience disruption to access to requalification training as a result of events or circumstances generated by the coronavirus pandemic.
HSE’s current guidance on the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l74.pdf and the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations 1989 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l123.pdf is that those holding an OM, OFA, FAW or EFAW qualification should undertake retraining before their original certificate expires and HSE strongly recommends that employers, and individuals holding those qualifications should plan for requalification training well in advance of expiry dates.
If however requalification training is prevented for reasons associated directly with coronavirus or by complying with related government advice, it is reasonable and practical to extend the validity of current certificates by up to 3 months. Anyone taking advantage of this extension should be able to describe clearly their reasons for delaying requalification training, and demonstrate steps they have taken to undertake the training, if required.
This guidance comes into effect for certificates expiring on or after 16th March 2020. HSE will review this matter over the coming months and will issue further statements as necessary.
The Department for Education supports the HSE statement regarding the extension of first aid certificates during coronavirus emergency and that it can be applied to paediatric first aid certificates held by staff in early years provision.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 01502 560779
