Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Updates
Updates to HSE First Aid at Work training – October 2010
Adult basic life support
The following changes in the basic life support (BLS) guidelines have been made to reflect the importance placed on chest compression, particularly good quality compressions, and to attempt to reduce the number and duration of pauses during chest compression: • When obtaining help, ask for an automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available. • Compress the chest to a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100-120 min. • Do not stop to check the victim or discontinue CPR unless the victim starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening his eyes, speaking, or moving purposefully AND starts to breathe normally. • Teach CPR to laypeople with an emphasis on chest compression, but include ventilation as the standard, particularly for those with a duty of care.
Changes to the training for first aid at work October 2009:
October 2009 saw 3 main changes.
1. First Aid at Work
This course will take place over 3 days instead of 4. The reduction in the time it takes to train is thanks to advances in teaching methods and technology and the revision of resuscitation protocols in 2006.
2. Emergency First Aider at Work
This is a completely new course that has been launched by the HSE. The course will last 1 day and will entitle the attendee to gain an HSE accredited certificate in first aid.
3. Risk assessment
The table of risk assessment guidelines issued by the HSE to advise companies on the number and category of first aider their business needs have been revised in line with the new courses.
HSE Recommendation’s
Annual Updates:
The HSE are strongly recommending that people who complete either the First Aid at Work or the Emergency First Aider at Work course attend an annual update to refresh their skills. The annual updates will last ½ a day.
Refresher course:
The First Aid at Work certificate will still expire after three years and you will need to attend a Refresher course to maintain this qualification. The Refresher course will last 2 days. The certificate for Emergency First Aider at Work will also expire after 3 years and you will need to complete the training again to remain qualified.
Legal:
Companies are still legally obligated to provide appropriate equipment and personnel to enable the administration of first aid – in other words, you must still have someone in the building at all times who is responsible for first aid arrangements. Until October, companies should still refer to the current HSE guidelines for how many first aiders they need.