Greater flexibility for first-aid-at-work training

In a move designed to help businesses save time and money without compromising on health and safety, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is introducing changes to make the training regime for first aid at work (FAW) more flexible.
Changes to the first-aid guidance, which will bring the HSENI in line with the HSE in Great Britain, will see the mandatory four-day FAW training courses reduced to three days, and the introduction of the option of a one-day course for smaller low-risk businesses.
Those who complete the three-day course can maintain their certificate by attending a two-day requalification course every three years.
Dr Bryan Monson, deputy chief executive of HSENI, said: “First aid at work can help to save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. The revised guidance will help employers to get first-aid training that suits their business needs and saves them both time and money. First-aid skills learnt at work are also useful in many other areas of life.”
The new guidance also suggests that annual refresher training would be beneficial to first-aiders and their employers, with staff feeling better placed to deal with an incident in their workplace. It is available at http://www.hseni.gov.uk/first_aid_at_work_approved_code_of_practice_2011.pdf
Organisations that provide first-aid-at-work training must be approved by the HSENI and the current approval list totals around 50 companies, details of which are available on the HSENI website.
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Greater flexibility for first-aid-at-work training
In a move designed to help businesses save time and money without compromising on health and safety, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is introducing changes to make the training regime for first aid at work (FAW) more flexible.
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