The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require that in order to provide first aid to their employees who are injured or become ill at work, employers must have adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel. Regulation 3(2) states that:

For this purpose a person shall not be suitable unless he has undergone such training and has such qualifications as the HSE may approve.

If it has been identified that first aiders are needed in your workplace they must gain a certificate of competence from a training organisation that has been approved by HSE. Courses last for at least 24 hours of training, usually held over four days or spread over several weeks. First aid at work certificates are valid for three years. Requalification courses are of at least 12 hours training and are normally held over two days.

First aid at work certificates are only valid if they have been issued by an HSE approved organisation in mainland Britain. If a certificate has been issued by or in another country then that certificate will not be valid in mainland Britain.

HSE does not run training courses but does approve training organisations whose courses have reached the standards required. This is done by HSE's First Aid at Work Approval and Monitoring Section (FAAMS). The role of FAAMS is to control and monitor first aid at work training through HSE's appointed contractor, the Training and Approval Services Consortium (TASC). TASC conducts monitoring visits on HSE's behalf to new and established training organisations wishing to run first aid at work training courses as required under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

Currently there are approximately 1600 training providers approved across England, Scotland and Wales. Each organisation has recently been monitored by TASC and all are working to the same standard as required by HSE.

The training objectives for offshore first aiders are based on competencies, including the treatment of hypothermia, use of entonox and defibrillation. Provision has been made for offshore medics and first aiders to renew their certificates up to 3 months before the certificate expires. The need for trainers and examiners of offshore medics and first aiders to have offshore experience has been amended and they can now gain knowledge of offshore working conditions by other means. The Health care and first aid on offshore installations and pipeline works. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L123, provides guidance on the roles and responsibilities of offshore medics and first aiders and the types of secondary roles that are suitable.

United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association (UKOOA) (www.ukooa.co.uk)
Provide guidelines for first aid and medical equipment on offshore installations.