You may have received a copy of a letter from Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP Minister for Employment addressed to Ian Kershaw. This contains an interesting, but concerning paragraph as follows:



"Whilst HSE recognises the benefits of refresher training and re-qualification, there is nothing in the First Aid Regulations which legally requires first-aiders to refresh their training on an annual basis, nor is there a legal requirement for them to re-qualify every three years. Competence can be demonstrated in many ways and need not be exclusively classroom- based. "



This section has caused considerable concern to our members, as we have been informed over a number of years by the HSE First Aid Approvals & Monitoring Sections (FAAMS) that where an employer has identified the need for a first aider, training as defined by the HSE is required. This requirement (basically) is as follows:

 

1. Initial course (FAW or EFAW as required) - validity 3 years - mandatory requirement.

2. Requalification ever 3 years – mandatory requirement.

3. Yearly Refresher Course, not mandatory although HSE ‘ Highly recommended’. 

The letter quoted clearly contradicts this understanding.

 

I have written to the HSE Policy unit for clarification.



However, I don't think that this will matter in the long run as the Lofstead report is highly likely to replace this.



For information, I have a meetings with the HSE, Ofqual and the Federation of Awarding Bodies later this month to discuss the Lofstead report. If you have any comments, please let me know.