Risk, Health and Safety Information

Update on HSE Approval of First aid Training

Employers need to be aware that from the 1 January 2013 Awarding Organisations regulated by Ofqual, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Welsh Government Department for Education and Skills (DfES Wales) will be permitted to award a qualification in First Aid at Work (FAW) which will be accepted by HSE for the purposes of compliance with regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

Awarding Organisations, through their approved training centres will implement the educational assessment standard developed by HSE in consultation with Skills for Health (the relevant sector skills council), Ofqual and the SQA. This standard is hosted by Skills for Health and is free to download from their website.

Employers should note that qualifications obtained from Awarding Organisations will help compliance with the Regulations, are accredited, nationally recognised and are rated on the Qualification and Credit Framework and the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework.