HSE make changes to First Aid regulations and reporting requirements

As of 1 October 2013, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 have been amended, removing the requirement for HSE to approve first aid training and qualifications. The changes relating to first aid apply to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors.

A spokesman for HSE said: "HSE no longer approves first-aid training and qualifications. Removing the HSE approval process will give businesses greater flexibility to choose their own training providers and first aid training that is right for their work place, based on their needs assessment and their individual business needs.

"Employers still have a legal duty to make arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work."

BWF members are reminded that the First Aid at Work Regulations require companies in the higher risk category (which for these purposes includes almost all woodworking companies) employing between 5 and 50 people, to have at least one qualified first-aider. It is also a requirement of the BWF's Code of Conduct. To be considered as a qualified first-aider, an individual must have attended the HSE approved 3 Day First Aid at Work initial course (FAW), which will earn them a certificate of competence, to be valid for 3 years

The HSE has also formally implemented changes to simplify the mandatory reporting of workplace injuries for businesses.

Changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 clarify and simplify the reporting requirements, while ensuring that the data collected gives an accurate and useful picture of workplace incidents.

The main changes are in the following areas:
– The classification of 'major injuries' to workers replaced with a shorter list of 'specified injuries'
– The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness
– Fewer types of 'dangerous occurrence' require reporting

There are no significant changes to the reporting requirements for fatal accidents, accidents to non-workers (members of the public) or accidents resulting in a worker being unable to perform their normal range of duties for more than seven days. How an incident at work is reported and the criteria that determine whether an incident should be investigated remain the same.