Latest Statement from the HSE: First aid training during coronavirus restrictions in place on 15th January 2021
First aid training in England
The policy position of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is that first aid training required to comply with health and safety or other legislation can continue to take place under relevant coronavirus restrictions in England. All possible measures must be taken to ensure that both training activities and environment are covid secure.
Under current restrictions, some premises are closed to the public or are prohibited from carrying out their normal business. These premises can be considered for use as training venues, providing the conditions outlined above are adhered to.
All businesses and individuals should adhere to current regulations and follow relevant Government guidance.
HSE’s current guidance on first aid certificate extensions covers all of GB and remains unaltered.
First aid training in Scotland
The Scottish Government has informed HSE that first aid training can be permitted under the current coronavirus restrictions, given the following considerations:
The training is a required part of the work or operation of the business commissioning the training (e.g. is necessary for compliance with health and safety or other legislation).
Other requirements for businesses and individuals under the current restrictions are met.
All controls necessary are in place to comply with relevant regulations and guidance published by the Scottish Government and any additional measures necessary to ensure the training activities and environment are covid secure are taken.
Under current restrictions, some premises are closed to the public or are prohibited from carrying out their normal business. These premises can be considered for use as training venues, providing the conditions outlined above are adhered to.
HSE’s current guidance on first aid certificate extensions covers all of GB and remains unaltered.
First aid training in Wales
The Welsh Government has informed HSE that first aid training can be permitted under the current coronavirus restrictions, given the following considerations:
The training is a required part of the work or operation of the business commissioning the training (e.g. is necessary for compliance with health and safety or other legislation).
Other requirements for businesses and individuals under the current restrictions are met.
All controls necessary are in place to comply with relevant regulations and guidance published by the Welsh Government and any additional measures necessary to ensure the training activities and environment are covid secure are taken.
Premises required to close for normal business under coronavirus restrictions may be considered for use as training venues, providing the conditions outlined above are adhered to. Authority to open premises for first aid training can be obtained from the relevant local authority or appropriate department of the Welsh Government.
HSE’s current guidance on first aid certificate extensions covers all of GB and remains unaltered.
Latest Statement from the Department for Education
The Department for Education (DfE) have published an extension to requalification of Paediatric First Aid certificates if PFA certificate requalification training is prevented for reasons associated directly with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, or by complying with related government advice. In these cases certificates have been extended to 31 March 2021.
With this in mind COVID secure training can continue, the best way to qualify a group of first aiders is with onsite training, it can be much more cost effective as well. further information is available here.