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

Andy McGrory, HSE’s policy lead for First Aid, said: “The guidance documents clarify what the law requires and provides practical help to businesses in assessing and understanding their first aid needs. Where a first aider is required, the guidance documents make it clear that the employer is free to select a training provider who is best suited to those needs.

“We have taken onboard comments and suggestions that we have received through our public consultations on the changes and from extended stakeholder discussions and business input to ensure the guidance provides everything an employer will need to manage their first aid requirements.”

Advance copies of ‘The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981’, ‘Regulations and Guidance (L74)’ and ‘Selecting a first-aid training provider (GEIS3)’ are now available on the HSE website.