The 1st of October 2013 saw the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) change Approved Code of Practice L74 – this was titled ‘The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 Guidance on Regulations‘ by producing a third edition.

The important part of this update is that the document removes the requirement for First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work course training providers to be accredited directly by the HSE. ( Health & Safety Executive).

There are now four training options for First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work courses

1. Independent – this is formerly described as ‘unregulated training’ because it iis not verified by the HSE or an Awarding Body, but based on HSE due diligence standards and may be of no less quality than ‘regulated’ although costs less due to less administration. Some however may not be fit for purpose.

 2. Industry Body – Also unregulated training which is not verified by HSE or an Awarding Body, however they are based on HSE due diligence standards

 3. Voluntary Aid Societies – Again unregulated training based on HSE standards

 4. Awarding Organisations provide fully regulated training based on HSE standards as well as policy and procedures governed by the awarding organisation such as Qualsafe, AoFA Qualifications, etc

Needless to say that this can be very confusing at many levels. in simple terms,  with exception of first aid training companies offering regulated qualifications, the HSE is not able to verify the quality of courses offered and this is where QCFA may help.

It largely depends on the source of the first aid certificate and whether some due diligence is required.

A boarding kennel owner may be seeking staff and quite rightly demand a fully qualified canine first aider but unsure of the status and quality of the qualification, by searching the register they can verify the award if the certificate holder is registered with QCFA.