First aid is one of those skills that you may never need, but if you know it it’s an invaluable skill. Why not get yourself trained up today?
The need for up to date qualified first aiders in the workplace is paramount. The dangers that we come across in the workplace can cause significant injuries. No matter how careful people are, the odd unavoidable accident is always bound to happen. Many businesses have old first aid boxes, without all the necessary equipment, and most businesses don’t have a first aider or the first aider that they do have hasn’t been on an up to date course.
To add to the concern the government may well be pursuing the idea that will significantly reduce the quality of first aiders in general and not just in the workplace. It will also cause upset to training providers who work hard to provide the best quality training and most up to date techniques during their courses. The reason is down to a recommendation from the Loftstedt review and now first aid training providers may not have to be accredited by the HSE – Health & Safety Executive – meaning there will be no general control over the quality of first aid trainers; and an un-trained trainer will result in untrained first aiders.
The First Aid Training providers have had to jump through hoops to achieve accreditation and this is something that they have had to do since 1981. Now there are fears that new companies will be set up without fully trained first aiders, which could potentially put their employees in danger.
There are important factors that need to be covered as part of workplace first aid training. For example, a pub, restaurant or café will require somebody with training on burns first aid because they are regularly dealing with pots and pans and other cooking instruments; these implements have a daily potential to cause a burn injury. No matter what the business, cuts, burns and bangs to the head need immediate first aid treatment as they could require full medical attention.
The thought that the government is considering making first aid training into an open market is a scary thought. It means that anyone who fancies it can become a first aid trainer without, full training. To think somebody who hasn’t had professional training in first aid themselves could soon be the person training that your company’s trusting as its first aider. These untrained ‘professionals’ could cause minor injuries to become serious, resulting in potential law suits against the company. We have to believe that employers will have their own concerns and want to maintain their own standards and continue to work with professional first aid trainers.
Alex Popper shares his knowledge on burns first aid writing on behalf of www.firstaid.co.uk/Burns-First-Aid-CBURNSFIRSTAID/