Amendments to the First aid regulations and guidance


In October 2013, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 were amended, removing the requirement for HSE to approve first aid training and qualifications. This means that businesses can now decide who does their first aid training. Employers still need to assess their first-aid needs to establish what provision for first aid is required. This will depend upon the workplace, taking into account, among other things, the number of employees, size, location and work activity. The HSE has issued guidance on employers when selecting a first aid training provider, available on its website.


The HSE also removed the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) on the regulations, and issued new guidance on what the amended Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 mean for employers, available from its website. The HSE First Aid webpages can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid.


The HSE has issued separate guidance on the areas of mining, diving and offshore activities.