Posted By Neil Pearson News to me. I know they're reviewing the Firs Aid at Work regs but I can't see why this would include anything about pay. There's no consultative doc out about it.

Posted By Stuart Nagle As stated above there is to be a review of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, which is due now. Watch the HSE web site for developments. As far as pay for first aiders is concerned, I doubt if this is likely to be considered within a review of the regulations, as this is purely an agreement between employer and employees. It is worth noting however, that in manufacturing industries, many employers pay an 'allowance' to employees are first aider qualified - often as a result of the employer paying for them to attend the course and covering their absence from the workplace. If I was to be cynical I could quote the Management Regs in respect of competent persons assisting the employer in their undertaking, and state that if the employer paid for your training, and you agreed to go on the training, your employer has a right to expect your assistance in helping him comply with the first aid regs by being a first aider, thereby assisting him in his undertaking - without having to pay you as well!!

Posted By John Murgatroyd The course for the (2) first aiders at work cost £180.00 for 3 days, plus wage(s) at £65.00 per day. We have 3 first aid men..the other paid for his own course and is a fully qualified St Johns member (working to ambulance technician). None of them is paid any extra for their first aid work. None of them are allowed to treat injuries. Insurance ! ANY injuries get a loose dressing and sent to hospital.

Posted By Paul Adams I had a previous position where I received an incentive as a first aider. In my current location, I don't, and I don't think you should. First aiders are special people, they do it because they want to and sometimes it is not very nice. From one extreme where one of our staff wanted to be a first aider as long as she didn't have to deal with anything particularly unpleasant, to a person who still suffers mentally having attempted to resuscitate a child at a road accident several years ago, but still trains and is still a first aider. Apart from the strain on smaller employers, an incentive will, if not pitched correctly, attract innapropriate first aiders. FACT: People who genuinly help people do so because they want to help people, not because of financial reward. And so it should be.

Posted By Lee Ainsworth I work for a steel company, which does not have a nurse on site, but we do now have access to a 24 hr medical centre within 5 minutes drive. Before we had the medical centre first aiders were paid a sum of £250 a year for their service, this has now been dropped to £50. Rats and sinking ship come to mind when it was announced. If any body is thinking of paying first aiders, which isn't a bad thing, be sure you can afford it and maintain that payment which is set.