Posted By John Young
We are currently reviewing the amount we pay our first aiders, standing at £150 per annum, and we are seeking to increase this to what is probably an average industrial rate. I would be grateful if members would advise the amount they are paying theirs.

Contact either through this Chat Forum or contact me on 01202 703217 or email: john.young@fra.co.uk

Many thanks in anticipation

John Young

Posted By Richard Weir-Ewing
John

The company I came from (large Ins Co) paid/pays £25 a month (taxable). Its a reward for taking on the role and the thinking was not "don't pay em" because they wanted to it.
I looked into this some few years ago now and we all ask each other at the training sessions and 5 years ago most were getting £15 - £30 then.
When you think its quite a responsibility and at times difficult to get anyone. I think £25 is not unreasonable and does not appear "tight"

Rich

Posted By srd
To clarify my previous posting, the £40 is paid annually.

We don't pay our Fire Marshalls anything, is this the norm I wonder?

Stephen.

Posted By James Andrew Scott
My company pays first aiders £50 per quarter and they all do duty on the
first aid rota. We also pay safety reps the same amount, provided they
attend all meetings and complete all safety related projects and tasks
that I give to them.

James

Posted By Richard Weir-Ewing
I think all should get paid. After all they are doing a job.

further to my last posting we pay Fire reps £16 per month and H&S reps £25 per month and if you did all three you got it all.

Most companies struggle to get people and if this help so what! The first aider is called as when needed and the norm is the nearest one, although any one will attend.

Its just good policy and good management that they are paid and gives worth to the employee.

Rich

Posted By J Knight
My former employer (one of the UKs 10 biggest charities) pays 20p an hour for anybody doing any extra duties. This encompasses H&S Leads, Fire Marshalls, Risk Assessors and First Aiders, as well as other roles which have nothing to do with H&S. 20p an hour amounts to £7.00 or £8 a week, depending on contracted hourse, or about £350 - £400 p.a. Of course, part timers get less in total. The payment is for every hour worked, and not just for those doing the additional duty. We make no additional payments, but I am considering it,

John

Posted By JOHN LEES
Frank

you start your agreement diagreeing with payment, but end it with saying "adjust the hourly rate". So are you for it or against it?

surley though, it's better to have a first aider that is interested in doing the job, than someone that only does it for the money. After all, when their talents are needed will we/you be let down because they only wanted the money.

we've got to have some confidence in these people and feel sure that they will be up to the job when time comes. After all, it could be your life that they are trying to save.

Posted By John Young
Hey guys - all I wanted was to establish what industry was currently paying it's 'volunteer' First Aiders and I appreciate all those who have responded.

Frank - for the purpose of my 'thread' the regulations are of little importance. Thanks anyway.

JY

Posted By Clairey O
i have been a workplace first aider for what seems like forever, a fire marshall, and emergecy responder. I have yet to receive a monetary reward. A thank you after helping someone is enough for me.

Posted By John Lewis
Hi folks
Before I left my last employer I was seriously looking at reducing the number of First Aiders, but training them to a far higher standard of competence with regular updates and specialist stuff like Hydrofluoric Acid burns. In discussion this seemed quite acceptable to most, as the ones in it for the money suddenly lost interest when extra training was mentioned. The rate was if memory serves £50.00 pa. This would have gone up substantially for the 20 or so who became the main team.

As a side issue the plan was also to offer Saturday morning "Lifesaver" courses with Red Cross, St Johns etc. This idea was also well received by people who had never had an interest in First Aid before; especially those with young children.
Best Regards
John

Posted By Mark Glynn Thomas
We pay our First Aiders £400 per annum in the form of a bonus and our Fire Marshalls get £200 per annum

Posted By Frank Hallett
Good evening John [the original one who posted the question that is].

I realise that you didn't intend to worry about the actual legislative requirement in your question; however, it's regretable that what has been consistantly overlooked in the responses is that the sensible & effective provision of a suitable range of First Aid response is really what it should be about, not whether or how much you pay the first aiders.

Frank Hallett

Posted By Bob Baynes
I am a Fire Marshall and when I originally volunteered it was an unpaid extra duty. When payment was introduced (no-one asked, it was freely given) I viewed it simply as a small and practical thank-you and appreciated the thought. At £10 per month I can't see anyone being so hard up they would volunteer for the money, in fact, we have trouble maintaining adequate numbers. Our First-aiders are treated in a similar way, again trouble recruiting sufficient numbers. I really don't think money is the reason anyone offers to take on these duties

Posted By Richard Weir-Ewing
I agree with Bob. it getting them that is a problem, you can't "force em" and its not avbout ACOP's or legal obligations we all know them.

For god's sake payment is just a thank you and don't be mean. If there was no pay then I would not do it, its a job, and that needs paying.

Rich

Posted By Sean Fraser
We pay our First Aiders zilch, the Fire Marshals the same. We do however pay our Safety Reps (non-union) around £200 pa., which I personally object to. Reason? WHAT extra work do they do (certainly in our organisation - I cannot speak for others)?

Our FAs are hardly used, so apart from occasional refresher training, most of them have contributed nothing of value, they are simply there "in case". The Fire Marshals are used on a routine basis every 6 months, to take a roll call at the fire drill. Not exactly taxing. And our Safety Reps? They complained they had too much to do and it was distracting them from their work. What did they need to do? Complete a report (which could simply be "everything is A-OK") and attend the Safety Committee meeting once a month for 1 hour (strictly time managed). Most struggled to write a report - two could never attend a meeting as they are geographically remote from the HQ (and they were among the ones who also failed to supply reports). So what exactly ARE they being given extra pay for? Apart from one notable individual, they never assist in investigations, never ask for information and seldom have anything of note to add beyond what is already picked up at inspection and audit.

As you can see, I am averse to providing extra payment for roles that are not routinely utilised. As a trained First Aider and medic myself, I do it for the added skills it provides and hence the added value to my CV. After all, there has to be something in it for me. And knowing that I can assist in an emergency is gratifying in itself.

Take a look at what your people are expected to do, and then consider if it is worth a monetary "reward". I liked the idea of vouchers - non contentious. And there is noting wrong in giving such reward. But as was mentioned, even then there can still be a difficulty in recruiting people to the roles, so it can't be just for the money. We volunteer for various reasons, not all of them necessarily altruistic. But remember that if you are having difficulty in filling the number of roles you have, offering money may not be the answer.

Posted By Richard Weir-Ewing
Agree with John!

Sean what do you do? Looks to me like your guys are there just to fulfill minimum legal obligations and thats all.

I think you should start to manage otherwise your doing nothing as well. What are you paid for? There are loads for them to cover, your training and theirs (if they have any) should tell you that.

Rich

Posted By Barry Cooper
Just a point about First Aiders and Fire Wardens
Fire Wardens can leave a fire and evacuate people, First Aiders cannot just up and leave an injured person.
We pay First Aiders, as they are required to perform a more personal service to the workforce, Fire Warden tend to ensure people evacuate the premises. Some may say it is unfair, but in all the years I have implemented the policy we have had no complaints