Posted By Robert_N I have been asked for reasons why we pay our first aiders for carrying out the role which I feel could be leading to not paying them. We do have an issue with some of the first aiders not attending incidents but that is being worked on. If I could have your feed back to help me build on my list that would be great

Posted By Coshh Assessor To show that they are appreciated!

Posted By Rachel W-D We are currently in the process of trying to organise payment for first aiders. It is the businesses duty to provide them so if these kind people didn't volunteer no doubt some costly contractors would have to be brought in. Much better to have people who enjoy doing it (they wouldn't have volunteered otherwise) and know the business and possible hazards, not to mention cheaper.

Posted By joolz040770 I agree with water67 but I have to say that withdrawing payments in this economic climate may be met with some objection and frustration, perhaps adding to your existing problems with your first aiders.

Posted By Phil Rose I personally find it 'odd' that someone would want paying extra for performing this (moral) 'duty'. I have a 'waiting list' of people that have asked to be first aiders, even in the knowledge that they will not get any extra pay for doing it! It's a great skill to have and all the better when your employer has given you the time to have the training. We 'undid' countless years of LA practice in removing the payment first aiders with little or no resistance at all. We retained most of our previously 'paid' first aiders and got more volunteers on top!

Posted By Swis “people who are not willing to stand in the gap, or who will do so only for money are somehow immoral”. Yossarian – in order to provide first aid, you need to be adequately trained. If you are not trained, you simply can’t provide first aid. Does that mean people who are not qualified are immoral? We are talking about workplace here and it’s the duty of the employer to make reasonable arrangements for first aid. Under no way, it’s legislative or moral duty of fellow employee to provide first aid. Helping someone is a different thing but being available all the time is something different. I’ve never seen any nurse or doctor treating patients free. If we are to think ‘humanity & morality’, then everyone at work need to go to first aid course. Who will pay for the course? Who will compensate employer for the lost time? Are you a first aider your self? (no offence meant) I personally agree with anderson8 on this.

Posted By FAH Forgive me if I missed it when scanning the previous responses - if it's a contractual duty then the function should attract a suitable remuneration. If it's voluntary, then there is no direct contractual requirement to pay anything. If there are a lack of volunteers then offering a payment may be the only way to get sufficient volunteers. This doesn't mean that it need become a permanent payment; it should always be discretionary and never allowed to become enshrined as a "right". After all, if you can't get sufficient volunteers, the costs of then ensuring that you meet the requirements of the First Aid Regs AND the Management Regs will certainly cost a lot more. Frank Hallett

Posted By Philjimman I feel firstaiders should be paid in direct relation to quantity of people helped, as i do feel some people abuse it, and go out of there way not to help, especially in a large organisation where 'someone else can do it'. Just my opionion

Posted By safetyamateur First Aiders paid on commission? Interesting. I can see incidents sky-rocketting and a fair number of perfectly healthy employees bandaged up like Michelinmen.

Posted By Swis commission??? Who mentioned this?

Posted By naveen duggal Hi, I apologise in expressing....about award or incentives or rewards....It has been mis-understood. First-Aiders job is as noble as Nursing profession. Pl.Excuse my wording.

Posted By water67. Hi, staff trained as F/A in my organisation, an LA, volunteer it isn't a contractual thing. I have no real issue with them being paid..i was just pointing out that staff who volunteer to be fire wardens have to be trained and have to be available at any time to undertake the duties.. Thus there is a view that they should also get paid. Before someone points it out, i and they are aware that a first aider may be asked to undertake duties (e.g. CPR) which, is much more traumatic, stress full etc. than those undertaken by fire wardens.. As i said just a view expressed by some of our staff..