We have several medium risk warehouses and our company policy is that at least one first aider must be on duty during operating hours (normall EFAW). Unfortunately quite a few staff, including first aiders, are unable to attend for various coronavirus reasons.

The HSE have said that online training is no good, even in the immediate short term. I am also not aware of any relaxation in the rules (or is it guidance?) from HSE, or any relaxation to extne dthe expiry date for trained people.

Is anyone aware of any relaxation at all in the guidance and are others having the same problem?

Thanks.

David

Your FAAW numbers will have been set with consideration of normal working attendance

If you have less staff at site then logic dictates the requirement for First Aiders will also be reduced perhaps to such a level you can get by with an appointed person especially from the level of EFAW

Lets be realistic when their certificate expires FAAW personnel do not suddenly forget what they have learned - thats normally the day after the course ends ;-)

The HSE has confirmed a delay (currently until June) for certificates due to expire https://www.sja.org.uk/course-information/covid-19/#HSE%20statement

struggling with the premise of 'relaxing' the rules on first aid...there are precautions to be taken and infection control being key...update your FA risk assessment and ensure that you are covered for the activities your are carrying out...we have been conducting several things by HD video conference including HAZOP/ PHAs and medical requals...I would be rather pee'd off if a first aider was just waving the ambulance in and not doing hands only on a cardiac arrest...in my mind apart from the numbers nothing changes, bit more attention to infection control and PPE but everything else is the same....