22/05/2020
PLAN FOR RETURN TO FIRST AID TRAINING!!
The First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum have released a statement outlining a plan for the return of classroom training for first aid, and this is mirrored for all Train Together (Nuco) qualifications.
Essential Training for Key Workers.
Training can take place now for key workers where training is deemed as essential for them to be able to fulfil their jobs. Where training can be delayed, it should in the first instance, but where it cannot be delayed then the training can take place but only under strict adherence to Government guidance, social distancing and the hygiene measures.
Examples of key workers include NHS staff, emergency service staff, supermarket workers, school teachers/workers, care home workers, etc.
Return to Training for non-essential Learners.
After comprehensive discussions with key stakeholders within the industry it has been decided that first aid training can resume once the Government has lowered the coronavirus threat level to 3 (England).
The UK is currently on approximately level 3.5 and it is anticipated that England will move to level 3 on the 1st June, but this has yet to be confirmed by the Government.
Please note that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may not drop to their acceptable levelling at the same time as England, so Trainers must ensure that they are aware of the COVID threat level before commencing training and must prioritise Government restrictions over the guidance issued by the awarding body, Nuco Training.
The Government is currently encouraging employees to return to work, where working from home is not possible, and will also move to ‘step 2’ of its plan to loosen lockdown when it moves to level 3 (England) and this is when shops and schools can begin to open. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure a safe working environment, of which first aid training is an essential part, so first aid training will need to resume to ensure employers are able to fulfil this legal responsibility.
Where training takes place, after lowering the COVID threat level to 3 (England), the following guidance must be followed:
A training provider must risk assess their training delivery and mitigate all risks of possible spread of COVID-19.
A training provider must design lessons to ensure that there is no close contact between learners and or trainers and a 2m distance is always maintained. Sensible adaptions to training and assessment activities must be introduced to achieve this.
A training provider must ensure appropriate handwashing facilities and / or alcohol hand sanitisers are available for use as learners enter and exit the training room and throughout their time in the classroom.
A training provider must have in place a process for preventing those with possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, a new cough or loss of smell/taste) from entering the classroom. They must also have in place a process to manage instances of people who develop symptoms during the delivery of any training.
A training provider must have a process in place to be notified, then ‘track and trace’ other learners if someone on the course develops symptoms within 2 weeks of attending first aid training.
All equipment that is used by learners must be thoroughly cleaned before use by an individual learner.
The first aid taught must reflect protocols that ensure the safe performance of first aid during the current COVID-19 outbreak that is supported by a body of medical opinion and the Resuscitation Council UK. This must still include the teaching of rescue breaths.
These requirements have been created by the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) are still in discussions with regards to certificate expiry extensions for learners who are currently unable to undergo requalification training and we expect an announcement regarding this at the end of next week.
