1AN KERSHAW-FOFATO CONFERENCES 2010
CONFERENCES 2010
Firstly we would like to thank all the delegates and the guest speakers for taking the time and effort to attend our Conferences in 2010.
As requested by our Members last year we managed to hold 2 Conferences, 1 in Scotland and 1 in Northern England and although attendances were slighty down on last year there was still enough number to achieve some lively debates. Although we do accept there were certain technical problems which we will endeavour to alleviate for next year.
From your feedback we know you want us to hold further Conferences and it will be out intention to run 3 Conferences next year (depending upon your support) which will include an additional Conference in Southern England again at the request of our Members. It will also be out intention to further ask for comments in relation to potential Topics and/or Guest Speakers.
In relation to FOFATO the Federation is going from strength to strength and we are still recruiting new Members. However the time has come now where we need a management Structure with more Regional Support in order to promote the name to both Employers and Training Organisations alike.
The issue of Ofqual/SQA again came up at the Conferences and we will be doing another survey amongst all members on this point.
We will also be doing further work regarding the FOFATO Paediatric Register and Third Party Working.
We also discussed the FOFATO Course Booker/Trainer Registration system at the Conferences and was given a positive response from all delegates although we accept that certain refinements are required which we hope will be actioned very quickly.
We hear your concerns regarding the HSE stance regarding running 6 FAW courses and as we said at the Conferences you will have the full support of FOFATO in any dealing you have with HSE on this subject.
FOFATO are now starting to target Employers in relation to the selling of products and gaining First Aid and other Training business for our Members.
Finally we really do appreciate your feedback and if you have any other comments in relation to FOFATO or the First Aid Industry then we would be pleased to hear them.
Best Wishes
Ian Kershaw MBE
FOFATO
1ST NATIONAL DATABASE
THE 1ST OCTOBER 2009 SHOULD BE AN IMPORTANT DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS AND FIRST AID TRAINING ORGANISATIONS ALIKE.
FOFATO IS LAUNCHING A NATIONAL COURSE REGISTER IN ORDER TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS FIND A PLACE ON A FIRST AID OR HEALTH AND SAFETY RELATED TRAINING COURSE.
PLEASE CONTACT IAN KERSHAW ON 0161 494 9045 OR 07786 018451 FOR FURTHER ADVICE AND GUIDANCE.
1st OCTOBER 2009 (MUST BE READ)
VERY IMPORTANT NEWS (PLEASE READ)
AS A FIRST AID TRAINING PROVIDER (AND PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED WITH HSE THAT BIG CHANGES WILL AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS ON 1st OCTOBER 2009.
FOFATO ARE HERE TO HELP YOU
PLEASE CONTACT US ON 0161 494 9045
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!
1st OCTOBER 2009 (NEW ACOP)
A new Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) will be issued on 1st OCTOBER 2009 in relation to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and wil incorporate all the changes that are taking place on that date.
1st OCTOBER 2009 (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE OFQUAL)
TO ALL FIRST AID TRAINING ORGANISATIONS (AND PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE NOT HSE REGISTERED)
You are NOT required to go down the OFQUAL/SQA route as there is another alternative.
WORK WITH FOFATO AND ONE OF ITS MEMBERS AND WE WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY AS WELL AS PROVIDING THE BEST STANDARDS OF TRAINING.
CONTACT FOFATO ON 0161 494 9045
1ST SUMMER SALE ON LAERDAL PRODUCTS
SENSATIONAL OFFERS ON LEARDAL PRODUCTS FOR MEMBERS
FOR EXAMPLE LITTLE ANNE ONLY £125 + VAT DURING AUGUST 2009
CONTACT IAN kERSHAW ON 0161 494 9045 or E MAIL iankershaw@fofato.co.uk
ACOP FOR FIRST AID
ACOP FOR FIRST AID
FIRST AID INSURANCE
FOFATO can now offer First Aid Insurance for First Aid Organisations and First Aid Trainers to member's at realistic prices.
FIRST AID TRAINING ORGANISATION INSURANCE-STANDARD COVER
Employers Liability £10,000,000 limit of indemnity
Public / Products Liability £ 5,000,000 limit of indemnity
Professional Indemnity £ 250,000 limit of indemnity
Legal Expenses £ 100,000 limit
Courses-----Cost (inc IPT)
(Per Year)
20---------- £250
40---------- £300
60---------- £350
80---------- £400
120--------- £460
160--------- £515
200--------- £565
240--------- £620
Please ask for prices if you run over 240 courses per year.
IINDIVIDUAL TRAINER INSURANCE-STANDARD COVER
Public / Products Liability £ 5,000,000 limit of indemnity
Professional Indemnity £ 250,000 limit of indemnity
Legal Expenses £ 100,000 limit
Annual premium of £140.00
ONLY AVAILABLE TO FOFATO MEMBERS
Insurance is arranged by Marchant McKecknie Insurance Brokers, 30-34 Norwood, Beverley HU17 0RS.
Please call freephone 0800 458 3301 quoting your FOFATO Membership Number
Marchant McKechnie are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
FIRST AID PUBLICATIONS
FOFATO IS NOW OFFERING DAVE OLLEY AND ALAN WHITLOCK PUBLICATIONS AT DISCOUNTED PRICES TO MEMBERS.
DAVE OLLEY PUBLICATIONS
First Aid at Work Handbook-from as little as £2.50 each.
Emergency First Aid Handbook-from as little as £1.15 each.
Paediatric First Aid Handbook-from as little as £1.45 each.
The AED Training Handbook-from as little as £1.45 each.
Manual Handling Handbook-from as little as £1.45 each.
ALAN WHITLOCK PUBLICATIONS
First Aid Explained-from as little as £3.50 each.
Simply First Aid-from as little as £2.58 each.
Emergency First Aid-from as little as £1.32 each.
Appointed Person Booklet-from as little as £1.17 each.
Simply First Aid for Children-from as little as £1.32 each.
THE MINIMUM ORDER IS 24 BOOKS IN ANY CATEGORY.
POSTAGE IS FREE ON ORDERS OVER £50 OTHERWISE £3.
FOFATO FIRST AID TRAINER REGISTRATION
FOFATO is now accepting membership from First Aid Trainers. You will need to fulfill our strict membership requirements including relevant First Aid qualifications, Teaching qualifications and portfolio of evidence.
Once registered you will be issued with an annual membership certificate and you will be able to receive all the usual membership discounts on First Aid supplies, First Aid publications and First Aid Insurance. The cost is only £10 + vat (£11.75) per year.
FOFATO PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID REGISTER
The Paediatric Register was set up at the request of FOFATO members. Following the demise of the NCMA/PLA scheme in July 2005 there is no nationally recognised Paediatric Register for FIrst Aid Training Organisations.
The procedures within the FOFATO Paediatric Registration scheme are written with knowledge from the OFSTED guidance for Local Authorities and the HSE general administrative standards.
As a Paediatric member you will receive a certificate of membership, use of the FOFATO logo and your name will be shown on the FOFATO website.
It could also be useful when competing for business against another Training Organisation that is not part of a representative body or when completing a tender exercise.
The cost for membership is £50 (+ vat) per year.
FOFATO-RECOGNISED BY HSE
The Federation of First Aid Training Organisations (FOFATO) is now one of the biggest representative bodies of its kind in the United Kingdom (UK).
As a consequence we are now one of the main consultees with Health and Safety EXecutive (HSE) regarding the future of First Aid Training in the UK.
FOFATO was heavily involved in the recent consultation with HSE regarding the future Approval and Monitoring systems of FIrst Aid Training where we gave a considered and representative response on behalf of our members.
A meeting has now been convened by HSE (with representative bodies including FOFATO) in early May 2008 and we would like to take the views of as many Training Organisations as possible to this meeting.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING FOFATO
The Federation was created by Ian Kershaw in November 2007 at the request of HSE First Aid at Work Training Organisations in order to assist the First Aid Industry to move forward.
In his previous position Ian was Head of First Aid Approvals and Monitoring (FAAMS) within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) from 1996 to 2007 so he is able to offer to you knowledge, expertise and complete independence from any First Aid Training Organisation.
Ever since he became involved in the First Aid Industry in 1996 he was aware that the only way to move the First Aid Industry forward was to work closely with all Training Organisations in order to achieve a consistent approach across all Training Organisations as well as raising the standards of training and most importantly understand their concerns and so achieve a more Professional Industry.
Over the past few years there has also been a lot of uncertainty in the minds of many Training Organisations following the consultations that took place between HSE and the Training Organisations between 2002 and 2004 because the process of Approval and Monitoring does not appear to have moved forward. The Federation intends to work closely with Members in an to attempt to move this forward
We feel at this stage that the First Aid Training Organisations need a way to pull together and form a powerful lobby which can move the Industry forward from the void that currently exits and tackle a lot of the present issues.
FOFATO has been formed in order to create a powerful voice across the Industry and so be able to discuss a variety of issues with HSE as well as other interested parties and with the longer term proposal of being involved in the monitoring of the First Aid Industry.
My main reason for setting up a Federation at this time is because any future consultations between HSE and Training Providers are only likely to take place with Representative Bodies rather than individual Training Organisations and a large number of Training Organisations are not represented.
The direction in which the Federation eventually moves will, of course, be determined by its members.
The aim is to create a body that represents a large number of First Aid Training Providers. Initially we will be providing advice or guidance that may be required with the First Aid Industry to individual Training Organisations. This advice will cover many issues relating to approval, monitoring or legislation. We will also produce at least a quarterly newsletter giving any relevant and up to date information.
As a member of the Federation you can also get substantial discounts on First Aid publications and First Aid supplies.
Finally we are prepared to work with any other like minded organisations and indeed we have already formed links with the National Health and Safety Committee of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in order to promote the interests of this Industry.
If you require any further information or wish to join FOFATO please contact us by phone or e mail or you can join FOFATO directly from our website.
If you are not interested in joining FOFATO at this time but would like to be kept in touch with First Aid Industry information then please let me have your full contact details including e mail address.
CHANGES FROM 1st SEPTEMBER 2008
Introduction
Following the meeting with HSE on 2nd May and feedback from the Representative Bodies the HSE has announced 3 interim changes which will take effect from 1st September 2008.
It should be noted that the first of the changes is in relation to First Aiders in the workplace.
Interim changes
Paramedics registered with the Health Professions Council are exempt from the requirement to hold a valid FAW certificate to administer first aid in the workplace.
Paramedics registered with the Health Professions Council are exempt from the requirement to hold a valid FAW certificate to be trainers/ assessors for FAW courses, providing they can demonstrate their competence to train/ assess.
One assessor can conduct assessments on an FAW course with no more than six students.
Franchising
Following on from an article in HSE First Aid at Work Newsletter Issue 2, October 2007 HSE is considering the future delivery of First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses by third parties.
Delivery of FAW training by Third Parties
At present HSE approved Training Organisations are allowed to make arrangements with a third party for delivering FAW training courses. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, do not prevent the provision of FAW training in this way.
In terms of the Approval and Monitoring process the HSE Approved Training Organisation is responsible for the quality of FAW training
Certain safeguards are required to be met including:
All FAW courses run by a third party meet the requirements defined in HSE?s guidance.
The HSE approved provider should internally verify that all trainers and assessors used by the third party are appropriately qualified and experienced and should monitor their skills at least once a year.
Only the HSE approved provider can issue FAW certificates. Therefore, any training delivered by the third party will be supported by a certificate bearing the name of the HSE approved organisation.
There needs to be a good, regular level of communication between the approved provider and the third party.
The third party should make it clear that it provides FAW courses on behalf of the approved provider and is not HSE approved in its own right.
Where the above conditions are met, third parties will be able to deliver FAW and EFAW courses in the future.
SCOUT Enterprise (Western) Ltd
HSE intends to ask its Contractor (SCOUT Enterprises (Western) Ltd) to collect relevant information when they conduct Post Approval Monitoring visits. It will cover the number of training courses being run and the number of sites from which the approved provider delivers them, including third parties.
Training Organisations who are are operating from ?multiple sites? they may require more than one monitoring visit every five years in accordance with the matrix on HSE?s website. The approved Training Organisation will be charged for each monitoring visit.
HSE will work with the approved Organisation if problems are identified however if major problems are found which are not addressed and relate to inadequate oversight by the approved Organisation, HSE may revoke the Certificate of Approval.
The collection of information on numbers of first aid training courses and training sites is likely to start before the end of 2008.
FOR FULL HSE UPDATE SEE: www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/review/jun08interim.htm
CONTENT OF NEW 1 DAY EFAW COURSE.
The Emergency First Aid at Work course should last at least 6 contact hours, excluding breaks.
On completion of training, successful candidates should be able to:
understand the role of the first aider including reference to the use of available equipment and the need for recording incidents and actions;
understand the importance of basic hygiene in first aid procedures;
assess the situation and circumstances in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency;
demonstrate how to administerfirst aid safely, promptly and effectively to a casualty who is unconscious and/or in seizure;
demonstrate how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation promptly and effectively;
demonstrate how to administer first aid safely, promptly and effectively to a casualty who is wounded or bleeding and/or in shock;
administer first aid safely, promptly and effectively to a casualty who is choking;
provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries.
CONTENT OF NEW 3 DAY FAW COURSE.
The 3 day First Aid at Work course should last at least 18 hours, excluding breaks.
On completion of training, successful candidates should be able to;
understand the role of the first aider including reference to the use of available equipment and the need for recording incidents and actions;
understand the importance of basic hygiene in first aid procedures;
assess the situation and circumstanes in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency;
demonstrate how to administer first aid safely, promptly and effectively to a casualty who is unconscious and/or in seizure;
demonstrate how to administer cardipulmonary resuscitation promptly and effectively;
demonstrate how to administer first aid safely, promptly and effectively to a casualty who is wounded or bleeding and/or in shock;
administer first aid safely, promptly and effectively to a casualty who is choking;
provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries;
recognising the presence of major illness and applying general first aid principles in its management.
In addition, candidates should be able to demonstrate the correct management:
soft tissue injuries;
injuries to bones including suspected spinal injuries;
chest injuries;
burns and scalds;
eye inuries including how to irrigate an eye;
sudden poisoning and anaphalylactic shock.
To help facilitate a move to a shorter course, the syllabus should only include those elements important to the effective provision of first aid in the workplace. Within this framework, it is important that anatomy, physiology and medical aspects etc, are kept to a minimum. Therefore, the new course should provide more emphasis on essential practical elements and less emphasis on theory.
As alluded to above, the syllabus reflects a trade off between the need to be relatively specific and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility so the course can be tailored to the needs of the employers/the audience. With this in mind, it is suggested that for the first aid management of major illness, first aiders should be able to recognise when an individual has a serious medical condition, whatever the cause, and should be able to apply general first aid principles in managing it. Placing more emphasis on specific medical conditions may suggest that the first aider will need to attempt a ?diagnosis? when dealing with a medical emergency. First Aiders should not be expected to make a diagnosis of a specific illness.
Where someone suffers an asthmatic attack, heart attack or stroke(examples of medical conditions commonly covered in current first aid at work course), while first aiders should apply general principles, there is little they can do in terms of applying procedures that would be specific to any of these conditions prior to the availability of medical expertise. Therefore the amount of detail provided on individual medical conditions should be kept to a minimum.
CONTENTS OF NEW ANNUAL REFRESHERS.
The annual refesher for both the new 3 day FAW course and the new 1 day EFAW course should last a minimum of 3 hours, on completion of training, candidates should have demonstrated their competence to:
assess the situation in an emergency;
demonstrate how to administer first aid to a casualty who is unconscious and/or in a seizure;
demonstrate how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
demonstrate how to administer first aid to a casualty who is wounded or bleeding and/or in shock;
the course should also include any updates or changes to relevant first aid procedures.
Trainers should use continuous assessment to evaluate candidates. There will be no final practical assessment.
HOW MANY FIRST AIDERS SHOULD I HAVE?
LOWER RISK WORKPLACE (e.g. Offices)
Fewer than 50 employees you need at least 1 Appointed Person (AP).
Between 50 and 100 employees you need at least 1 First Aider (FAW).
More than 100 employees you need 1 Additional First Aider (FAW) for every 100 employed (or part thereof).
MEDIUM RISK WORKPLACE (e.g. Light Engineering)
Fewer than 20 employees you need at least 1 Appointed Person (AP).
Between 20 and 100 employees you need at least 1 First Aider (FAW) for every 50 employed (or part thereof).
More than 100 employees you need 1 Additional First Aider (FAW) for every 100 employed (or part thereof).
HIGHER RISK WORKPLACE (e.g. Construction)
Fewer than 5 employees you need at least 1 Appointed Person (AP).
Between 5 and 50 employees you need at least 1 First Aider (FAW).
More than 50 employees you need 1 Additional First Aider (FAW) for every 50 employed (or part thereof).
ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC HAZARD TRAINING
Where there are hazards for which additional First Aid skills are required then, in addition you need at least 1 First Aider (FAW) trained in the specific hazard training e.g. cyanide
WHAT IS AN APPOINTED PERSON?
A person to take charge when someone is injured or falls ill, including calling an ambulance if required.
Looks after the First Aid Equipment including the First Aid Box and its contents.
An Appointed Person should be available at all times people are at work.
Appointed Persons should not attempt to give First Aid for which they have not been trained.
WHAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN A FIRST AID BOX?
There is no mandatory list.
Contents should be based on employer's assessment needs.
The contents of the First Aid box should be examined frequently and restocked soon after use.
Any items (particularly sterile ones) that have passed the expiry date should be disposed of safely and replaced by new items.
How long non-sterile items are kept is a matter of judgement based on whether they are fit for purpose.
In general tablets and medication should not be kept in First Aid Box.
A suggested list of contents where there is no specific risk in the workplace is given below for a workplace with up to 10 employees:
A leaflet giving general guidance on First Aid e.g. Basic Advice on First Aid in the Workplace (INDG214) 10/06;
20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes);
2 sterile eye pads;
4 individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile);
6 safety pins;
6 medium sized (approximately 12cm x 12cm) individually wrapped sterile unmedicated would dressings;
2 large sized (approximately 18cm x 18cm) individually wrapped sterile unmedicated would dressings;
1 pair of disposable gloves (see HSE's free leaflet:Latex and you).
The needs assessment may indicate that additional materials and materials are required for example scissors or adhesive tape. They may be kept in the first aid box if there is room or stored separately.
If mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, at least a litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers should be provided.
WHAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN TRAVELLING FIRST AID KIT?
There is no mandatory list of items to be included in First Aid kits for travelling workers. They should typically contain:
A leaflet giving general advice on First Aid (for example HSE's leaflet: Basic Advice on First Aid at Work);
6 individually wrapped, sterile plasters (hypoallergenic plasters can be provided, if necessary);
2 triangular bandages;
2 safety pins;
1 large unmedicated dressing;
individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes;
a pair of disposable gloves (see HSE's free leaflet: Latex and you).
Suitable arrangements should be in place for restocking kits.