Online First Aid, Mental Health, Fire Safety Training Courses

We are now delivering online mental health training courses via Zoom. This is with a qualified instructor. Please contact us to discuss the options or see: Online Zoom Mental Health training courses

IMPORTANT: HSE compliant workplace first aid training must not be delivered 100% online, there must be some classroom training!

Many people are seeking compliant online first aid training. It is very important that you understand the rules, regulations and official guidance. Some on-line training providers are clearly giving out misleading information.

If your workplace safety training is not sufficient, adequate and compliant with regulations: you are liable, not the training provider. You can take action against the provider later but this does not protect you/your business from problems or prosecution.

The UK Health And Safety Executive (HSE) state an employer should:
"make sure" ... "sufficient time is allocated to classroom-based learning and assessment of the practical elements of the syllabus. HSE strongly recommends that practical elements of the course should be assessed by direct observation, to ensure the competence of candidates"...
You can see this clearly in section 23 of this HSE first aid requirements document.

In addition to the HSE guidance, FAIB along with other Representative Bodies (including the Chairperson of the Ofqual First Aid Awarding Body Forum, the Voluntary Aid Societies and the Resuscitation Council) have been involved in a mini consultation exercise with HSE.
In order to ensure that Standards within First Aid training are being maintained the following areas should always be considered:

• Ensure that blended learning is as effective as face to face learning
• Ensure that students know how to use the technology
• Ensure that the Training Provider has adequate means of supporting students
• Ensure that the Training Provider has a robust system to prevent identity fraud
• Ensure time is set aside during the working day to undertake any First Aid training they receive.  (Regulation 13, Health & Safety Management Regulations 1999)
• Ensure that Contact time IS NOT reduced but it may provide more flexibility particularly for the Employer.

What does this mean for employers?
Simply put: if you go against the HSE guidance and the agreed industry self-regulation standards, it is highly unlikely your training will hold up to scrutiny by insurers, in court, a tribunal, coroner's inquest, etc.

If you have received information contradicting the above, please get the training provider to explain (in writing/email) why they think you can go against the HSE guidance and the agreed industry self-regulation standards. Remember, it is you and not the training provider that will be held to account.

Please contact us to discuss this further and to ensure your training and qualifications are valid for your needs.