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Covid-19 advice on expiry of certificates from the HSE
Date: 19 Mar 2020
The HSE has extended any First Aid certificates due to run out after 16th March 2020 by 3 months:
Extension of FAW, EFAW, Paediatric First Aid and Emergency Paediatric First Aid
HSE STATEMENT (THURSDAY, 19TH MARCH 2020)
The changes will also apply to Paediatric First Aid and Emergency Paediatric First Aid.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware that people holding Offshore Medic (OM), Offshore First Aid (OFA), First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificates nearing expiry date, might experience disruption to access to requalification training as a result of events or circumstances generated by the coronavirus pandemic.
HSE’s current guidance on the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l74.pdf and the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations 1989 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l123.pdf is that those holding an OM, OFA, FAW or EFAW qualification should undertake retraining before their original certificate expires and HSE strongly recommends that employers, and individuals holding those qualifications should plan for requalification training well in advance of expiry dates.
If however requalification training is prevented for reasons associated directly with coronavirus or by complying with related government advice, it is reasonable and practical to extend the validity of current certificates by up to 3 months. Anyone taking advantage of this extension should be able to describe clearly their reasons for delaying requalification training, and demonstrate steps they have taken to undertake the training, if required.
This guidance comes into effect for certificates expiring on or after 16th March 2020. HSE will review this matter over the coming months and will issue further statements as necessary.
Phil Smith | Vulnerable Workers, Competence, Worker Involvement and First Aid policy,
Engagement and Policy Division
Health & Safety Executive.
