That’s why it makes sense to learn new skills for work with ABC North West. ABC North West run a wide range of key courses for employees, from basic first aid courses and fire training, to advanced courses such as de-fibrillation.

Employers are duty bound to have trained first aiders on their staff, so having these qualifications will make your job safer, because if your employer were to make you redundant, then they would have to send someone else for first aid training to replace your role. Similarly, if you are applying for a job with a new company that is short on qualified first aiders, then your training will be a major advantage.

ABC North West first aid courses, fire training courses and de-fibrillation courses range from half a day to just a few days, and lead to industry recognised certificates of competence that will make your CV shine. Not only could they help you to save your job, they could also help you to save lives.

So get yourself qualified and give your job prospects a boost with training from ABC North West – one of the industry’s leading safety training providers.

If the incident left you wondering what you would do in a similar situation, then perhaps it is time to consider first aid training with ABC North West. As the current Vinny Jones TV adverts show, basic cardiac massage is simple to apply. You lay the patient on their back and push firmly up and down on the chest to the beat of the Bee Gee’s hit Stayin’ Alive (or Nellie the Elephant if you prefer). There is no need for the ‘kiss of life’ or anything more complicated than these chest compressions. However, with the right training, you can not only hone this skill, but also learn about the many other ways you can help to save lives.

ABC North West offer a wide range of training courses, including first aid training, health and safety training and fire training courses for both company delegates and private individuals.  The courses are run by experienced experts and take just a few days to complete. What’s more, they are very competitively priced.

As an employer, you have a legal obligation to provide appropriate first aid cover for your workforce, but in reality, it goes far beyond that. Surely we all have a moral obligation to equip ourselves with the skills that could save the life of another person. As Muamba proved, it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime, so it makes sense to be prepared.

Someone trained in first aid would know exactly what to do, and could save Bill’s life while you wait for the ambulance.

Alternatively: Young Janet in accounts, a talented pianist with ambitions to turn professional one day, traps her arm when the wind suddenly blows the window closed. Swift and appropriate attention could save crucial functions in her arm and mean the difference between playing professionally or not playing again at all.

A trained first aider would know exactly how to help to minimise the damage to Janet’s arm and give her the best chance of recovery.

As the two examples above clearly show, first aid training from ABC Northwest means more than just fulfilling your company’s legal responsibility. It means you are able to provide a safe and protective environment for all your workers, whatever happens in the course of their day. You might not save lives, or careers, every day, but it’s great to know that you will be able to help however, and whenever you are needed.

Imagine what it would feel like to watch Bill die, knowing that with just a few hours training you, or your nominated first aid trained staff, could have saved his life. First aid training is more than a legal obligation; it’s a moral one that every caring employer should undertake to the fullest. So don’t regret, prepare, with a first aid course from ABC Northwest.

First aid training is essential for any business, as appropriate first aid cover is a legal obligation. ABC Northwest can help with Manchester first aid training to ensure that your company or organisation not only meets the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), but also provides the level of protection and safety your workforce deserves.

ABC Northwest’s Manchester first aid training is delivered by an experienced team who have worked in companies just like yours, and who understand the demands of the workplace. They use this experience to create and deliver the first aid training Manchester companies need, aimed at the right level and tailored to your exact requirements.

As a local company, ABC Northwest also understand the financial demands on businesses, and work hard to keep our first aid training in Manchester affordable and cost effective by keeping our company efficient and our overheads low. We can provide first aid training at our own specialist premises, or you can save even more by providing your own training space in house. This also cuts the time required for training and reduces the loss of production as a result.

ABC Northwest are a HSE direct registered training provider (license number 1325/930). This means that our first aid training meets all the required standards for certification, so why pay more to other companies for the same level of service?

For high quality, low cost first aid training in Manchester and across the North West, make ABC Northwest your first call, and ensure that your staff are well trained and your workforce are well cared for.

There are many different factors to consider when working out what that appropriate number of people may be, and you will need to consider all of these when working out how many first aiders your company needs.

The most important factor is the level of hazards that are present in the workplace. HSE guidelines suggest that low hazard environments, such as offices or shops, only need one suitably qualified first aider for the first 50 people, and one more for each additional 100 people on staff. In more hazardous environments, this rises to one first aider for any number of staff between 5 and 50 and a further first aider for every 50 staff beyond that.

You should also consider the working patterns of your staff, and the layout of your operations, to ensure that cover is always readily available on site when it is needed. For example, if your company operates a shift pattern, or operates across a large or widely dispersed site, you may need more first aiders to ensure help is available on every shift.

ABC Northwest are the experts in first aid training and can help you assess the number of trained first aiders you will need, as well as providing the required training to HSE approved standards, to ensure that you comply with the regulations described above. We can also provide advanced first aider training, which includes emergency treatments, to enhance your first aid cover.

The provision of occupational health services is often overlooked by companies as an expensive luxury, yet it can actually save your company much more than it costs.

Occupational health services and policies can significantly reduce absence through illness, by spotting health conditions early before they take hold and require more extensive treatment and longer time off work. Knowing there is someone to help with their health at work can also mean that staff will come in, rather than take the day off to see their doctor.

Providing occupational health services also improves staff morale, creating a sense that your company cares for its staff as people rather than just cogs in the corporate machine. Happier, healthier staff will not only take less time off sick, but are also much more likely to stay with your company, cutting the cost and hassle of recruiting replacements.

For some companies, occupational health and testing is a legal requirement, especially for noisy environments or hazards covered by COSHH, and a range of tests are required by law on a regular basis. In these companies, the provision of high quality occupational health not only helps you to comply with legislation, but also reduces the cost of liability and other insurance.

ABC Northwest provides a range of occupational health services north west companies can rely on. As the leading occupational health consultancy in the region, we can offer both practical solutions, such as testing and assessments, as well as expert advice on how to set up your own occupational health team.

ABC Northwest understands the many benefits of occupational health services for businesses large and small, and can help your organisation to provide a safer, healthier workplace for your staff, and a healthier bottom line for your company in the process.

First aid training will not only help your employer to meet their legal obligations for first aid support in the workplace, but can also help you to save lives. So how do you go about becoming a first aider in Manchester?

How to become a first aider in Manchester

One of the leading companies for first aid training Manchesterand first aid training Bolton is ABC Northwest. ABC Northwest provides comprehensive first aid training for companies and individuals alike, with courses based either at our offices or at your place of work.

ABC Northwest has been offering occupational health services northwest wide for many years, so we understand both the requirements of current legislation and the needs of local people and northwest companies. Our training will help you to provide swift assistance in a wide range of situations, including accidents and medical emergencies, giving that critical initial care that can make all the difference while you wait for an ambulance to arrive.

Early intervention by first aiders really can save lives, by clearing airways, stopping blood loss and stopping any further damage or injury from occurring while you await expert help. First aid training from ABC Northwest will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to take control in any emergency situation, and even instruct others in the best way to help you to help a victim.

Becoming a first aider is a highly worthwhile thing to do, and adds a new string to your bow and a new dimension to your CV. And if you change jobs, a first aid qualification will give your applications that little bit extra, as you will be saving your new employer the cost of training one of their existing staff.

First aid training from ABC Northwest saves lives and could help improve your life too, so contact ustoday to see how we can help you learn these essential skills.

ABC Northwest specialise in offering first aid training coursesto a number of diverse businesses within the Northwest of England, specifically concentrating in companies in the Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and Manchester areas. First Aid within the work place is an extremely vital aspect of any business in this day and age as it is now a legal obligation. ABC Northwest offer training and courses that will help your work force meet all the legal requirements, ensuring that if there is an accident in the work place then you are fully equipped to deal with certain circumstances. ABC will provide you and your colleagues with sufficient advice and training that meets the current HSE standards and if any particular rules or regulations are brought in at a later date, ABC can make sure that you are informed and trained on this. The tutors on board at ABC have many years of hands on industrial experience and therefore have a good appreciation and understanding of the workplace and this enables to provide relevant training at a sufficient standard and where needed, tailored to your exact work needs at a very affordable price. We are very flexible in regards to the training courses that we hold and we can either deliver the training on your premises or at one of our training centres throughout the UK. So if you are looking for first aid training Burnley, first aid training Manchester, Blackburn or Bolton.

 Changes to Health & SafetyFirst Aidat Work Regulations

1^stOctober 2009

 Employers Guide

CONTENTS
ONE	First Aid needs assessment -risks
TWO	New FAW & EFAW course content
THREE	First Aid needs assessment – continued
FOUR	First Aid needs assessment – continued
FIVE	New sequence of Training
SIX	Examples of needs assessment
SEVEN	Help from ABC

The new First Aid at Work Guidelines for Employers from the Health and Safety Executive are effective from 1^stOctober 2009. ABC North West Ltd has produced this guide to help you through the changes. Do not hesitate to contact us for further guidance.0845 634 4168

Changes to Health & Safety
First Aid at Work Regulations

Guide to Carrying out a First Aid Needs Assessment

The new First Aid at Work Guidelines for Employers from the Health and Safety Executive are effective from 1^stOctober 2009. The new type of first aid needs assessment will identify what type of first aid training your first aiders will need, how many first aiders you need and where they should be located.

A First Aid Needs Assessment should consider the following topics:

• the nature of the work, the hazards and the risks

• the nature of the workforce

• the organisation’s history of accidents and illness

• the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers

• work patterns such as shift work

• the distribution of the workforce

• the remoteness of the site from emergency medical services

• employees working on shared or multi-occupied sites

• annual leave and other absences of first aiders

• first-aid provision for non-employees

• the size of the organisation

The nature of the work, the hazards and the risks

One of the more complicated areas of the new first aid needs assessment is considering ‘the nature of the work, the hazards and the risks’. You should consider the risks and identify what possible injuries could occur in order to ensure sufficient first aid provision is available.

The following table, compiled using information from the Health & Safety Executive, identifies some common workplace risks and the possible injuries that could occur:

Risk	Possible Injuries Requiring First Aid
Manual Handling	Fractures, lacerations, sprains and strains.
Slip and trip hazards	Fractures, sprains and strains, lacerations.
Machinery	Crush injuries, amputations, fractures, lacerations, eye injuries.
Work at height	Head injury, loss of consciousness, spinal injury, fractures, sprains and strains.
Workplace transport	Crush injuries, fractures, sprains and strains, spinal injuries.
Electricity	Electric shock, burns.
Chemicals	Poisoning, loss of consciousness, burns, eye injuries.

The table is not comprehensive and does not cover all the risks that could occur in a workplace, so you should look at each area of the workplace and document the risks and the possible injuries.

One reason for this exercise is to ensure that you provide the correct typeof first aider(s). There are now two levels of workplace first aider:

• Emergency First Aider at Work (EFAW) – 6 hour course

• First Aider at Work (FAW) – 18 hour course.

You should ensure that your first aiders are trained to deal with the injuries and illness that could occur. The table below will help you match your requirements to the most appropriate course:

New FAW & EFAW course content

Extra, specialised training and provision may be needed for hazards such as chemicals, dangerous machinery, working in confined spaces etc.

You should also consider the possible illnesses that could occur in the workplace and ensure you have adequate provision.

The Nature of the Workforce

You should consider the needs and health of all workers and ensure that first aiders are available and trained to deal with specific health needs. You should consider things such as:

• The Young
• The Elderly

• Specific health problems (such as heart conditions, asthma, diabetes etc.)

• Disabilities

The Organisation’s History of Accidents and Illness

You should look at the organisations history of accidents and illness to try and identify any needs or trends that may influence the location or type of first aider. Different levels of provision may be required in different areas of the workplace.

The Needs of Travelling, Remote and Lone Workers

First Aid should be available wherever people work so you may need to consider providing personal first aid kits or training to travelling, remote or lone workers.

Work Patterns Such as Shift Work

Adequate first aid cover should be available whenever people are at work. There may be circumstances when a higher level of cover is needed when less people are at work, such as overnight maintenance work in a normally low risk environment.

The Distribution of the Workforce

First Aiders should be able to reach the scene of an incident quickly. Consider extra first aiders on large sites, sites with multiple buildings or buildings with multiple floors.

Remoteness to the site from Emergency Medical Services

If the workplace is remote from emergency medical services you may need to make special transport arrangements should an incident occur. Consider how employees will summon help – do they have access to a phone?

Even in urban areas you should be aware that it often takes more than 10 minutes for an ambulance crew to reach a casualty, so the correct provision of first aid is a vital link in reducing the effects of illness or injury.

Employees Working on Shared or Multi-Occupied Sites

On shared work sites it may be possible to share first aid provision, such as the security team providing first aid cover at a large shopping centre. It is important to fully exchange details of the hazards and risks so that adequate first aid cover is provided. Make agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

Annual leave and other foreseeable absences

You should ensure that adequate first aid cover is available at all times, including when a first aider is on annual leave, a training course, a lunch break or other foreseeable absences. This generally means that workplaces need more than one first aider to ensure that cover is maintained.

If your first aid needs assessment identifies the need for a ‘First Aider at Work’ (18 hour course), it is not acceptable to provide an ‘Emergency First Aider at Work’ (6 hour course) to cover foreseeable absences. You should also consider what cover is needed for non-planned absences such as sick leave.

First Aid Provision for Non-Employees

The HSE recommend that you include non-employees in your first aid needs assessment. You should consider the duty of care that you assume when a non-employee visits your site. This is particularly relevant if you provide a service for others such as schools, places of entertainment, shops etc. Consider both the injuries and illnesses that could occur.

For large events such as concerts, organisers have a duty of care to ensure that adequate medical, ambulance and first aid cover is available. Organisers of such events should refer to The Event Safety Guide, published by HSE books, for further information.

The Size of the Organisation

The number of people on a site should no longer be the primary basis for determining first aid needs; all the areas of the new first aid needs assessment should be carefully considered. However, in general terms the larger your organisation is, the more first aiders you will need.

After identifying the locations / times that first aid cover is needed, the HSE recommend:

• That ‘non-manual’, low risk workplaces (such as shops, offices, libraries) have a minimum of one first aider on duty at all times per 100 people (or part thereof).
• That ‘manual’ workplaces (light assembly work, warehousing, food processing or higher risks), have a minimum of one first aider on duty at all times per 50 people (or part thereof).

Work places with more than 50 people

It is likely that if your workplace is large you will have already identified the need for full FAW (18 hour) training for your first aiders, but in any case, due to the increased probability of illness and injury occurring in larger workplaces, the HSE recommend that full FAW (18 hour) training is provided if 50 or more people are employed.

Reviewing the First Aid Needs Assessment

You should review your first aid needs from time to time, particularly if you have operational changes in your workplace. It is recommended that a record is kept of incidents dealt with by first aiders to assist in this process.

Annual Refresher Training

Due to the wealth of evidence on the severity of ‘first aid skill fade’, the HSE now recommend that all First Aiders attend annual refresher training. The flow chart enclosed shows the new sequence of training:

The New sequence of recommended training

Year 1

First Aid at Work (FAW)
18 hour course

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)

6 hour course

Annual First Aid Refresher Course
3 hour course

Annual Refresher
3 hour course

First Aid at Work Requalifying Course

(12 hours)

Emergency First Aidat Work (EFAW)

(Repeat of initial course)

First Aid Needs Assessment – Examples

These examples should be read in conjunction with the “Guide to Carrying out a First Aid Needs Assessment”.

Example 1:

An engineering company with 150 employees carried out a first aid needs assessment. They have 2 shifts with 75 employees on each shift. Because they are a larger employer with more than 50 staff on site they need full FAW (18 hour) training for their first aiders (irrelevant of what risks are present).

Taking account of the number of employees on each shift, the company need a minimum of 2 first aiders on duty at all times (one for every 50 people or part thereof). To ensure that this level of cover is maintained during foreseeable absences, which in this case includes annual leave, changing shifts to attend meetings and regular staff training, the company decided to train an extra 3 first aiders on each shift (total 5 first aiders per shift).

Example 2:

An accountancy company have 25 employees in an office. Manual work is limited to employees lifting small boxes. The hours of work are 9 to 5. Having considered the possible illness and injuries that could occur, the company decided to provide EFAW (6 hour) training for their first aiders. To ensure that cover was provided at all times the company trained 2 emergency first aiders. The holiday rota system was adjusted so that only one first aider could book annual leave at a time.

Example 3:

A retail store identified different areas of risk in different areas of the workplace. The company identified that the office area only required EFAW first aiders, but reviewing the accident records they identified that slips and trips had occurred in the store and a customer suffered a severe asthma attack last year. The company felt that they assumed a duty of care when customers were on their premises so they decided to provide FAW (18 hour) training for their first aiders. This ensured that the first aiders were trained to deal with the possible injuries and illness that could occur in the store and also provided adequate cover for the office. To cover shifts and foreseeable absences, the company decided to train 3 first aiders on each shift.

Example 4:

An electrical contracting company have a team of 20 electricians who work mainly on building sites, but sometimes they work for domestic clients. The electricians work in pairs. When the electricians work on building sites, the main building contractor always assumes responsibility for first aid provision (this is documented in writing). There is no first aider provided when the electricians work for domestic clients. The company decided that due to the risk of electrical shock, electrical burns, slips, trips and manual handling injuries they would provide full FAW training for all staff. This ensured that they could send any electrician to any job without pre-arranging that first aid cover would be provided by the customer. The company provided a first aid kit in each company van and all the staff had access to a mobile phone which ensured that they would be able to call emergency services wherever they were working.

Example 5:

A call centre employs 450 staff in a 10 storey office building. Health & Safety Executive advice recommends 1 FAW first aider per 100 employees (or part thereof), which required at least 4 first aiders on duty at all times. The company decided to train 1 first aider on each floor (10 in total) which ensured that cover was available for foreseeable absences and the first aiders would be distributed evenly throughout the building should an incident occur.

The same call centre expanded and employed a further 250 employees to work on an evening shift in the same building. An extra 5 first aiders were trained to cover this shift; they are spread over several floors but are in close proximity to where people work.

Example 6:

A small office based company have an excellent health and safety record and found that the risk of injuryto staff is minimal. When considering the likelihood of illnessthat could occur however, the company identified that a member of staff suffered from heart problems. The company decided to provide FAW (18 hour) training for the first aiders to ensure that they were able to deal with the sudden illness that could occur

How is ABC helping you with the changes?

Free guidance for employers

abc has produced this easy to follow guide to help with understanding the changes and we also offer free impartial advice. So you can contact us at any time on 0845 634 4168 and we would be only too pleased to advise or if required visit your site and discuss your first aid needs without any cost or obligations.

More availability of courses

ABC will be providing even more choice of courses during 2010 and beyond with the introduction of the 3 day FAW, the EFAW and providing open courses for annual updates there will be more available dates and the option of a new day release course for the 3 day FAW

Free training offer

We would like you to undertake the annual update program and we will be providing these as open courses or if preferred as on site courses at your premises, it’s your choice. For those who undertake the new 3 day FAW course during October 2009 to December 2010 then those employees will receive a one year annual update free of charge

Annual Updates for all

We would like to offer all your first aiders annual update training and you can add Any First Aider on to our update program at a cost of £15.00 per person +vat which we will guarantee to hold for both year one and the same cost for year two. The update training to be held at one of our venues

If you prefer however and you have 10 or more first aiders to update per session then we will conduct the update training on site at your venue where existing first aiders can be added at £15.00 per head. You can also use your free training places on the in house courses for those employees who qualify for the free one year update.