Measures in place for safe first aid training

 

The most asked question of late and understandably is; What measures are in place for first aid training to be delivered given the current situation?

First Response First Aid Ltd (FRFA) are following the latest joint guidance provided to us by the First Aid Quality Partnership (FAQP) and the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum (FAAOF) both of these groups have regular meetings with the Health & Safety executive relating directly to Providing Safe, Socially Distanced First Aid Training.

The safety of your staff and ours is the No1 priority and despite the lockdown loosening FRFA will continue to be alert and maintain the social distancing measures and the strict infection control measures in place.

When you book a course you will receive a confirmation letter and within the confirmation letter, it will explain what yours and what FRFA's responsibilities are. 

Your responsibilities are:

• For courses at your venue learners must be seated 2 metres apart. This will determine the maximum class size, therefore, the venue must be assessed and the maximum class size ascertained. (up to the maximum the course allows) See room layout document "social distancing for first aid training"
• Inform learners that if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms they cannot attend training and should follow the latest Government advice. Symptoms are now continuous cough and/or a temperature >37.8°C and/or a loss of taste/smell. If you have the ability to check temperatures safely and non-invasively prior to training, please do so.
• Inform learners if they are in a situation where they should be self-isolating e.g. a family member has had symptoms or the Learner themselves should be shielded as they are in an at-risk group they cannot attend training and should follow the latest Government advice.
• Inform all learners to thoroughly sanitise their hands on arrival before training. Instruct them that if they need to cough/sneeze this should be done into a tissue that is disposed of immediately. Failing that they should cough into a bent elbow (better than a bare hand) and NEVER cough/sneeze without covering their mouth/nose. If someone coughs on their hand or uses a tissue they should use alcohol sanitizer immediately.
• Send or show Learners the videos below on how COVID-19 spreads and how to wash your hands:
• How is Covid-19 Spread and how do you protect yourself against it? - 90-second video
• How to wash your hands - NHS - 44-second video
• Learners to bring with them their own pens.

FRFA's responsibilities are:

• To follow the latest joint guidance provided by the First Aid Quality Partnership (FAQP) and the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum (FAAOF) relating directly to providing safe, socially distanced first aid training.
• Create a specific risk assessment and method statement relating directly to COVID-19. These documents will be made available to you as part of your course confirmation email at the time of booking. 
• On arrival, question all Learners and exclude those with known COVID-19 symptoms (new continuous cough and/or a temperature and/or a loss of taste/smell.
• Check that no Learner is in a situation where they should be self-isolating (e.g. a family member has had symptoms or the Learner should be shielding as they are in an at-risk group). Exclude from the course as necessary.
• On arrival, ask all learners to thoroughly sanitise or wash their hands. Make available either Clinell or Alcohol wipes for this purpose in addition to the washing facilities on site.
• Remind all learners that if they need to cough/sneeze this should be done into a tissue that is disposed of immediately. Failing that they should cough into a bent elbow (better than a bare hand) and NEVER cough/sneeze without covering their mouth/nose. If someone coughs on their hand or uses a tissue, they should use alcohol sanitizer immediately or use the Clinell/Alcohol wipes available in the room.
• Set out the room such that learners maintain 2m physical distance between each other, and the Instructor throughout. If the room is not of sufficient size to allow this STOP immediately.
• Complete all practical activities in accordance with the document ‘COVID-19 Assessment Adjustments’
• Ensure equipment to be used by learners has been thoroughly cleaned prior to the course, and afterwards using Clinell or Alcohol wipes
• Instruct all learners to also clean any FRFA equipment they have touched thoroughly using Clinell or Alcohol wipes, before and after use.

What's changed?

• The most significant change that has enabled first aid training to resume is the assessment adjustments to allow for physical distancing that has been agreed by the FAQP and the FAAOF. In summary, these adjustments are clear instructions to training organisations explaining how the practical activities and competency assessments can safely be carried out without the need for close contact and clear guidance on the use of equipment.
• The maximum number of learner allowed on a first aid course are being determined by the size of the room ensuring social distancing can be maintained at all times.
• Unfortunately, on all FRFA open courses refreshments will NOT be provided as they once were.
• Please get in touch if you would like any further information relating to the measures we have in place.