UK Employers Urged to Refresh First Aid and Safety Training as New Courses Launch
Published on 08/24/2026 at 02:57 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Workplace safety training programmes have launched across the UK today, offering employers a chance to bring their teams up to date with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements. From one-day first aid certification in Aberdeen and Sunderland to specialist equipment safety courses in Peterborough and Surrey, the sessions aim to help businesses meet their legal duties while building practical emergency response skills.
First Aid Certification for the Workplace
The British Red Cross is running Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses today at the Holiday Inn Aberdeen West and the North East Business and Innovation Centre in Sunderland. Each session is capped at 12 participants and costs £207.60, with certification valid for three years upon completion.
The curriculum follows HSE guidelines, covering essential life-saving techniques and incident management. For many smaller workplaces, EFAW is the minimum standard required to comply with health and safety regulations, making these sessions a straightforward way for employers to stay compliant.
Equipment Safety and Legal Compliance
Beyond first aid, technical safety training is available through specialist providers such as Hurak. Abrasive wheel courses in Peterborough and Surrey focus on the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998, which require employers to ensure equipment is safe for use and that staff are adequately trained.
The courses are offered online or in person from £29.99, with a 70% pass mark required on the multiple-choice assessment. Certification remains valid for three years and is particularly relevant for workers using angle grinders and cut-off saws, where improper handling can lead to serious injury.
Specialist Training for Health and Social Care
In the West Midlands, the Universal Care Group is hosting an Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training session at the UCG Training Centre in Walsall. The session focuses on care standards and professional development within the health and social care sectors, supporting staff who work with people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
Preparing for Martyn's Law
Legislative preparedness is also on the agenda. The Shropshire Chamber and MoRServ have scheduled a Martyn's Law business guidance workshop for September 22, 2026, in Telford. The session will clarify legal obligations for public venue operators around security and emergency planning, helping businesses prepare ahead of the forthcoming requirements.
Community and International First Aid Efforts
First aid education is also reaching beyond the workplace. Earlier this month, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) launched a four-day Basic Life Support training programme in Nigeria, with American Heart Association-certified sessions involving personnel from seven hospitals, including Maitama, Kuje and Nyanya. The first round took place on August 21 and 22, with a second round scheduled for September 4 and 5, 2026. The programme aims to establish specialised Code Blue teams and includes instruction on stopping major bleeding.
Closer to home, St John Ambulance will offer free first aid sessions on September 12 and 13, 2026, at Festival Place in Basingstoke. No prior registration is required, and the sessions form part of a wider campaign to improve public emergency response skills.
Youth-focused safety education is also underway, with the Club SciKidz Emergency Vet Camp beginning a five-day programme today in Whitefish Bay. The camp introduces children aged 10 to 13 to medical procedures such as pet CPR and suturing, providing an early foundation in emergency veterinary care.
