Latest news

STOP PRESS: LEVEL 3 and Second level 2 Train to Gain
We are pleased to be able to announce that we are able to offer funded Level 3 qualifications in London and East fo England together with second level 2's. For more details - please contact the office

Short Courses:
We are able to offer funded places (subject to eligibility) for all our short and health and safety courses. Contact Amanda at the office for more details

TSIF Funding 08-09
Do you want to get £70 per unit towards NVQ Level 3 or above.
If so, please call Darren on 08452008536

Staff Vacancies
NVQ Assessor/Trainers in Adult Care and CCLD and Health and Safety.
Click on staff vacancies for job description and application form

JemCare finalist in Hertfordshire business awards
We were finalists for three awards at the recent Business Excellence awards 2007 hosted by North Hertfordshire College. These included: Best Employer for Motivating and Rewarding its workforce through training;Best employer for continuous improvement and Best employer for company training

Matrix Accrediation
We are pleased to be able to announce that JemCare gained Matrix accreditation for our information, advice and guidance services.

Skills Pledge
JemCare has signed the skills pledge

JemCare Training Ltd
Churchill House
Stirling Way
Borehamwood
Herts
WD6 2HP

Tel: 0845 200 8536
Fax: 020 8736 0535
Email:enquiries@jemcare.net

Health & Safety

First Aid

First Aid, put simply, is the immediate action taken in an emergency. It can stop a condition from worsening, encourage recovery and even save a life. It is an invaluable aspect of any working environment or indeed any life situation where an accident or sudden illness can occur.

First Aid in the Workplace

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work.

The minimum first aid provision in any workplace is:

  • Having a first-aid box containing the right equipment
  • Having a person appointed to oversee first aid provision

Remember this applies to all workplaces including those with five or fewer employees, and to the self-employed.

It is important that employers have made arrangements to ensure that, if necessary, staff can receive immediate First Aid in the workplace. This includes providing the right equipment and staff to monitor supplies of this equipment. Having competent First Aiders in the workplace can lessen the threat of any dangerous situation and literally mean the difference between life and death.

Remember that accidents can happen at any time and so first aid provision needs to be available at all times.

Appointed Person

An Appointed Person is the person who is assigned to take charge of First Aid. This means taking control when someone is ill or injured, including calling 999. They are responsible for First Aid equipment and keeping boxes stocked up. An Appointed Person should be available at all times, so it may be necessary to appoint more than one to cover the workplace fully.

JemCare Training Team offers Appointed Person courses to help the delegate learn about their role and become trained in important life saving skills and techniques that can help to increase their effectiveness in an emergency. Appointed Persons should not attempt to give First Aid for which they have not been trained.

First Aider

A First Aider is a person who has successfully attended a 4 Day First Aid At Work training course and who holds a current First Aid at Work certificate. This training can be obtained from JemCare Training Team as we are an HSE Approved organisation. (Certificate No: 113/00). More than one First Aider may be needed but a First Aider can undertake the duties of an Appointed Person. Remember as your business grows you may need to reassess the number of First Aiders required.

What First Aid training do you need?

Look at the list below to see whether you need more than the minimum First Aid provision (i.e. a first aid box and someone to maintain this box)

  • If you have 5 or more employees you need to make an assessment of significant risks in your workplace.
    If there are significant risks then First Aiders may be needed
  • Are there any specific risks, for example: dangerous equipment, hazardous substances?
    You will need to consider specific training for First Aiders and possibly extra First Aid equipment placed in the right position.
  • What patterns can be shown by the records of accidents and illness?
    This may affect where First Aiders and equipment are located and what type of First Aid equipment you have.
  • How many people are working on-site?
    This can affect whether or not First Aiders are needed and if so how many should be available on-site.
  • Does anyone who works on site have a disability or health problem?
    You may need more qualified First Aiders or special equipment sited in the correct place.
  • Does the organisation have a number of sites or numerous floors?
    You will need to consider provision in each building or on several of the floors.
  • Do employees do shifts or out-of-hours working?
    Remember First Aid facilities need to be available all the time when people are at work.
  • Is the workplace some distance away from emergency medical services?
    Medical services will need to be informed of your location and you may need to make special arrangements with the emergency services.
  • Do some of your employees travel extensively or work on their own?
    Personal First Aid kits and mobile phones may need to be issued.
  • Do any employees work at sites shared by other employers?
    You will need to discuss provision with the other employers.
  • Do you have any trainees on work experience?
    They will still need to be protected by your First Aiders and/or equipment.
  • Do members of the public visit the premises?
    You have no legal responsibilities for the public regarding First Aid but the HSE recommends that you include them in your First Aid provision.

How many First Aiders or Appointed Persons do I need?

The number of First Aiders and Appointed Persons required depends on the workplace. The following table may help when deciding on the risks in your organisation and the relevant number of First Aid personnel required. The information in the table is not a legal requirement but illustrates suggestions offered by the HSE to help you decide:

Category of Risk Numbers employed at any one location Suggested Number of First Aid Personnel
Lower Risk fewer than 50 at least one Appointed Person
50-100 at least one First Aider
more than 100

one additional First Aider for every 100 employed

Medium Risk fewer than 20 at least one Appointed Person
20-100 at least one First Aider for every
50 employed
more than 100 one additional First Aider for every 100 employed
Higher Risk fewer than 5 at least one Appointed Person
5-50 at least one First Aider
more than 50 one additional First Aider for every 50 employed
(from First Aid At Work: Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, HSE Books)

Informing Employees

It is vital that everyone in the building knows where the first aid equipment is located and who is first aid trained. This can be advertised by displaying easy to understand first aid notices in effective locations. New staff should be informed of first aid procedures during induction training and remember to make special arrangements for those who have reading or language difficulties.