If you employ more than 25 people at your workplace, WorkCover NSW requires you to have at least one person trained in First Aid.
WorkCover NSW now only recognises national units of competency instead of Certificates that are titled ‘First Aid' (FA) or ‘Occupational First Aid' (OFA) under the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001. Registered Training Organisations (RTO's) can only deliver national units of competency.
The national units of competency that are now recognised by WorkCover NSW are:
First Aid Course: Equivalent Unit of Competency
• HLTFA301B Apply First Aid
Occupational First Aid Course: Equivalent Unit/s of Competency
• HLTFA301B Apply First Aid
• HLTFA402B Apply Advanced First Aid
• HLTFA403A Manage First Aid in the Workplace.
WorkCover NSW will continue to be responsible for specifying the following employer First Aid responsibilities under the OHS Regulation 2001 (Chapter 2, Clause 20):
Since 30 June 2009, the only First Aid training that is recognised as approved by WorkCover NSW are the specified national units of competency (as above) delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTO's).
Registered training organisations in all States have commenced issuing statements of attainment for the above units of competency. Therefore, employers will notice a change in first aid certificates that are submitted.
Further information regarding First Aid competency units is available from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au, or from WorkCover's Strategic Licensing Assessment and Management Unit on 1800 855 969.
References: WorkCover Fact Sheet Information for employers "New First Aid Courses".
WorkCover NSW First Aid Course Transitional Arrangement FAQ.
deFaye College
Comment