By Hans Stacey 19/02/2019

Under: Team Welfare / Incident Response

Do We Need to Train Employees to Use Workplace Defibrillators?

In today’s blog, we’re going to answer a common question we often hear about workplace defibs: Will we need to provide training for staff on how to use the equipment once installed? 

What Does the Law Say?

When it comes to the legal position on defibrillators themselves, the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 make no specific provision for AEDs. The HSE position is that they should be provided if a risk assessment identifies them as necessary.

Training in the use of AEDs is more complex. The Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply and the employer should provide information and written instructions (which could be from the manufacturer) on how to use the AED.  There is, however, no specific detail on providing additional training. This is because AEDs guide users through the defibrillation process and are intended to be usable by any untrained bystander. Formal training on how to use AEDs is not therefore expressly required by law, but it is highly advisable. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states:

“Employers should provide information and written instructions, for example from the manufacturer of the AED, on how to use it. Fuller training, however, is likely to make the user more confident and is now an integral part of the syllabus for FAW and EFAW courses”.

Training for Confidence

As we’ve seen, training is not a legal requirement. It is, however, likely to increase confidence, which is why we recommend it. Training helps team members identify a SCA and familiarises them with the defibrillation process. This helps employees stay calm and focussed should an emergency situation arise.

Offering additional training to staff comes with a caveat: if additional training is given, there should be no restriction placed on untrained persons using an AED in an emergency. This must be clearly communicated. Time is critical when an individual has gone into cardiac arrest: administration of a defibrillator shock will have more chance of success if is delivered speedily. Waiting for a trained member of staff does much more harm than good.

First Aiders

Defibrillation is now on the syllabus for First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work courses. Your recently trained first aiders will therefore already received AED training. 

To talk to one of our Safety Champions about investing in a defibrillator or defibrillator training for your team call: 0333 003 5710. 

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