Member Article

Bradford city centre businesses get to grips with emergency First Aid

CUSTOMERS and business employees in need of emergency care in Bradford city centre have a better chance of receiving safe and effective First Aid thanks to new training sponsored by Bradford BID.

The Business Improvement District (BID) – the limited not-for-profit company funded by more than 600 levy-paying businesses and organisations to help promote and develop the city centre – is working with levy-paying businesses and Bradford At Night members to help provide free courses for staff who want to learn First Aid skills.

So far, businesses such as Perfect Fit, The Great Victoria Hotel, Boar and Fable, City Vaults, Tiffin Grande and Underground have put forward staff for training.

The Emergency First Aid At Work course is being run by Chapel Street-based GEM Compliance Training, a company which works to create safer workplaces and communities by providing fully regulated and properly certified training, ensuring businesses comply with all legal requirements.

BID business engagement officer Nikki Chadburn said: “It’s a fabulous course and we were thrilled to provide training for 18 people at our first event.

“The training was very successful. The people who took part were very impressed and grateful to the BID for providing the opportunity.

“We will be looking to arrange further courses soon.”

A spokesman for GEM said: “Our Emergency First Aid at Work Level 3 course is designed for individuals who wish to act as an emergency first aider in their workplace.

“Upon successful completion of this qualification, candidates are equipped with the essential skills needed to give safe, prompt and effective first aid in emergency situations.

“The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers to make arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.

“This includes carrying out a risk assessment, appointing a suitable amount of first aiders and providing appropriate first aid training.

“However, having the correct first aid provision in the workplace is not just a legal requirement, it is incredibly important for the safety of all members of staff.”

Topics covered on the course include: the roles and responsibilities of an emergency first aider; assessing an incident; managing an unresponsive casualty; CPR and defibrillation; recovery position; dealing with choking, seizures, shock, wounds and bleeding; minor injuries; cuts, grazes and bruises; and minor burns and scalds

Those who successfully complete the course are awarded a nationally-recognised Ofqual regulated certificate valid for three years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Perry Austin-Clarke .