First aid training for security officers: SIA decision process
Published 5 October 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
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1. Request
I would like to know what engagement has been held with insurance underwriters regarding the decision to give all security officers first aid training. What risk clarification has been discussed and considered? If this hasn’t been undertaken, I would like to see the communication surrounding this decision and ultimately what led to the decision to give security officers a one day first aid course.
2. Response
I confirm that the SIA holds the information that you have requested and the response can be found below.
The SIA has from time to time had engagement with insurance firms, mainly regarding premiums for activity and potential recognition of the Approved Contractor Scheme.
There has been no specific engagement with insurers on the issue of the training required for licence-linked qualifications. It is important to note that the training does not alter any of the liabilities or responsibilities that security businesses or venues have. The training does not mean that all security operatives, for example, are required to become nominated first aiders.
I attach the following documents which document the decision to introduce Emergency First Aid at Work as a pre-requisite to licence-linked qualifications:
- SIA parameters of Emergency First Aid at Work pre-requisite
- SIA parameters for accepting Emergency First Aid at Work certificates as a pre-requisite to licence-linked qualifications
- Follow up to ‘SIA parameters for accepting Emergency First Aid at Work certificates as a pre-requisite to licence-linked qualifications’
- Draft SIA EFAW policy, January 2021
- Equality Impact Assessment - SISQR project
- Options to consider: first aid
- SISQR project briefing note - a document recommending the approach the SIA should take to check Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certification for licence applicants
[Reference: FOI 0278]