Back to work, back to staff safety for firms in 2012

As the New Year begins and many people are returning to work after the festive break, it can be a challenging time for training managers across the country as they try to plan and organise their annual staff training schedule.

However, rather than letting managers fall prey to workplace stress or, worse, decide to forego essential training altogether, First Response Training have a vast selection of course dates already available at venues nationwide. A full calendar of training events can be provided to training managers to enable them to pick and choose their dates.

First Response operate over 20 training venues across the UK and run a number of public training courses, open to delegates from any organisation, every month of the year. They offer HSE-approved First Aid at Work courses, both qualifying and refresher, Emergency First Aid at Work and further health and safety training such as Fire Marshal and IOSH-accredited courses. First Response can also send trainers to any venue selected by an organisation to provide in-house training for their staff. They have an extensive and diverse list of in-house training courses available and would urge companies to call for further details.

Public courses are often the most economical way for companies to meet their legal requirements for training, as they do not need to free up large numbers of staff at one time, and prices start at just £49 per delegate. First Response can also offer additional savings for multiple bookings. Training events are available from January until December 2012, just call First Response on 0800 310 2300 now to book.

For in-house training, First Response can offer great deals when multiple courses are booked in one day and can help managers to plan their full schedules, always working to the client’s requirements, and are able to plan up to 12 months in advance.

In these difficult economic times, both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) have repeatedly urged businesses to maintain staff health and safety training as a priority for their company. Figures suggest that a sensible, proportionate approach to health and safety, which includes proper training, can actually help businesses to save thousands of pounds every year. All companies must comply with health and safety regulations and can face prosecution and costly litigation proceedings if they don’t.

However, the message from First Response’s Managing Director, Perry Leeks, is not to worry: “Lots of myths are banded about in the media about health and safety, and this can cause a lot of anxiety and frustration for companies. The truth is that health and safety compliance does not need to be a nightmare, and does not need to cost the earth, it’s just about being sensible.

"The regulations are there to keep people safe, it’s as simple as that, and good health and safety training can help to take the mystery out of the regulations.

"We always focus on bringing our clients the best value for money possible and will continue to offer the best deals for businesses, in terms of finance and safety, in 2012.”