THE FUTURE OF FIRST AID TRAINING (UPDATE 6)

THE FUTURE OF FIRST AID TRAINING (UPDATE 6)

31 March 2020

Today is the day that many First Aid Training Providers feared arriving, as Notice 1028 dated 05 October 2018 (Government Gazette 41955), comes into effect.

First Aid Levels 1, 2 and 3 will now be replaced by Unit Standard Training going forward, as the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has designated the quality assurance responsibilities for First Aid unit standards to the Quality Council for Trade and Occupation (QCTO).

Is this the end of the road?

As you are all aware Saiosh through SHASTAC has been actively engaging with both the QCTO and with the Chief Inspector, Mr Tibor Szana, on the matter of First Aid Training and other occupational regulatory training. On the 02 March 2020, the Revised Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) Policy was published in the Government Gazette (No 43062) which opened the path to address regulatory training programmes. From this Policy document Saiosh applied immediately to the QCTO to become a Quality Assurance Partner (QAP) for various short Occupational Health and Safety Skills Courses/ Programmes in terms of section 5.6.2.2 of the OQSF policy. With the OQSF policy being published and our own research into the number of learners being uploaded to the SAQA NRLD, Saiosh on the 08 March 2020, applied for a Section 40 exemption on behalf of industry in terms of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993). This exemption letter was received and acknowledged by Mr Szana’s office.

The country is currently facing the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown of South Africa, as a result Mr Szana’s attention was directed at emergency regulations to address the emergency (this have been distributed by Saiosh). Mr Szana has been in communication with Neels Nortje (Saiosh CEO) and has indicated that he will attend to the matter. Thus, we will hopefully have updated news regarding the Section 40 Exemption in the near future.

Stay safe! Remain at home (if you can) and wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Graham Pearson
Chairperson: Saiosh Health and Safety Training Advisory Committee (SHASTAC)

"Saiosh - Keeping You Informed"