British Red Cross adds to training team

Due to the introduction of strict new health and safety laws in January, British Red Cross First Aid Training has been urging businesses not to let cost cutting affect their level of training provision. The Health and Safety (Offences) Act is due to come into effect on January 16th 2009 and promises to make the penalties for lapses in health and safety at work much more serious, both for companies and individuals.

To demonstrate their commitment to helping organisations meet their legal obligations, British Red Cross First Aid Training has added to their number of experts delivering First Aid at Work courses. The additional trainers will be based in the Red Cross' flagship venue at London Euston and will be dedicated to providing in house training for businesses.

Gary Betreen, Training Resource Manager for the Red Cross explains, "The new training resource that we have added will significantly speed up the process for companies who want to book in house training and will help to guarantee that this training can be completed on the date they request."

Booking a trainer to deliver first aid and health and safety courses on site provides the combined benefits of familiar surroundings and a reduced burden on business by releasing staff to attend external venues. In addition, it offers a cost effective way to ensure your training needs are met, with large savings available on the costs of paying per person.

Official statistics show that during the period 2007/08 a total of 229 workers were killed at work and 299,000 sustained reportable injuries. The HSE also report that an astonishing 34 million working days were lost through injury and ill health, which equates to 1.4 days per worker.

The introduction of tougher penalties is aimed at reducing this number in 2009.

<sub>Notes to editors
British Red Cross First Aid Training website can be viewed at www.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk

The British Red Cross First Aid Training iBrochure is available at: http://redcross.trainingcourses.ibrochures.co.uk

Course bookings can be made by calling 0844 871 8000
 
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.

Contact
Lydia Mottershead
0161 888 8952
lmottershead@redcross.org.uk</sub>

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