Welcome to our latest newsletter,

Oxford College of First Aid is a well-established and highly respected organisation providing a wide range of approved First Aid and Health and Safety related courses to individuals and organisations across the country.

Our goal is to keep you up to date with the latest developments in Health and Safety that may affect your business and we will also publish useful hints and tips, interesting stories and feature the occasional competition with prizes.

Many of our courses are tailored and presented in-house for specific companies, so if we can help you, please email us at info@ocfa.co.uk or call us on 01235 810619.

Jane Hoskin
Director
Oxford College of First Aid

BOOK OUR FIRST AID AT WORK TRAINING

Our First Aid at Work courses are ideal for individuals required by their employer to undertake the role of workplace first aider in compliance with Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations.

Our First Aid at Work is an 18 hour course, taking place over three days, and is for companies whose hazard risk assessment is deemed higher than "low hazard risk" companies - e.g. offices, shops, and libraries, for example are generally classed as low hazard risk.


"Higher-Hazard Risk" Description

The HSE describe "higher-hazard risk" companies as light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacture etc.

However, the HSE then "muddies the water" by asking all organisations to consider their own "individual hazards" and also other factors when determining their level of risk.

Schools Have "Individual Hazards"

Therefore, there is a strong argument that many schools fit into this higher-hazard criteria. The risk of a child falling and hitting their head in a playground incident or sustaining a sporting injury on the playing field is highly likely in many schools. Not to mention chemistry lessons, pushing and shoving, or an innocent teenage "prank" that goes wrong...

It is always wiser to avoid any doubt and ensure full compliance with the HSE by having enough employees trained at this higher level. If you are not sure whether your business is low or higher risk, please ring us for advice.

First Aid At Work Requalification

Our First Aid At Work Requalification course is a 12 hour course, taking place at the same location over two days, and is ideal for existing workplace first aiders who need to renew their qualifications in compliance with Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations.

Renewal is necessary after three years from initial qualification but an earlier refresher is always to be recommended.

And Finally...

Do please remember you need to train more than one member of staff to ensure cover at all times (Holiday, sickness etc). Certificates will be issued on successful completion of the courses.

We only have a few spaces left on these courses so book today to reserve your place.

First Aid at Work	Kidlington, Oxford	Tue  10/11/2015  Wed 11/11/2015  Thu  12/11/2015
First Aid at Work  Requalification	Kidlington, Oxford	Wed 11/11/2015  Thu  12/11/2015

We can also tailor these courses and present them "in-house" for your organisation so, if this would suit you better, please email us at info@ocfa.co.uk or call us on 01235 810619.

YOUNG CARERS COURSE IN THE OXFORD MAIL

It's actually quite a shock to discover how many children in our area are effectively behaving as carers for their adult relatives. So, when we were approached by the support charity, South and Vale, in partnership with The Guideposts Trust and asked to create a bespoke life-saving first aid training course for young carers, we naturally accepted.

We were delighted to help and about twenty 8 to 18 year-olds were recently trained at Abingdon Health and Wellbeing Centre in Crabtree Place.

Given the different age ranges, we were careful in the way we pitched the course material but, actually, we needn't have worried! OCFA's first aid instructor Emma Noakes said:

"I'm so impressed with the young carers. They are all responsible, respectful and without a selfish bone in their body, but are still children and haven't lost their childhood."

Please click here to read the whole story in The Oxford Mail.

If any other groups would like us to run first aid training courses for young people, please email us at info@ocfa.co.uk or call us on 01235 810619.

HINTS & TIPS: TREATING A BROKEN ANKLE

In this month's Hints and Tips, we are looking at what to do if you suspect that someone has broken their ankle.

The basic rule is that if you are not sure whether a bone is fractured, treat the injury as if it is and do NOT try to straighten or reposition the fractured limb.

Call for medical assistance and then follow the advice outlined below:

• Stop any bleeding by applying light pressure to the wound without causing further trauma
• Dress wounds before applying a splint or sling
• Splint the limb in the position you find it and try not to move the limb at all if possible
• Apply ice packs to help limit swelling and relieve pain
• Immobilise the injured area
• Treat for shock if necessary

For more information, see www.ocfa.co.uk or contact Jane Hoskin on 01235 810619.

WIN A MEAL FOR TWO AT BROWN'S

Congratulations to Mark Shaddick from Campion Hall at the University of Oxford, who correctly answered that Kevin Whately is the name of the actor who plays Robbie Lewis in the eponymous TV series. Mark wins a delicious Ben's Cookies Hamper as his prize.

This month, we have a £40 voucher for a meal for two at Brown's Oxford - an iconic Oxford landmark occupying nos 5-11 Woodstock Road, which is still as popular today as when it first opened!

To win this fabulous prize, simply answer the following question:

"In which year did Jeremy Mogford open his first Brown's Restaurant?"

Email your answer and contact details to Jane at: info@ocfa.co.uk and we'll draw one lucky winner from the correct answers on Friday 23rd October 2015.

ABOUT OXFORD COLLEGE OF FIRST AID

Oxford College of First Aid is a well-established and highly respected organisation providing a wide range of approved First Aid and Health and Safety related courses to individuals and organisations across the country. The College is an accredited centre of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and employs some of the best trainers in the industry.

In addition to the courses outlined on our website, our trainers also design bespoke courses to meet your specific requirements. Licensed by the Health and Safety Executive, our extensive selection of courses can also be held at your own premises.

Our highly qualified trainers, flexible approach and extremely competitive prices make us one of the principal providers of Health and Safety training across the country.

For more information, see www.ocfa.co.uk or contact Jane Hoskin on 01235 810619.

These national and international bodies have approved our courses: