Many employees concerned over lack of first aiders in the workplace

A new survey has revealed that around a third of employees are anxious about the lack of first aiders in their place of work.

This research has been released as part of the Save a Life September campaign, launched by St John Ambulance.

A lack of first aid training in the workplace

The anxiety workers are feeling around the lack of first aid is not unfounded, considering that 29% of employees say they’ve witnessed a time when there wasn’t a first aid-trained staff member in their workplace.

Of those who are first aid trained, 43% reported being the only person on site with these skills. This means that should there have been an accident or emergency, there wouldn’t have been anyone available to help them.

The survey also found that nearly a quarter of the workforce has never had any first aid training at all, and of those who are trained, 22% have skills that are more than five years old, meaning that they may have either forgotten these skills or have outdated qualifications.

St John Ambulance first aid training advice for employers

A significant first aid skills gap has been highlighted across all sectors, and this puts employees in both physical and psychological danger, according to St John Ambulance. 

Commenting on the report, Lisa Sharman, National Head of Education and Commercial Training at St John Ambulance, said, “Inconsistencies in working patterns, hybrid working, and a lack of trained first aiders mean that employees are left at risk of not having any life-saving support in a crisis.

“Building life-saving skills within the workplace not only ensures people can act quickly and confidently, but also helps all employees feel safe at work. This Save a Life September, we’re urging employers to provide up-to-date, practical first aid training to show staff they care.

“Even if your workplace seems low-risk – like an office – accidents and emergencies still happen – choking, slips, allergic reactions, or even serious unexpected situations like terrorist attacks or natural disasters. Having multiple trained first aiders is an important safety measure that will protect both colleagues and the business. Plus, if an employee is harmed due to a lack of first aid provision, the employer may face legal action, fines or prosecution.”

To find out more about contracting, please contact Jaime on 01442 795 100 or email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.