New research from the British Red Cross has revealed that only 57% of office workers know where their first aid kit is at work. By contrast 86% people know where their first aid kit at home is.
Amanda Jenkins, Head of PR at the Red Cross, said, "Accidents do happen in the workplace. In 2006/7 over 150,000 injuries were reported and 9 million working days were lost due to workplace injury. At the very least, every worker should know where their first aid kit is located and who their first aider is."
The research also shows that office workers have limited knowledge of how to treat minor injuries, with over 55% stating that they have never received any form of first aid training whatsoever, amongst these only 34% of women had received some form of training as opposed to 56% of men.
Other information from the survey reveals: • That for those who do have knowledge of first aid, the workplace is the key source. People who have experienced first aid training experienced it at: 1. Work - 77% 2. Youth group - 16% 3. College - 7% • There is a strong interest in being trained - 73% of people would attend a first aid at work course if their employer offered them attendance at a free course • 33% of people do not know who their first aider is at work • 57% of people would know what to do with someone with heavy bleeding • 42% would know how to deal with someone in shock after an accident • 50% would know how to deal with a sprain caused by a trip or fall.
Jenkins added, "People evidently want to have the skills to enable them to help in an incident and employers should react to this. First aid is more than a certificate to meet an employer's legal obligations. It demonstrates the employer's commitment to the well-being of their employees and for the first aider it is a development skill that builds confidence and motivation."
The HSE is currently promoting the business benefits of better health and safety in the workplace, including a "better business booklet". Effective first aid cover forms a key part of an effective health and safety policy; benefits include lower rates of lost working time, better staff morale and lower compensation risks.
(Courtesy The People Bulletin)