A third of employees anxious over lack of first aiders at work, research reveals

A third of employees were anxious about the lack of trained first aiders at work, research from health charity St John Ambulance found.

Almost three in 10 (29%) employees said there had been times when no one at their workplace was first aid trained. 

Over two in five (43%) of those with first aid training said they were the only person on site with those skills, leaving no one to help them if they had an accident or emergency.

The study, released as St John Ambulance launched its Save a Life September campaign, found a widespread skills gap across all sectors. 

Nearly a quarter (22%) of staff had never had any first aid training, and over a fifth (22%) of those who had were relying on skills more than five years old.

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.”