Marvin OnumonuA 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.”
Sharman added: “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.”
The research found almost four out of five (79%) employees cared about their colleagues and said they went out of their way to help when they could.
Most common ways of helping included making a colleague laugh when they were stressed (43%), taking on extra work (39%), making tea or coffee (34%), covering for someone running late (32%), making them a birthday cake (14%) or swapping teams with them in the company sweepstake (10%).
She said: “From cups of tea to emotional support, employees have shown that they’re there for each other at work.
“But while many people want to help their colleagues in an emergency, not enough would know what to do.
“On average, employees make more than 10 cups of tea and coffee for colleagues each week.”
She added: “Over the course of the year that adds up to more than three full working days of tea-making, more time than it would take them to do a St John Ambulance first aid course, which will equip them with skills to help in all manner of crises, including cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, or choking.
“Getting first aid trained is one of the strongest, clearest actions a colleague can take to show they care – because it’s practical, life-saving, and puts others first.”
