Less than 60 per cent of workers know where the first aid kit is kept.

These are the worrying findings from the British Red Cross, leading providers of first aid products and first aid training for the workplace.

By contrast, as many as 86 per cent of people know where their first aid kit is at home, despite the fact that of those who have knowledge of first aid, 77 per cent gained that experience at work and there is a growing interest in the skills.

In addition, 73 per cent of people would attend a first aid at work course if their employers offered them attendance at a free course.

In further cause for concern, 33 per cent of people do not know who their first aider at work is, while just over half would know what to do with someone with heavy bleeding. A mere 42 per cent would know how to deal with someone in shock after an accident and half would know how to deal with a sprain caused by a trip or fall.

Amanda Jenkins, head of PR, commented: “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 per cent stating that they have never received any form of first aid training whatsoever.

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”.