Around six million working days are lost each year due to work-related, reportable injuries, according to a report.
The research, conducted by the Health and Safety Executive, also found that the average number of working days lost per injury has increased by 3 per cent in the last decade to 14.5 days, with the cost to UK organisations reaching £5 to £8 billion a year in lost work time.
In light of these findings, the British Red Cross is urging employers to consider increasing first aid training amongst their staff. All employers must meet the legal requirements set out in the 1981 Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations, which means that having appropriate equipment and first aid staff on the premises is imperative.
The amount of first aiders on site will depend on the nature and size of the organisation, for instance low risk premises such as shops or offices with 50 to 100 employees will require at least one first aider on site.
Amanda Jenkins of the British Red Cross said: “First aid training and updates can provide employers and employees with valuable benefits – far more than the reassurance that official obligations have been met.”
