Almost 30% of workers have never received first aid training, according to a recent survey carried out by Bull Products.
Bull Products, a manufacturer of life-saving fire protection equipment, carried out a first aid survey to address the issues within the construction industry, and what preventative measures companies need to put in place further to ensure a safer site all year round.
The survey was rolled out across the UK with responses from a range of job professions including health and safety managers, health and safety officers, site managers and supervisors.
The first aid survey also revealed that more than 50% of workers had not been trained to use a defibrillator, and 38% of workers said there was no defibrillator located on site.
Bradley Markham, director at Bull Products comments: “Every year in the UK, there are 114,000 reportable workplace injuries, and unfortunately the UK construction industry still accounts for a large number of fatal injuries. It’s an employer’s job to ensure first aid equipment is accessible on site, that adequate training is provided to workers, and that there are enough trained first aiders to help injured staff.
“If employees are fully trained, they will be aware of any potential hazards and will know how to respond in an emergency, which can often be the difference between a minor injury or a fatal injury.
“Workers on construction sites are faced with a number of dangers each day including electric hazards and falls from height, therefore the utmost protection should be provided including having access to a defibrillator. Although having a defibrillator on site is not currently enforced by law, almost half of all causalities are resuscitated with a defibrillator, and with every minute delay, a casualty’s chance of survival decreases by 10%. It’s equally important to ensure staff are fully trained on how to use and maintain deliberator equipment.”
Bull Products supplies a range of first aid equipment and defibrillators to ensure sites are protected when and where it matters the most. For more information, please visit www.bullproducts.co.uk