Why is First Aid training in the workplace so important in 2024?

The need for competent and confident first-aiders in the workplace has become increasingly accepted in recent years.

Legislation such as the The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 states that every employer in the UK needs to take steps to ensure the safety of their employees. This can include keeping a fully-stocked first aid kit on premises or having at least one trained first-aider

While a first aider may be required in every place of work by law, why is it important to also have someone trained in CPR in every workplace?

Overall team safety

Implementing quality first aid training across a business helps to create a safer working environment, with fewer accidents and effective responses when an accident does happen.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 561,000 people in the UK suffered an injury at work across 2022-2023. Having members of the team ready to administer first aid, and being aware of common workplace risks contributes to reducing this number.

Keeping casualty stable

If a member of staff experiences a medical emergency at work the initial response may be to call an ambulance, but this may not be enough. If someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest or not breathing, time is of the essence and they may not be able to wait for paramedics to arrive.

Having a member of the team begin administering CPR immediately will ensure that blood and oxygen continues to circulate around the body and vital organs until paramedics arrive. This prevents the very real risk of permanent brain damage due to oxygen starvation.

Staff confidence

One of the barriers facing the implementation of effective first aid is a lack of confidence among the general population in carrying out first aid and CPR. It’s not uncommon for someone to ‘freeze up’ or not act in the moment due to not being confident in their first aid ability or knowledge.

Ensuring that employers provide quality, engaging training regularly enables members of staff to gain the skills needed to save a life, and be confident in their abilities if emergencies do arise.

Make your workplace a safer environment with Imperative

Imperative is one of the UK’s leading training centres, supplying more than 22,000 learners each year with the skills, knowledge and confidence to save a life.

As we are a TQUK Diamond Approved Centre, training provided by Imperative is of the highest standard possible.

Call us on 0161 776 7420 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. learn how we can support you in making your workplace safer for everyone.