Four questions to help businesses save lives
St John Ambulance has launched a campaign to help businesses
become first aid compliant.
Risky business
Failing to have a minimum number of trained first aiders in the
workplace is against the law. Yet four out of five
(79%) businesses admitted there had been occasions
when a trained first aider wasn't available, leaving them
open to legal, financial and reputational
risks. St John Ambulance is determined to change
this and has launched a campaign to help more companies become
first aid compliant.
The repercussions for non-compliance can be
immense. In 2010 there were over 1,100 cases of
businesses being taken to court because of health and
safety failings, resulting in fines for not having first
aiders present.
Take quick action
St John Ambulance is inviting businesses to
answer four simple questions at
www.sja.org.uk/survey to help determine
whether or not they are meeting statutory first aid
requirements. If results indicate companies risk fines or
legal action, the first aid organisation can provide advice and, if
necessary, professional workplace first aid training. Many
businesses have already taken the survey, and of those not legally
compliant some are swiftly taking steps to change
this.
'On any given day, first aiders might be
absent because of illness, holiday or training. Or there may not be
sufficient first aid cover because many companies
are not meeting the legal minimum in the first
place,' said Richard Evens, St John Ambulance's Director of
Training and Marketing.
This means that if someone has an injury and
is bleeding – or even has a heart attack – there may not
be anyone to provide the vital first aid that could be
the difference between life and death in an emergency.
'We are delighted with the take-up of our
survey so far and the fact that it has already
resulted in some businesses making positive
changes,' he said.
Put your business through the test
To complete the survey, go to www.sja.org.uk/survey. Alternatively, if you
would prefer to discuss your needs with a St John Ambulance
consultant call 0844 324 5535.