First aid training is vital in construction industry

Emergency first aid training is vital in the construction industry. After all, workers in this sector are subject to various risks and when accidents occur, it is important that there are people around who have the skills and knowledge to respond effectively. These days, it is easy for managers to book emergency first aid courses for their personnel.

The issue of construction safety has been in the spotlight. Figures released recently by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that in 2011-12, a total of 49 construction workers lost their lives while performing their roles. This was one fewer than the total recorded during the previous 12-month period.

However, the number of workers in the sector also fell. In 2011, the number of construction workers dropped by 71,000.

Responding to the HSE statistics, Steve Murphy, general secretary of UCATT, said: “No one should consider the latest construction fatality figures to be good news in anyway. Deaths remain far too high, especially given the declining number of people working in the industry. Each and every death results in a family being left devastated when a loved one is killed.”

He added: “Sadly all the indicators are that as the construction industry recovers deaths are likely to increase substantially. Rather than cutting back on the limited safety provisions that currently exist in the construction industry, the government should be concentrating their energies on ensuring the safety of workers.”

Bosses who want to raise safety levels within their organisations may be keen to book emergency first aid training for their staff members.

When the relevant personnel have been on emergency first aid courses, the risks to workers’ health can be controlled more effectively. There are a number of different courses for people to choose from, ranging from full versions to refresher sessions.

Among the issues covered on these training programmes are treatments for injuries and illnesses, the use of equipment and the recording of incidents.