The construction industry is inherently hazardous, with workers frequently exposed to numerous risks. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), construction workers face an annual average of 79,000 non-fatal injuries and 22 fatal injuries in the UK alone. This highlights the critical importance of first aid training in this sector.
Common Injuries in Construction
Construction sites are rife with potential dangers, leading to various injuries. As reported by the HSE, the most common non-fatal injuries include slips, trips, and falls, accounting for 27% of all incidents between 2015 and 2019. Manual handling injuries were the most prevalent, making up 33% of non-fatal injuries, followed by being struck by moving objects at 17%.
Fatal injuries in construction are often due to falls from a height, which represent 31% of all fatalities. Workers are also at risk from moving vehicles and contact with machinery, which together account for a significant portion of workplace deaths. In 2019/2020 alone, 24 construction workers were fatally injured due to contact with moving machinery.
The Importance of Timely Medical Intervention
Timely medical intervention can be the difference between life and death in construction-related accidents. Immediate first aid can prevent minor injuries from becoming severe and stabilise more serious ones until professional medical help arrives. The HSE estimates that around 92% of all non-fatal injuries in construction result in seven or fewer days off work, suggesting that many workers return to work before fully recovering. This underscores the need for effective first aid training to ensure proper initial treatment and prevent complications.
Economic Impact of Injuries
The economic implications of injuries in the construction sector are substantial. Injuries and illnesses in this industry resulted in an estimated 3.5 million working days lost in 2019/2020, costing the industry approximately £1.6 billion. This financial burden highlights the importance of preventive measures, including comprehensive first aid training, to reduce the incidence and severity of workplace injuries.
Enhancing Safety Through Training
First aid training equips workers with the skills necessary to manage injuries on site effectively. More Than Training offers specialised courses tailored to the construction sector, ensuring workers are prepared to handle their unique challenges. Our training programs cover everything from basic first aid to advanced life-saving techniques, ensuring that every worker is equipped to respond in an emergency.
Some of our key first aid training courses include:
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW): This one-day course covers essential first aid skills, including managing an unconscious casualty, CPR, and treating minor injuries like cuts and burns. It’s ideal for smaller construction sites or as an introductory course.
- First Aid at Work (FAW): A comprehensive three-day course that provides in-depth knowledge of first aid, including dealing with significant illnesses and severe injuries and conducting effective incident management. This course is essential for more substantial construction sites with higher risks.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED): This course trains participants in the fundamental skills of life support, including the use of AEDs, which are critical in the event of sudden cardiac arrests on site.
First aid training is a regulatory requirement and a vital component of workplace safety in the construction sector. Investing in comprehensive first aid training is essential with the high risk of injuries and the significant economic impact of these incidents. By empowering workers with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to injuries, we can reduce severe injuries and fatalities, ultimately creating a safer working environment.
For more information on our training programs, visit More Than Training. Ensure your workplace is prepared—because in the construction industry, safety is more than just a priority; it’s a necessity.
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