As UK plc returns to business after the holiday break, workplaces are encouraged to review and update their first aid procedures and practices.
St John Ambulance, which has been announcing that many businesses will be reopening this week for the first week of full work in the new year, stressed the need for organisations to take a holistic approach to workplace safety and first aid.
It has been emphasized that first aid is not just about treating injuries or illnesses or maintaining emergency kits. It is more important to integrate both physical and mental first aid holistically in order to keep workers safe.
It was revealed that between 2023 and 2024 in the UK, 33.7 million days of work were lost due to workplace illness or injury. Stress, depression or anxiety caused 16.4 million of these lost days of work (roughly half).
The report also noted that of the 21.6bn PS lost by businesses due to illness and injury at work in 2022-2023 7.1bn PS was lost because of injuries on the job, with ill health accounting for more than double of this amount.
Lisa Sharman is the head of commercial and education training at St John Ambulance. She said that workplaces who do not upgrade their first aid approach to include mental health first-aid and a focus mental wellbeing are in danger of failing to offer holistic care to their employees.
“First aid, both physical and psychological, is a key component of employee well-being – and it requires a more sophisticated business approach in 2025.”
A holistic workplace first-aid strategy combines physical health interventions with mental health support and preventative training.
Sharman said, “As the New Year begins, we call on organizations to adapt to improve employee resilience, reduce workplace incidents and enhance overall organisational health.”
