Why First Aid Training is Critical for Freight, Logistics & Manufacturing Businesses in Southampton and Portsmouth
Southampton and Portsmouth are thriving hubs for freight, logistics, and manufacturing across the south coast of England. With the Port of Southampton being one of the UK’s busiest deep-water ports and Portsmouth home to a growing network of industrial parks and transport links, the region sees a high volume of activity every day—forklifts, HGVs, warehouse staff, and production lines all working in unison to keep goods moving.
But with that activity comes risk.
The Hard-Hitting Facts: Accidents in Freight & Logistics
Every year, there are over 5000 accidents involving transport in the workplace. About 50 of these result in people being killed (www.hse.gov.uk/statistics). The main causes of injury are people falling off vehicles, or being struck or crushed by them According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in the 2009/10 work year alone, accidents caused by moving lorries in the workplace led to:
2 deaths
79 major injuries
249 over-3-day injuries to employees in the ‘freight by road’ sector.
These included serious incidents such as:
Drivers being crushed while coupling trailers
Workers being hit by forklifts or lorries while out of their cabs
Individuals being crushed by reversing vehicles
Any business involved in freight, logistics, or manufacturing knows the fast-paced, high-pressure environment that workers operate in—and how quickly something can go wrong.
The Role of First Aid in High-Risk Workplaces
When accidents happen, the first few minutes are often the most critical. Immediate first aid can:
Save lives in the event of serious trauma or cardiac arrest
Reduce the severity of injuries, supporting quicker recoveries and fewer long-term issues
Demonstrate your company’s commitment to employee wellbeing and HSE compliance
Minimise downtime and disruption to operations
In short, it’s not just a box to tick—it’s a core part of operational resilience.
Local Training, National Standards
At First Steps First Aid Ltd, we specialise in high-quality, hands-on first aid training that’s tailored to the specific needs of your industry. We’ve worked with businesses across Hampshire, and we understand the fast-moving environments in Southampton docks, Portsmouth’s warehouses, and the surrounding industrial zones.
Our trainers bring a wealth of front line paramedic experience so we don’t just deliver courses; we prepare your team for the real world. From Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) to First Aid at Work (FAW), we offer flexible training options that are engaging, practical, and fully HSE compliant. All courses are regulated and certified by the First Aid Industry Body (FAIB)
And we know every business is different. Whether you’re running a busy logistics depot near the M27 or a production floor in Fareham, we can adapt our approach to suit your environment and workforce.
Why Businesses in Southampton & Portsmouth Choose Us:
✅ Affordable, premium-quality training
✅ Flexible group bookings and onsite delivery
✅ Trainers with real-life emergency response experience
✅ Trusted by local businesses across Hampshire
✅ Rated 5* Excellent on Trust Pilot
Protect Your Team, Protect Your Business
It only takes one incident to highlight the value of first aid training. Don’t wait for that moment. For more information on preventing workplace transport incidents - view the HSE’s Workplace Transport Safety Leaflet
If you’re a business operating in freight, logistics or manufacturing in Southampton, Portsmouth or anywhere in Hampshire, get in touch with First Steps First Aid Ltd. We’ll work with you to build a training package that keeps your workforce confident, compliant, and ready to respond when it matters most.
📞 Call us today or drop us a message at Info@firststepsfirstaid.co.uk to find out more. Your people deserve to be protected by the best.
First Steps First Aid Ltd – Practical. Professional. Prepared.
