As infection-related illnesses continue to impact UK workplaces, the importance of certified Infection Control Trainer training is gaining renewed urgency. Recent data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and NHS reveal that infections contracted at work remain a significant contributor to employee absenteeism and operational disruptions.
Workplace Infection Statistics Highlight Growing Concern
The HSE’s latest figures show that in 2023, there were approximately 20,000 reported cases of work-related infections across various sectors, with healthcare, manufacturing, and social care settings among the most affected. Additionally, the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded over 100,000 lost working days attributed to workplace-acquired infections in the same period.
“Infections in the workplace not only compromise employee health but also have a direct economic impact through lost productivity,” commented a workplace health expert familiar with the data. “Effective infection control measures and training are critical to mitigating these risks.”
Regulatory and Best Practice Drivers
UK health and safety legislation, including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, require employers to manage biological hazards responsibly. The HSE has emphasised that comprehensive infection control training forms a cornerstone of compliance and risk reduction strategies.
Furthermore, NHS England’s recent guidelines highlight the need for organisations to maintain high standards of infection prevention, particularly in post-pandemic recovery efforts. This has elevated the profile of dedicated infection control trainers within workplaces.
Training to Meet Demand: Infection Control Trainer Courses
Industry training providers are responding to this heightened demand by offering specialised courses to equip staff with essential skills. One such course is the Infection Control Trainer programme offered by Abertay Training, which is priced at £295 + VAT. The course is delivered either via live Zoom sessions or face-to-face across more than ten UK venues including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Belfast.
The course is designed to empower health and safety professionals, supervisors, and designated trainers to effectively manage infection control programmes, ensuring they can cascade up-to-date knowledge throughout their organisations.
“Investment in infection control training is no longer optional; it is a vital part of workplace health strategies,” said an industry analyst specialising in occupational health. “Courses like this address an acute need for qualified trainers who can lead on compliance and best practice.”
Looking Ahead
With workplace infection rates showing little sign of abating, the availability of targeted infection control training is poised to become an integral component of occupational safety frameworks. The combination of regulatory requirements, public health concerns, and economic impacts makes this training a timely investment.
Organisations interested in strengthening their infection prevention capabilities may find specialist Infection Control Trainer courses an effective way to meet both compliance and workforce wellbeing objectives.
For further information on course availability and venues, Abertay Training’s Infection Control Trainer course details can be found at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk/courses/infection-control-trainer.