SAFETY SOLUTIONS: First Aid Program

Workplace accidents occur on many levels. They can be as minor as a simple skin abrasion to extreme severity such as loss of limb or life. In any given situation, in any given location, accidents can and will happen. The primary step in first aid is prevention. Whenever possible, dangers should be minimized or eliminated. OSHA 1910.151 mandates that “in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.” It is imperative that the first aid trained personnel be willing to administer treatment when necessary.

First aid supplies should also be readily available for any and all employees to access. American National Standard (ANSI) Z308.1-1998 “Minimum Requirements for Workplace First-aid Kits” has been established to ensure that the first aid supplies/kit that your facility meets minimal standards. As there is always a possibility of exposure to blood borne pathogens due to injury, appropriate personal protective equipment should be available and kept in close proximity to all first aid supplies. Latex-free gloves in a variety of sizes should be the minimal amount of protective equipment available to any person providing first aid.

In addition to having trained designated first aid staff, an emergency response protocol should be established to guide bystanders in assisting with the care of the injured. This protocol should include, but not limited to, emergency phone number contacts, chain of command within the company and evacuation plans (in the event that the accident is of grand scale or hazardous.)

Employers should have trained first aid staff willing to administer treatment as well as invest in having several CPR certified persons on/in the worksite. Companies may feel it costly to make an initial investment of purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) but should put intense consideration into acquiring an AED, if not multiple AEDs. Survival rates are as high as 90% if an AED is used correctly on a person suffering from sudden cardiac arrest.

Resources

Here are some additional resources of information on safety-related topics and programs:

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health

• www.cdc.gov/niosh

• www.ccohs.ca

• www.nsc.org

• www.asse.org

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