All business owners and managers have an obligation to keep the workplace safe. To do this involves three basic elements: steps to prevent or minimize accidents, adequate first aid supplies and proper first aid and cpr training.
Every employer should provide training to make sure its employees know what to do, how to do it and who is in charge in case a first aid or emergency situation occurs.
Proper first aid training not only satisfies provincial requirements, but fosters good will among employees, who recognize the care that their company expends to provide a safe and healthy environment for its most valuable asset: its employees.
Whether employees work in a high-hazard or low-hazard environment, they face a variety of risks. Shock, bleeding, poisonings, burns, temperature extremes, musculoskeletal injuries, bites and stings, medical emergencies and distressed employees in confined spaces are just a sampling of the first aid emergencies which might be encountered in your business.
These risks are compounded when employees don’t feel well. Their lack of concentration can result in costly injuries.
If your employees aren’t prepared to handle these types of injuries on all shifts and their coworkers are left untreated until an ambulance arrives, a victim’s condition may worsen and injuries can become far more debilitating, which leads to greater medical costs and lost productivity.
It makes good business sense to provide first aid and appropriate workplace safety training to all your employees. By making such a minimal investment in keeping your employees safe and well-trained, you could net big returns, along with a competitive advantage. Moreover, it’s the law.
While safety always begins with prevention, not every work-related injury can be prevented. Your primary first aid course goal should be to give employees the necessary tools and information they need to care for an ill or injured person, if necessary, until advanced help arrives.
While starting a workplace safety and first aid program can be simple and inexpensive, it involves several essential steps:
- Recognize that it’s your responsibility as an employer to provide an approved First Aid and CPR program
- Assess the location and availability of a medical facility to your workplace
- Make sure you have suitable first aid supplies readily available at all times
- Conduct on-site safety inspections, review of hazards and emergency dispatch, assessment, implementation, escape and treatment should be discussed in your training program
Since people tend to forget their first aid training over time, FAST Rescue recommends refresher training be conducted to recharge employees’ knowledge of first aid and CPR procedures. Employees should be certified to perform CPR and first aid. If such training sounds burdensome, consider that it can produce safer work practices and fewer incidents among employees.
About F.A.S.T. Rescue
F.A.S.T. Rescue are health and safety experts offering consulting, supplies and training solutions that help make employees safe in the workplace. We’re passionate about health and safety, offering unrivalled value and solutions with a satisfaction guarantee. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
For more information, contact:
Shyamala Nathan-Turner
F.A.S.T. Rescue
Tel: 647-494-0032
Email: [email protected]
Visit https://fast-rescue.com
You know what? You’re totally right when you said that requiring first aid and CPR training in the workplace can help prevent minor injuries from getting worse. My husband’s boos has been wondering if such activity is necessary since they work in a regular office setting. I’ll ask him to consider this information so they can refer to an expert later.
I agree when you said that whether employees work in a high-hazard or low-hazard environment, they face a variety of risks. My brother owns a business and wants all his employees to have basic first aid training. Thanks for the benefits of providing your employees with first aid training and I will definitely share this article with my brother.