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OSHA has issued its “Best
Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program,” a
new guide to help employers and employees develop workplace first
aid programs.
“A workplace first-aid program is a key component of any
comprehensive safety and health management system,” said OSHA
Administrator Ed Foulke. “Our new guide offers practical information
on how to help employers plan and implement first aid programs as
well as effective training.”
The new guide identifies four essential elements for first-aid
programs to be effective and successful:
• Management leadership and employee involvement;
• Worksite analysis;
• Hazard prevention and control; and
• Safety and health training.
The guide details the primary components of a first-aid program at
the workplace. Those elements include:
• Identifying and assessing workplace risks;
• Designing a program that is specific to the worksite and complies
with OSHA first-aid
requirements;
• Instructing all workers about the program, including what to do if
a coworker is injured or ill. Policies and program should be in
writing; and
• Evaluating and modifying the program to keep it current, including
regular assessment of the first-aid training course.
The guide also includes best practices for planning and conducting
safe and effective first-aid training. OSHA recommends that training
courses include instruction in general and workplace hazard-specific
knowledge and skills, incorporating automated external defibrillator
(AED) training into CPR training if an AED is available at the work
site, and periodically repeating first aid training to help maintain
and update knowledge and skills.
First aid is emergency care provided for injury or sudden illness
before emergency medical treatment is available. The first-aid
provider in the workplace is someone who is trained in the delivery
of initial medical emergency procedures, using a limited amount of
equipment to perform a primary assessment and intervention while
awaiting arrival of emergency medical service (EMS) personnel.
The purpose of the guide is to present a summary of the basic
elements for a first aid program at the workplace. Those elements
include: Identifying and assessing the workplace risks that have
potential to cause worker injury or illness; and designing and
implementing first-aid program that:
• Aims to minimize the outcome of accidents or exposures;
• Complies with OSHA requirements relating to first aid;
• Includes sufficient quantities of appropriate and readily
accessible first-aid supplies and first-aid equipment, such as
bandages and automated external defibrillators; and
• Assigns and trains first-aid providers who receive first-aid
training suitable to the specific workplace; receive periodic
refresher courses on first-aid skills and knowledge; instruct all
workers about the
first-aid program, including what workers should do if a coworker is
injured or ill.
It is advisable for the employer to give a specific person the
responsibility of choosing the types and amounts of first-aid
supplies and for maintaining these supplies.
The supplies should be adequate, should reflect the kinds of
injuries that occur, and should be stored in an area where they are
readily available for emergency access. An automated external
defibrillator (AED) should be considered when selecting first aid
supplies and equipment.
A specific example of the minimal contents of a workplace first-aid
kit is described in American National Standards Institute ANSI
Z308.1-2003, “Minimum Requirements for Workplace First
Aid Kits.”
The kits described are suitable for small businesses. For large
operations, employers should determine how many first-aid kits are
needed, and if it is appropriate to augment the kits with additional
first-aid equipment and supplies.
Employers who have unique or changing first-aid needs should
consider upgrading their first-aid kits. The employer can use the
OSHA 300 log, OSHA 301 reports or other records to identify the
first-aid supply needs of their worksite. Consultation with the
local fire and rescue service or emergency medical professionals may
be beneficial. By assessing the specific needs of their workplaces,
employers can ensure the availability of adequate first-aid
supplies.
Employers should periodically reassess the demand for these supplies
and adjust their inventories.
Automated External Defibrillators
With recent advances in technology, automated external
defibrillators (AEDs) are now widely available, safe, effective,
portable and easy to use. They provide the critical and necessary
treatment for sudden
cardiac arrest (SCA) caused by ventricular fibrillation, the
uncoordinated beating of the heart leading to collapse and death.
Using AEDs as soon as possible after sudden cardiac arrest, within
three to four minutes, can lead to a 60 percent survival rate. CPR
is of value because it supports the circulation and ventilation of
the victim until an electric shock delivered by an AED can restore
the fibrillating heart to normal.
All worksites are potential candidates for AED programs because of
the possibility of SCA and the need for timely defibrillation.
Each workplace should assess its own requirements for an AED program
as part of its first-aid response. A number of issues should be
considered in setting up a worksite AED program:
physician oversight; compliance with local, state and federal
regulations; coordination
with local EMS; a quality assurance program; and a periodic review,
among others.
First-Aid Courses
Training for first aid is offered by the American Heart Association,
the American Red Cross, the National Safety Council, and other
nationally recognized and private educational organizations. OSHA
does not teach first-aid courses or certify first-aid training
courses for instructors or trainees.
First-aid courses should be individualized to the needs of the
workplace. Some of the noted program elements may be optional for a
particular plant or facility.
On the other hand, unique conditions at a specific worksite may
necessitate the addition of customized elements to a first aid
training program.
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