How to Establish an Effective First Aid Program in the Workplace
Workplace first aid refers to the urgent and temporary care provided to a person immediately following an injury.
According to a report published by the SafetyCulture website, first aid uses emergency measures to ensure an employee’s condition is stable while awaiting the arrival of a healthcare provider.
Although it does not replace specialized medical assistance, workplace first aid is essential for maintaining employee safety until they receive full medical care.
Therefore, workplace first aid is a fundamental part of any organization’s Health and Safety Management System for several reasons, including helping to save an employee’s life on site until specialized medical staff arrive.
For example, properly performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on someone experiencing cardiac arrest can significantly increase their chances of survival.
Elements of a Workplace First Aid Program:
A strong workplace first aid program rests on several key elements:
- Management and Employee Involvement:
Decisive leadership is critical for developing, implementing, and evaluating first aid policies and procedures. - Workplace Analysis:
In addition to ensuring compliance with relevant authorities, it is also important to clearly define the first aid requirements of the workplace. This can be achieved through a thorough assessment of operational processes to identify existing hazards and anticipate conditions that might expose employees to the risk of injuries resulting from slips, trips, and falls, as well as equipment and machinery use, hazardous chemical use, and workplace violence practices.
Hazard Prevention Measures: When designing workplace first aid programs, it is recommended to consider the following procedures:
Consult with emergency medical experts and first aid providers on best practices.
Evaluate control measure options using the hierarchy of controls.
Use a hazard control plan for the first aid program.
Assess hazards based on their type, severity, and probability of occurrence.
Provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities, and resources.
- First Aid Training:
First aid training is the final essential component of effective first aid programs. Therefore, when selecting first aid training providers, it is preferable to review the guidelines of local health and safety bodies. This ensures that the training program complies with workplace first aid laws and regulations.
