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Office Safety Series, Part 5: Know First Aid, Know Workplace Safety!

Posted by Joshua Fleishman on Mon, Jul 08, 2013 @ 12:15 PM

To have or not have....that is the question.

Oh wait--no its not! When it comes to workplace first aid kits, the answer is HAVE! In fact, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a First Aid standard (29 CFR 1910.151) that requires trained first-aid providers at all workplaces of any size if there is no "infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees." And what is a band without its instruments? A first aid kit is a necessity for ANY workplace!

Before we jump too far into specifics of standards, first aid kits, and contents of, let us take a moment to discuss the full purpose of these items and how they fit into a workplace first aid program.

What is First Aid?

first aid training, office safety, workplace first aid kitsAs stated by OSHA, 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 services (EMS) personnel.

A workplace first aid program is part of a comprehensive safety and health management system that includes the following four essential elements.

  1. Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
  2. Worksite Analysis
  3. Hazard Prevention and Control
  4. Safety and Health Training

When designing and implementing a workplace first aid program remember to:

  • Aim to minimize the outcome of accidents or exposures.
  • Comply with OSHA requirements relating to first aid.
  • Include sufficient quantities of appropriate and readily accessible first aid supplies and first aid equipment (*cough* automated external defibrillators or 'AEDs' *cough*)
  • Assign and train first aid providers who:
    • receive first aid training suitable to the specific workplace.
    • receive periodic refresher courses on first aid skills and knowledge.

What's the Risk?

Let's talk numbers for a moment. In 2004, the private industry had 5,703 work-relatedworkplace first aid kits, office safety, supplies for first aid kits fatalities. That same year had 4.3 million total workplace injuries and illnesses, with 1.3 million resulting in days away from work.

Occupational illnesses, injuries and fatalities in 2004 cost the United States’ economy $142.2 billion, according to National Safety Council estimates. The average cost per occupational fatality in 2004 exceeded one million dollars.

To cover the costs to employers from workplace injuries, it has been calculated that each and every employee in this country would have had to generate $1,010 in revenue.

OSHA Requirements

In addition to first aid requirements of 29 CFR 1910.151, several OSHA standards also require training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because sudden cardiac arrest from asphyxiation, electrocution, or exertion may occur. CPR may keep the victim alive until EMS arrives to provide the next level of medical care.

If an employee is expected to render first aid as part of his or her job duties, the employee is covered by the requirements of the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). This standard includes specific training requirements.

Automated External Defibrillators

aed training, workplace safety, office first aid kits

As we are in 2013, AEDs are no longer just a tool used by non-medical personnel such as police, fire service personnel, flight attendants or security guards; these are potentially life-saving devices used by anyone trained to used them (and even then, there are some that ANYONE can use with no prior knowledge). The best part, these devices are now widely available, safe, effective, portable and just plain easy to use! Using AEDs as soon as possible after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), within 3-4 minutes, can lead to a 60% 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. Do not neglect to include AEDs in your workplace safety program, they can and WILL save lives!

What Goes in my Workplace First Aid Kit?

At this point, we should discuss what actual items should be included in a first aid kit. For this, we will reference the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard (ANSI Z308.1-2009) which was revised in 2009. This standard is the minimum fill for workplace first aid kits. The new changes in the standard brought two new items and eliminated latex from first aid kits altogether. Here are the ten items for a minimum workplace first aid kit fill.

  • (1) First Aid Guide
  • (1) Absorbent Compress 4"x8" minimum
  • (16) 1"x3" Adhesive Bandages
  • (1) Adhesive Tape 2.5 yard roll
  • (10) Antiseptic Treatment 0.9 grams
  • (6) Burn Treatment 0.9 grams
  • (4) 3"x3" Sterile Gauze Pads
  • (2) Pair Medical Exam Gloves
  • (1) Triangular Bandage 40"x40"x56" minimum
  • (6) Antibiotic Ointment 0.5 grams

The following are not required, but recommended items:

  • Analgesic (oral, non-drowsy formula)
  • Bandage Compress 2"x2" minimum
  • Breathing Barrier (single-use)
  • Burn Dressing 12 sq. in.
  • Cold Pack 4"x5" minimum
  • Eye Covering 1/4" thick minimum
  • Eye/Face Wash (Sterile) 4 oz. minimum
  • Roller Bandage 2"x4" yards minimum
  • Hand Sanitizer

The above required kits may be suitable for your company. However, keep in mind, that more adequate means may be necessary for certain hazards of individual work environments. This may be evaluated by a competent person in your workplace, or by another safety professional. Safety Training services, Inc. is available for said service and our safety professionals provide free "walkthroughs" of your workplace and will help prescribe a first aid kits modeled to your workplaces' individual hazards and/or needs.

Training

OSHA recommends 5 key elements in a first aid training program for the workplace. 

  1. AED training, aed training chicago, first aid kit training, first aid training services"Hands-on," skill based teaching methods.
  2. Instruction and discussion in preparing to respond to a health emergency with an emphasis on prevention as a strategy.
  3. Including logical and well-informed assessment of the scene and victims.
  4. Designed and adapted for the specific workplace in responding to life-threatening emergencies.
  5. Designed and adapted for the specific workplace in responding to non-life-threatening emergencies including management of wounds, burns, bites/stings, and bodily injuries.

Always make sure to keep updated on proper first aid requirements and trainings. The first aid program should be reviewed periodically to determine if it continues to address the needs of the specific workplace. The first aid training program should be kept up-to-date with current first aid techniques and knowledge. Outdated training and reference materials should be replaced or removed. If you do not have an adequate first aid training program, or feel that your hands are full with other workplace duties, allow Safety Training Services, Inc. to be your first aid training provider! Your facility or ours, we provide "Real Training" in hands-on scenarios with state-of-the-art equipment. CPR and AED can be included in the training program to be certain you and your employees will be ready and able to respond immediately and correctly in the event of a workplace emergency!

Tell me more about your First Aid Training!

Tags: supplies for first aid kits, aed training chicago, workplace first aid kits, first aid training, aed training, office safety, workplace safety

Web Series on General Office Safety - Part 1 of 4

Posted by Joshua Fleishman on Thu, Dec 06, 2012 @ 08:13 AM

When you think of office safety, what are some of the first things to come into your head?

The Simpsons - General Office Safety

Fire extinguishers? First aid kits? Excellent! You are on the right track, but there are some other key pieces to that puzzle we love called “safety.” However, talking about ALL of them would take me MUCH longer then one simple web blog; which is why I have decided to span the information out to a 4-part web series that will take place all throughout the month of December.

Ok, so the first thing a lot of us think is first aid kits, right? Remember these tips while searching for a kit.

  • First aid kits should be easily accessible to all employees
  • Remember to make sure the kit is adequate for the number of people in your workplace
  • Keep it stocked & fresh; no sense in having a great-looking kit with the contents expired (Don’t forget bandages & wraps have expiration dates too!)
  • Decide how you will keep it up-to-date; buy items individually, buy refill packs or just hire someone to do it for you

Don't wait until there is an emergency! Make sure you have a working, satisfactory kit that will be there ready when you are. Oh you don’t? Or you aren’t satisfied with the service you currently have? Well then I have some great news for you, Safety Training Services can help. Visit our “Technical Services” page and find out how. Or just contact us below and ask!

Contact Safety Training Services Today!


What else should be around before disaster strikes? Fire extinguishers? Exactly! No workplace (or home for that matter) should be without. Let’s take a look at how & what to look at when purchasing (or renting) fire extinguishers.Fire Extinguisher Safety


Fire extinguishers come in various shapes and sizes, and can be either rechargeable or non-rechargeable. Rechargeable are made to be reused and non-rechargeable must be replaced after use (even if only partially discharged); though both types (rechargeable & non) need to be serviced annually by a certified person/company. Servicing is also necessary whenever seal is broken. This could result from continual use, age or even just external tampering. Once a seal is broken, the unit is in danger of not working. Monthly checks should also supplement your professional annual checks. Learn how to do your own monthly extinguisher checks

Keep in mind that fire extinguisher training is available as well. There is little value in having a fire extinguisher if you do not know how to use it!

Click here for information on fire extinguisher training!

Know your fires…

Not all are the same! As you may or may not be aware, fires start from an array of materials. Because of this, they are classified into 4 groups:

The Simpsons - Fire Safety
  • Class A – These are fires started with ordinary solid combustibles (things such as wood, cloth, paper, etc.).
  • Class B – These are fires started with flammable gases and liquids (things like paints, grease, tar, alcohol, etc.).
  • Class C – These are fires started by energized electrical equipment (things like short-circuiting, overloaded cables, etc.).
  • Class D - These are fires caused by the combustion of metals such as Aluminum, Magnesium, Lithium, Sodium, Potassium and their alloys.
  • Class E - These are fires involving electrical apparatus. 
  • Class F/K – These are fires started generally in the kitchen or a kitchen-like setting (things like oils and fats).

The good news is that the first three classes of fires can be fought with one particular extinguisher. The “ABC” fire extinguishers are filled with mono ammonium phosphate, which is a dry chemical agent. Class D fires will require special purpose powder extinguishers. If you feel you may need one of these extinguishers or have questions regarding these extinguishers, please contact one of our fire extinguisher professionals here. Class E extinguishers use carbon dioxide to treat the fire. And lastly, Class F/K fire extinguishers (again, generally associated with kitchens & cooking appliances) are filled with a blend of potassium acetate and potassium citrate; which makes them ideal and very effective in combating those types of fires.

What about clean up?

Clean can be as simple as wiping the area with a towel or just vacuuming the residue up. The biggest challenge is simply knowing what chemical your extinguisher contains. I have linked a great do-it-yourself for fire extinguisher clean up found here.

Make sure to consult a professional here at Safety Training Services, Inc. when buying/renting fire equipment so you have the right tool for the job or if you have any further questions regarding the subject. We are here to help; much of our staff are career firefighters. Feeling up to more reading on the subject? Click here to be whisked away to our “Fire Extinguisher Services” page.

Click for more information on our fire extinguisher services!

Tags: fire extinguisher safety, first aid training, general office safety, safety training topics