Why is Health and Safety Training Important?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,800 people died in 2004 from workplace injuries, and another 4.3 million workers suffered on-the-job injuries and illnesses. Nearly 8 injuries occur in workplaces every minute, so it’s critical for employees to be able to respond to an injured co-worker immediately and with the confidence that comes from being trained in first aid. It can mean the difference between life and death.

Occupational Safety and Health Act

In 1970, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) to assure safe and healthy conditions for workers. The OSH Act covers all employees except workers who are self-employed and public employees in state and local governments. Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts1902-1990, contain OSHA regulations and standards. Occupational Safety and Health Standards can be found in part 1910 of Title 29 in the Code of Federal Regulations. "Standard" is defined as “a standard which requires conditions, or the adoption or use of one or more practices, means, methods, operations, or processes, reasonably necessary or appropriate to provide safe or healthful employment and places of employment.”

Some states have enacted occupational safety and health laws and operate federally approved state plans. Those states adopt and enforce state standards and regulations that are at least as effective as those enacted under federal law. For information related to state occupational safety and health plans, visit http://www.osha.gov/fso/osp/index.html of OSHA Standards

 

Executive Summary of OSHA standard that Impact Workplace First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Programs:

 

OSHA Releases Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program

In May 2006, OSHA released a new document, “Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program,” which presents a summary of the basic elements of a first aid program at a workplace.

Best Practices     ← Click here for see OSHA document!

Interpreting OSHA First Aid Standards

Interpreting and complying with OSHA First Aid Standards is critical both to your business operations and to the health and safety of your most valuable asset—your employees. OSHA Standard Number 29 CFR 1910.151, covering medical services and first aid, states the following:

  1. The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of plant health.

  2. 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.

  3. Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.

Although OSHA’s regulation does not set specific response time requirements for the term “near proximity,” an interpretation of the standard states that “In areas where accidents resulting in suffocation, severe bleeding, or other life-threatening injury or illness can reasonably be expected, a 3 to 4 minute response time, from time of injury to time of administering first aid, is required. In other circumstances, i.e., where a life-threatening injury is an unlikely outcome of an accident, a 15 minute response time is acceptable.” (OSHA Standards Interpretation and Compliance Letters, 11/19/1992). However, as an employer would not know in advance what type of injury will occur, a 3-4 minute (life threatening) time frame is recommended for all emergencies (OSHA Standards Interpretation and Compliance Letters, 4/18/2002).

Remember that any employee could be a victim of sudden cardiac arrest where seconds can mean the difference between life and death. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the universally accepted EMS response time for urban areas is nearly 9 minutes, which is why providing training to employees who can respond within the first 3 to 4 minutes of a life-threatening emergency such as cardiac arrest is critical.

Complying with OSHA First Aid Standards

In the event of an injury or sudden illness, a quick response is critical. Businesses should take the following steps to provide adequate first aid care for all employees:

  1. In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in  close proximity to the workplace that can be used for treatment of all injured employees, the employer must ensure that a person or persons are adequately trained to render first aid. American Red Cross first aid courses meet OSHA’s “Guidelines for First Aid Programs” (Directive Number CPL 2-2.53), and the guidelines specifically reference American Red Cross first aid training. The guidelines also recommend that CPR training be a general element of a first aid program and that “retesting should occur every year.”

  2. Determine response times of local ambulance services and be sure they are familiar with your facility’s location and access routes. You should also contact medical facilities in your area to determine the level of care they can provide for employees, ranging from non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses to emergency cases.

  3. First aid supplies must be available and accessible to employees in the event of an emergency. Supplies should be appropriate for the types of injuries that are most likely to occur at your worksite. According to the OSHA standard, an example of the minimum contents of a generic first aid kit is described in American National Standard (ANSI) Z308.1-1998 “Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits.” Additional guidance on first aid kit contents is provided in OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.151 Appendix A.