Do Your Employees Know What to Do During an Emergency?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)

When someone has a heart attack or other catastrophic injury that interrupts their breathing and heart function, CPR can save their life, but only if someone else knows how perform it. Victims who receive CPR have a two to three times greater survival rate than those who do not. Having CPR-certified employees is a best management practice that saves lives.

Even though most AEDs deliver audible prompts to help the user, critical time may be lost if the responder has never used the device. However, someone with CPR training will already be trained in the use of AEDs and will be able to deliver care quickly and efficiently.

First Aid

First aid is an important skill to have in any emergency situation. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can make a huge difference in the outcome of a medical emergency.

Training workers in first aid enables them to recognize and respond to potential safety hazards more quickly and effectively. Employers also benefit when staff have a greater ability to identify and treat minor injuries and recognize significant illnesses and injuries that require emergency medical services.

OSHA Requirements for Training

OSHA requires employers to ensure that emergency medical services and first aid are readily available. They have interpreted this requirement to mean that within four minutes of an incident occurring, the employee will begin receiving aid.

Additionally, if you have workers who are exposed to a shock of 50 V or more (e.g. maintenance or electrician), you are required to have at least two employees trained in CPR and first aid for each shift with the exposure. Likewise, there are requirements to have first aid training for companies that perform confined space entry and sites that manage hazardous waste.

Anyone who could be exposed to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs), like first responders, is required to be trained to understand the risks of such substances and how to protect themselves against exposure. This training should include the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Walden staff can help you understand what BBPs are, how they are spread, how to minimize the risk of spreading them or coming into contact with them, and what to do if you suspect that you have been exposed to them.

American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross?

Does your organization have a preference for one or the other? Luckily, Walden has staff that are certified by the AHA and the Red Cross, so we can perform the training that you want for your staff. We can train your team for CPR, AEDs, first aid, and BBPs under either system.

Does your site have EMRs, EMTs, or other professional rescuers? We can also teach Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR so they can keep their certifications current.

More on Walden’s EHS Services

The safety and health professionals at Walden are available to help your company train first responders, incorporate the responders into your written safety programs, evaluate the need for AEDs and first aid kits, and perform inspections for you. If you need assistance, please contact Walden EHS Director, David Garner, at 860-846-4069 or dgarner@walden-associates.com for further support.