Does your Workplace Safety Training Meet OSHA Best Practice Recommendations?
The United States Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a new document, "Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program." These guidelines, although not required, can help you measure the quality of the safety training at your workplace. As you develop, revise or implement a first aid program for your business, consider these recommendations as the best way to create a safe working environment for your employees.
According to the "Best Practices Guide," skills updates are an integral part of a successful first aid program. Studies show that skill retention begins to deteriorate in as little as six months after training in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) skills. For this reason, OSHA encourages employers to lead a skills review and practice session every six months, and recommends that staff be retrained annually in CPR and AED. First aid training for non-life-threatening response should occur periodically. Red Cross programs meet this recommendation by requiring recertification in CPR and AED each year, and in first aid training every three years.
In addition to the first aid training standards that are required by OSHA, the Guide advocates AED training in the workplace. AEDs are not only readily available and easy to use, but can also greatly increase the chances of survival of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. When used within the critical three to four minutes after a cardiac arrest occurs, an AED can restore the fibrillating heart to a normal rhythym. Because of the inherent possibility of sudden cardiac arrest and the need for immediate action, all work sites are potential candidates for AEDs and AED training programs. The Red Cross can easily add supplemental AED training to first aid and CPR courses designed for the workplace, as well as facilitate the sale of an AED, in order to help businesses meet this "Best Practice."
OSHA also provides suggestions for trainee assessment. Certification should be awarded upon successful completion of both a written skills test and an instructor observation of acquired skills. American Red Cross CPR, AED and first aid courses all follow this method of student assessment.
When developing a training program for your workplace, make sure the program is specific to the worksite. OSHA recommends that employers obtain estimates of EMS and local rescue service response times for all permanent and temporary locations, and for all times of the day and night when workers may be on duty. Policies and procedures for first aid programs should also be in writing, and communicated to all employees, including those who may not read or speak English. Additionally, OSHA advises employers to assign a specific person the responsibility of maintaining and updating a first aid kit in the workplace.
The services offered by the Red Cross will help your business go above and beyond both the workplace safety training standards required by OSHA and its Best Practices recommendations, as well as help build the skills and confidence your employees need to respond in an emergency. Contact your local chapter today to request your free brochure that will help you interpret OSHA Guidelines for First Aid programs and learn how the American Red Cross can help you meet those standards.
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