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RIDE for the RED!

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May 30, 2006

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released the Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First Aid Program. The purpose of the guide is to present a summary of the basic elements of a first aid program at a workplace. Although the best practices guide is not a standard or regulation, it is intended to be helpful to employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The guide states that a workplace first aid program is a key component of any comprehensive safety and health management system.

The guide’s best practices cover planning and conducting effective first aid training. OSHA recommends that training courses include instruction in general and workplace hazard-specific knowledge and skills, incorporating automated external defibrillator (AED) training into CPR training if an AED is available at a worksite and periodically repeating first aid training to help maintain and update knowledge and skills.

The best practices do not change existing standards or regulation. The guide is advisory and informational in content.

Promoting Red Cross Training
Key points in the guide pertinent to Red Cross training and products include:

• A workplace first aid program should include the following elements:
• Comply with OSHA requirements related to first aid; and
• Include first aid supplies and first aid equipment, such as bandages and AEDs.
• First aid providers (a person trained for their workplace) should receive periodic refresher courses on first aid skills and knowledge.
• Employers should make an effort to obtain estimates of EMS response times for all permanent and temporary locations for all times of day and consider the potential of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) when planning their first aid program.
• The guide lists the OSHA Standards that include CPR training.
• If an employee is expected to render first aid as part of their job duties the employee is covered by Bloodborne Pathogen standard.
• First aid supplies should be adequate and in an area readily available.
• An AED should be considered when selecting first aid supplies and equipment.
• All worksites are potential candidates for AED programs because of the possibility of a SCA.
• The American Red Cross and American Heart Association are cited as resources for AED information.
• The American Red Cross, American Heart Association and National Safety Council are cited as resources for first aid training.
• Training programs should be up-to-date with current first aid techniques and knowledge. Outdated training and reference materials should be replaced or removed.
• Recommendations on the elements of a first aid training program include:
• Consensus of scientific evidence;
• Have "hands-on" skills through use of manikins and partner practice;
• Use visual aids;
• Include a course information resource for reference during and after training;
• Emphasize skill training and confidence building;
• Instructor-led training for responding to life-threatening emergencies is recommended to be taught yearly. This includes CPR/AED training and some elements of Red Cross first aid courses;
• Training for non-life threatening emergencies should be taught "periodically"; and
• Instructor observation of acquired skills and written performance assessments is suggested.

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