As an employer, you have a legal and personal obligation to your employees to ensure not simply a safe working environment but also recourse if they do become injured for whatever reason. However, while most employers understand this obligation, many remain unaware of what this means in practice. In this piece, we will discuss why it is crucial for businesses to stock their workplaces with fully stocked first aid kits and designate one employee as the go-to person for administering even the most basic forms of first aid.
Learn Why It Is Important To Stock The Right First-Aid Supplies
All workplaces must have a fully stocked first-aid kit in various locations around the area. However, what goes into the equipment will vary pretty drastically depending on what sort of environment you operate in. For instance, a warehouse will involve far more disparate risks than a standard office setting, and each will require the right items to deal with whatever might occur. For example, as you can see with the various first aid kits and supplies from eFirstAidSupplies, this can include anything from burn-specific kits to those aimed at those working in the construction industry. It is up to you whether or not your circumstances will require developing your own kit or purchasing one ready-made that fits the situation.
Recognizing Common Workplace Injuries
Even the most minor injuries can have enormous costs for businesses and their employees, either from litigation or absenteeism. However, many are preventable if spotted early enough. Again, this will vary from workplace to workplace, but in most cases, it will include cuts, lacerations, punctures, and possibly even sprains and breaks. Quick response is vital when it comes to any form of bleeding, particularly regarding wound cleaning, to reduce the impact and onset of infection. In any case, prompt recording of incidents, as discussed a bit later, will allow you to get to the root of the issues.
Designating A Dedicated Workplace First Aid Officer
Placing a range of first aid kits around the office is simply not enough, even if they are fully kitted out with the latest, most relevant items. Having a designated workplace first aid officer can significantly improve your response time to potential injuries, thus reducing the impact of the damage and protecting your business from the worst of any legal action that could come your way. Before you choose someone to fulfill the role, you should set up an official procedure to provide adequate training for the role. This may involve multiple out-of-office days and professional certification to ensure you are in full compliance with the law. The idea behind setting up this position is to provide employees with a point of contact to approach if they become injured in order to avoid any confusion about responsibilities and procedures. Designating one person for this task also helps establish standardized safety protocols and train colleagues. Regular refreshers and drills can be conducted, and over time, workplace culture and awareness of what to do in emergencies will improve. Costs from minor issues escalating due to delays may be reduced as well.
Knowing When To Call Emergency Services
Calling the emergency number services may not always be required, depending on factors such as the degree of severity. However, following on from the previous section, it’s vital to have someone present who is able to discern whether they are needed or basic aid alone may suffice. While small cuts or minor bumps (not involving the head or neck) can generally be addressed with a bandaid or some ice, more severe wounds such as head or eye injuries, difficulty breathing, excessive bleeding, and more of that ilk must never be taken lightly. Nevertheless, with lives potentially at stake, it is always best to err on the side of caution and summon expert help without delay for any significant trauma incident.
Having The Correct Procedures To Document All Injuries In Case Of Litigation
As people have become more litigious over the past several decades, it is of utmost importance for businesses to have robust systems to comprehensively document any and all injuries that occur on your property. Details of the event, treatment administered, and ongoing care instructions must be faithfully logged according to proper procedures to create a clear record of the appropriate response and care delivered; demonstrating concern for the worker’s wellbeing was the primary motivation, and no negligence was involved. In most instances, your first aid officer will be the one trained to report the injuries accurately to ensure that all T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted.
Getting the first-aid situation in your workplace on point is vital to keep your staff safe from injury and reduce the impact via the proper form of treatment. As long as you have enough work-specific kits around the place, a designated officer to apply treatment, and a way to record incidents, you should have all bases covered.
