Emergencies occur all around us and in every aspect of our lives. Someone may be injured at the workplace, at school, or even at home. Knowing what actions need to be taken in order to take control of an emergency situation can mean the difference between life and death. When these emergencies happen, first aid basics are able to help equip people with the ability to reduce the risk and dangers that may arise from many kinds of accidents. Equipping your business with a properly selected first aid kit can provide care for people before emergency medical treatment becomes available.
Safety Rules & Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to comply with specific safety and health standard regulations. One of these regulations is for employers to properly create and monitor first aid kits that will best suit the needs of the business.
The sizes and variations of kits may differ depending on the size of the business and the types of hazards that may be present at a workplace. It is advised that employers with changing first aid needs should consider adding and amending their kits and filling them with proper tools to help alleviate emergency situations.
For example, working in a restaurant will expose you to a different set of workplace hazards than working at a desk. The kitchen of a restaurant should keep burn kits and extra gauze and bandages in their first aid kits due to the hazardous conditions of the kitchen. Accidents can and do happen and you'll want to be prepared if a chef accidentally burns or cuts themself.
Getting Down to Basics
A basic OSHA-approved first aid kit contains a variety of necessary treatments and tools. Different sized gauze pads and adhesive bandages are necessary to cover open wounds. Wound cleaning supplies and disinfectants should be used to help clean the wound before covering it. A simple blanket can even help alleviate shock symptoms. Latex disposable gloves should always be worn by anybody providing first aid care in order to defend against blood borne pathogens. Mild pain relievers are also highly suggested additions to a basic first aid kit. Headaches and back pain can become quite common for employees working at a computer desk all day. These are just some of the basics that should be added to the first aid kits.
Some businesses may find that fully equipping the required amount of first aid kits needed may become tedious and expensive. However, there are many different OSHA-approved first aid kits available that are already assembled and ready to ship. You can look to Quill's selection of first aid supplies to find a list of comprehensive first aid kits to suit any first aid needs for your business. You'll find that not only are they of great value, but they are also fully equipped with high quality first aid care, with Johnson & Johnson brands like Band-Aid and Tylenol.
Remember, first aid has been proven to save lives. Learning the basics will help anyone save a life in an emergency. Make sure you and your workplace are ready when it happens.
ANSI Z308.1-2009 - Minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits
Source: ANSI
Additional Useful First Aid Supplies:
Krista Wolfe
Quill.com Contributing Writer
Krista Wolfe is a marketing project manager for Quill.com where she writes to help small businesses, teachers and healthcare professionals make more informed decisions on office essentials. She also writes on our new community blog, Café Quill, about a wide range of business matters such as leadership, productivity and work-life balancing. Krista lives in Chicago and you can find her on LinkedIn.