Does OSHA require employees to receive first aid training?
Yes. Employees are required to receive first aid training. The details of first aid programs depend on the circumstances of each employer and workplace, but OSHA (1910.151) mandates that there must be trained first-aid providers at all workplaces if there is no "infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees." Furthermore, OSHA requires that "adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available", according to 1910.151(b). The term "adequate" is relevant to the workplace, but a generic first aid kit (as described in American National Standard Z308.1-1978) covers most small worksites.
Which employees are required to receive first aid training per OSHA regulations?
OSHA requires that all employees be trained in first aid and CPR in the absence of a nearby clinic or hospital. However, it is strongly recommended—in any case—that all employees are properly trained to ensure that help is always at hand. At the very least, it is encouraged that every department or location should have at least one trained individual on each shift. It is the employer’s responsibility to determine the requirements for his/her first aid program, and to assess the location and availability of a medical facility in proximity to the workplace.
How often is refresher first aid training required?
Training programs should be updated periodically, and kept up-to-date with the latest first-aid techniques and knowledge. Refresher training must occur at least once a year, as numerous studies have proven that first-aid responders typically show a retention rate of 6-12 months for their CPR and AED skills.
Does OSHA require specific topics to be covered in first aid training?
Yes. Training courses should be individualized to the needs of the workplace, but there are several fundamental elements. All first aid training programs should incorporate: (1) specific teaching methods and principles (a curriculum based on scientific evidence, availability of supplies, exposure to injury/illness settings and "hands-on" skills, and an emphasis on skills, confidence-building, and quick response, among other things); (2) response preparation; (3) scene and victim assessment strategies; (4) life-threatening emergency response instruction; and (5) non-life-threatening emergency response instruction.
Is first aid training ever required in an office environment?
Yes. First aid training is always applicable to all worksites.
Do we need to have a defibrillator (AED) or other specialized medical equipment in our workplace?
OSHA does not currently require a first aid kit that includes an automated external defibrillator (AED), but it is strongly recommended (also by the American Heart Association) that an AED be present in most public places.
DVD cost effectively trains and retrains an unlimited amount of employees.
No trainer required, just pop in and play.
Video content keeps trainees engaged.
Very convenient, multiple employees don’t need to be pulled off the floor at once for a training session.
Includes both video content and an interactive quiz element to keep workers engaged.
More engaging than traditional training formats.
Can be customized to fit a companies specific work environment and equipment.
The only training option that can cover the "hands on" and "evaluation" portions of the training in addition to the "classroom" portion of the training.
CONS
Can be difficult to pull multiple workers off the floor at once to watch the video.
The DVD can get lost or scratched.
DVD can only train workers at a single location.
Due to the per person pricing format, it’s expensive for large companies that need to train hundreds or thousands of employees.
By far the most expensive training medium.
Administering refresher training as well as initial training for new employees can be a logistical nightmare.
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