How First Aid Protects Employees and Your Bottom Line

Oct 4, 2016 9:01:19 AM / by Quad City Safety

Worker lying on the ground while a First Aid responder kneels next to him unrolling gauze

“Anyone have a bandage?”

That's a pretty common request on a job site. From a small paper cut to more serious wounds, it’s important to have the correct first aid supplies on hand. OSHA requires that employees are given a safe and healthy workplace that is reasonably free of occupational hazards. Nevertheless, accidents will happen and employers are required by law to provide medical and first aid personnel and supplies based on the hazards of the workplace.

First aid doesn’t only provide wound care, it saves lives.

Why should having the right first aid equipment available at your jobsite be important to you? Well to start, for the minimal cost of providing proper first aid to workers in the event of injury, you can avoid costly fines that can amount to thousands of dollars. Avoiding unnecessary costs is the simplest and most cost effective way to stay on budget.

Secondly, in the event that an accident does occur, you will want to ensure that workers have all the essential supplies to tend to wounds, lacerations, abrasions and chemical or other dangerous material exposure. Having these supplies on hand is one thing; they should also be easily accessible at a moment’s notice in case of emergency. Besides providing first aid for injuries, employers should also ensure that workers have access to effective CPR training/resources as a staggering 10,000 people experience cardiac arrest in the workplace every year!

First Aid Options

Let’s explore some first aid options:

25-Person Bulk First Aid Kit by FIRST AID ONLY allows you to supply first aid essentials for less than $200. Perfect for small companies, fleet vehicles, contractors or work sites, this sturdy case has a rubber gasket seal to protect the included first aid supplies.

Vehicle First Aid Kits are perfect if you happen to need a more rugged and weatherproof steel case. You can find the first aid essentials you need in these durable kits that stand up to the rough conditions of tool truck compartments. These kits exceed requirements of ANSI Z308.1-2003.

AED Plus® Defibrillators and Accessories are designed to support the Full Chain of Survival by supporting effective CPR. An important feature of this device is that it provides Real CPR Help® with real time feedback on depth and rate of chest compressions. Now rescuers can have confidence that they can help all victims of sudden cardiac arrest, not just those who require defibrillation.

FIRST AID PROTECTS WORKERS

While it is vital to be compliant to industry specific safety regulations, there is nothing more important than ensuring that your workers are safe. Providing them with the tools and supplies they need to treat injuries and prevent infection can help reduce the severity of the injuries and risk to others. Check out this chart from First Aid Only comparing the ANSI standards for first aid kit supplies. From antiseptics and bandages, cold packs to AEDs, having the proper safety supplies on site can be the deciding factor in whether a worker goes home at the end of the day or ends up in the emergency room.