Workplace First Aid, CPR & Blood Borne Pathogen Training

Introduction

Every workplace environment, regardless of the number of hazards present or the type of work performed, should have a basic first aid, CPR, and blood borne pathogen training program or, at the very least, a formal emergency response plan.

First Aid Training in the Workplace

Although much of first aid is common sense — most people learn at least some steps to proper first aid through trial and error and ordinary life experience — effectively administering life-saving first aid requires hands-on training by experts. It is best that this training occur immediately upon starting a job rather than in reaction to an unforeseen emergency, and that review courses are offered on a regular basis.

To be sufficiently prepared to respond with emergency first-aid treatment, an employee must attend a formal training course. Such courses are often offered through community organizations such as the American Red Cross or, given the growing demand for employee training, by commercial providers.

CPR: Procedures and Training Requirements

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is an emergency procedure used on a victim of cardiac arrest. Although CPR is part of the emergency medical provider's chain of survival — which includes early access to emergency medical services, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advanced care — it is a procedure that can be performed by laypersons. Because CPR is such a vital component in saving lives, it is highly advised that all people become fully trained in CPR procedures. This is especially true in the workplace setting.

CPR is a skill that must be learned through professional training and reinforced through regular practice and review courses. Training typically involves hands-on practice using a resuscitation mannequin. Like all first aid procedures, CPR should be learned at the beginning of an employment relationship, not as a reaction to a workplace emergency. Because CPR is such a specific and technical procedure, it is best taught by a qualified expert, who can ensure that the trainee performs CPR in an effective and safe manner.

Blood Borne Pathogens and Workplace Safety

A blood borne pathogen is an infectious microorganism present in blood that can cause disease. Common examples include HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Because it is nearly impossible to determine by sight whether blood is contaminated, standard medical practice requires treating all blood — and other bodily fluids — as potentially infectious. Accordingly, certain blood and body fluid precautions must always be taken.

Blood borne pathogens are a concern in both workplace safety and emergency care. If an employee is injured on the job and that injury involves loss of blood, it is essential that the injured person receive immediate emergency first aid. However, the act of administering first aid or CPR to an injured employee places the responder at risk of contact with a potentially fatal blood borne pathogen. For this reason, additional training is necessary to ensure that all first aid and CPR procedures incorporate appropriate precautions against exposure to contaminated blood.

Conclusion

The benefits of and need for proper employee training and precautions in areas such as first aid, CPR, and blood borne pathogen protection are essential in today's business world. Not only may such training save a life, it will ensure that all employees are properly protected and, when all applicable standards are followed, may shield the employer from significant areas of liability.

For this reason, all employers should, at a minimum, offer employees a basic course in first aid and CPR. A standard protocol for dealing with emergency situations should be incorporated into employee training and, in particular, into the employee handbook. These measures should be visibly displayed throughout the workplace and updated on a regular basis.