Employers who are serious in fostering a safety culture within the organization should prioritize in designing a First Aid in the workplace program.
Below are some frequently asked questions about first aid provision in the workplace with the appropriate answers to guide employers, managers and other personnel directly involved in the first aid program:
Q. What is first aid at work?
A. Basically, first aid at work refers to a program which aims to provide proper care to injured employees. This program prevents minor injuries to becoming worse and even saves lives.
Q. What is a first-aider?
A. A first-aider is someone who has undergone the appropriate training to possess skills in giving emergency aid to someone who gets injured or becomes ill at the workplace.
Q. Do my workers need first aid training?
A. There should always be at least one trained person in your organization who can provide
emergency aid to anyone at any time. It is further recommended that this person receive proper training to meet the particular needs of a workplace.
Q. Where and how do I find a competent training provider?
A. As an employer, you should ensure that your employees receive the proper training done by a competent training provider. Check with the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Health & Safety Division for a list of certified training centers. You must also conduct due diligence in selecting your preferred training provider.
Q. Do I need to supply first aid supplies or a first aid room?
A. A workplace that has more than 100 employees are required to a have first aid room, otherwise a fully-stocked first aid kit or box would suffice.
Q. What if our job site is in a remote location?
A job site that is at least 30 minutes away from an emergency care facility is considered at a remote location and therefore must have written plan indicating how you can communicate with the workers at the remote site and how injured parties are to be transported out of the site.
