Health & Safety: What’s in Your First Aid Kit?
As a business owner, you’re responsible for providing first aid at your workplace when incidents happen. Whether minor or major injury occurs, have appropriate first aid equipment, supplies and attendants readily available that meet the needs of your worksite.
By providing initial and immediate care for injured employees, the possible severity of the injury can be lowered and a workplace fatality could even be prevented.
What are the first aid needs for my Company?
In order to determine the first aid needs for your workplace, perform an assessment.
The assessment outlines the hazards in the worksite, barriers to obtaining and the type of first aid treatment that will be needed if it should arise.
Check out WorkSafe BC on the 6 steps to first aid assessment that include:
- The number of workplaces
- Workplace hazard rating
- Travel time to a hospital
- Number of workers on a shift
- Required first aid services for your worksite
- Review your assessment
The assessment’s results will outline minimum levels of first aid, appropriate supplies, equipment and first aid attendants that may be needed for your site. From there, develop your procedures that outline how nurse practitioner employees call for first aid and where to find it.
Don’t Forget the Training
For solo practitioners owners, providing employees relevant training and supervision is key with emergency planning. Check out General Duties of Employers in the Workers Compensation Act for more information.
One aspect of training that works well for employee understanding and retention of procedures is having mock drills. Drills are a great way for staff to learn how to apply their knowledge and respond to incidents more confidently. Hold a staff de-briefing or huddle afterward, ask for input on what went well, and what could be improved, and amend where needed.
Where there’s involvement in safety, employees feel more confident with their roles and content with their employer. Active participation is a success in safety and builds positive momentum and motivation. Keep the motivation going and notice higher morale and productivity results. As the employer, providing training demonstrates your commitment to worker safety and supports a positive culture where employees can participate, build skills and feel empowered.
Want to learn more about Health & Safety? visit The Safe Way – Workplace Safety.
Disclaimer: This information is provided in an attempt to heighten sensitivity, increase awareness, and enhance judgments on this topic. We encourage our audience to contact their legal advisor and regulatory body to learn more.
Resources
First Aid Requirements. WorkSafeBC. (2021, April 22). Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/first-aid-requirements
General Duties of Employers. Workers Compensation Act. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/19001_02#section21
About the Author
Margo Wipf,
Programs Director, The Safe Way – Workplace Safety and Human Resource Corporation
Margo is a solutions and values-based safety consultant and Director of Programs with The Safe Way – Workplace Safety and Human Resources Corporation. Her safety company’s vision is to ensure safe work behaviours and environments for all workers, including the continuing care sector.
She excels at helping business owners establish a system to identify risk management issues, employment standards; Worksafe requirements, and much more.
Her method of approach is what sets her apart; she coaches, motivates, and builds relationships that promote safety culture and mitigate risk. She collaborates with solo practitioners creating safety policies and procedures that fit company needs and meet regulatory compliance. For the solo practitioner, these deliverables save money, provide peace of mind, and more time to focus on business and client needs.
To learn more about Margo and how she can help your business, please visit her website at www.thesafeway.ca
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