Trade News Release
May 18, 2006
Contact: Frank Meilinger
Phone: 202-693-1999
OSHA Offers Best Practices Guide for First Aid Programs
WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program, a new guide to help employers and employees develop workplace first aid programs.
"Workplace first-aid program is a key component of any comprehensive safety and health management system," said OSHA Administrator Ed Foulke. "Our new guide offers practical information on how to help employers plan and implement first-aid programs as well as effective training."
The new OSHA guide identifies four essential elements for first-aid programs to be effective and successful; management leadership and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training.
The guide details the primary components of a first-aid program at the workplace. Those elements include:
- Identifying and assessing workplace risks;
- Designing a program that is specific to the worksite and complies with OSHA first-aid requirements;
- Instructing all workers about the program, including what to do if a coworker is injured or ill. Policies and program should be in writing;
- Evaluating and modifying program to keep it current, including regular assessment of the first-aid training course.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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