Liability
Despite OSHAs requirements that employees be trained in First Aid and CPR if the company is more than four minutes away from emergency medical care - many informally or perhaps even formally tell their employees to do nothing more than call 911.
Is the intention of OSHAs First Aid Standard being lost here?
How do you feel about a company that tells its employees “hands off?”
According to the OSHA Standard CFR29 in 1910 General Industry Code and 1926 Construction Code all employers are required to provide training: See below OSHA Standard 1910.151 (b):
“In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.”
The interpretation of OSHA standard states that first aid training will be CPR inclusive.
When a representative of a company states formally or informally “do nothing other than calling 911″ this is in direct violation of the above stated standard. Obviously this company has no concern for the heath and safety of their workforce and are grossly informed regarding the protection extended to employees and employers by the Good Samaritan Law.
Good Samaritan Law - With the influx of AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Tuberculosis and the standard on Bloodborne Pathogens, I believe the workplace has created alot of fear. Why don’t employees drop down and begin CPR? If the first aid kit had a mask for protection and a system that would guide them through the steps in audio form and that was mandated through CalOSHA or the Department of Labor or federal OSHA, all State Safety programs, and ANSI, perhaps there would be alot of people not afraid to help another. Only by teamwork and Committees working together and having their voice heard will this work. I am now starting a Ground Roots Disaster Site Planning for the SWF Southwest Florida Area. Several other organizations have joined and are teaming up to face the media and the Government Agenies that always say that they need the private sector. We are currentlly taking courses on line through Homeland Security ICS-100, ICS-200. Get going and start something. Send an email to craighumble@vikingconstruction.com and join the list of persons who want the best for our workers and the public.
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