First Aid Preparation At The Office

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Does my office need a first aid kit?

Being prepared means being ready for a disaster no matter where you are. Most Americans spend 30% of their lives in the office, so you and your employees could be unprepared nearly 30% of this time without an office safety plan. 

No matter how many employees your Charlotte, NC, business has, meeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards is necessary. So how can you meet those standards and keep everyone safe? Keep reading to learn more about office safety. 

First Aid Kit

One of the most manageable steps you can take towards a safer office is having a first aid kit ready. First, you will need to determine the number of first aid kits required by OSHA for your business. To determine how many kits you need, first determine whether your business is low risk, high risk, or remote high risk. For low-risk businesses like retail shops and offices, one first aid kit is required for every 50 workers. High-risk businesses like factories need one kit for every 25 workers. 

When selecting your first aid kit, remember that all first aid kits are not created equally. That pharmacy first aid kit might be great for your family, but OSHA requires a complete kit to ensure everyone’s safety. To ensure you meet those requirements, consider purchasing an OSHA-approved first aid kit rather than attempting to put one together yourself. 

Once your first aid kit is installed in an area that is accessible to all employees, don’t forget to maintain it. Checking the kit every month is a smart way to ensure any items that were used or may have expired can be replaced before they run out entirely. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

As we all know, PPE can save lives. That is why ensuring there is PPE available for employees is a wise decision. When emergencies happen, employees could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials while using first aid supplies or other situations. The following items should be included in your PPE kit: Disposable gloves, safety glasses or face shield, face mask, CPR barrier. 

Emergency Eye Wash and Emergency Shower

If your Pineville, NC, puts employees or anyone on the property at risk for exposure to corrosive materials, OSHA requires an eye wash station or an emergency shower. For more information on whether this is required for your business, head to the OSHA website. 

For locations that do require an eyewash station or emergency shower, ensure that the facilities are maintained, flushed regularly, are not obstructed by doors or other objects, and are located within a 10-second walking distance to all employees who work with or near corrosive materials. If multiple eyewash stations are required for your business, consider placing eyewash bottles in first aid kits as well. 

Emergency Medical Plan

Your office being prepared for a workplace emergency means having an emergency medical plan. This plan should be posted in a location that is visible to all employees in the event of an emergency. Your plan should include: 

• The address of your workplace
• The phone number for the workplace
• Locations of all first aid kits, eyewashes, and emergency showers
• Names of employees trained in first aid
• Emergency phone numbers
• A list of at least three medical services close to the workplace 

Emergency Ready Profile

The most thorough way to prepare your business for any type of emergency is with an ERP. Our staff completes a no-cost assessment based on your facility so that all of your employees can be prepared. Ready to get started? Learn more about how we can create an ERP for your business when you click here. 

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