Health And Safety: First Aid In The Workplace
No matter what type of job you have, there are certain health and safety risks that you must deal with. Obviously, some professions are more dangerous that others, but health and safety and first aid should be priorities for all of them. Many people do not realize that their employers are obligated, by law, to provide them with the safest working conditions possible. This act was put in place in 1974, and requires that all employers have policies and systems in place to provide workers with the proper treatment for injuries and illness. This may take several different forms, including programs and services, or safety and first aid kits.
Workplace Safety
The most basic provisions for many employers for health and safety are first aid kits. This provides the employees with the ability to treat basic injuries that they might receive on the job. Most kits are quite basic and easy to use, so that anyone can utilize what's in them. However, many employers have at least one person present who has health and safety and first aid training. This gives the employees the opportunity to have the best possible immediate medical care. This person can also advise if further treatment is going to be necessary.
Depending on the type of profession it is, many employers require in-house health and safety first aid training. This is often a requirement for those who work in corrections or shelters or other types of care facilities. This is also usually done in places where the employees are in close contact with hazardous chemicals.
Any type of health and safety or first aid program should also include training on fire safety. In addition to instruction on how to treat burns, employees should also be made aware of the location of all fire extinguishers and how to use them. Fire drills should also be conducted so everyone knows how to get out of the building in the event of fire. No matter what type of facility you work in, there is some type of fire risk.
Other Services
In addition to basic health and safety and first aid systems, many employers offer various other services, including stress management, counseling, and drug and alcohol abuse programs. Sometimes, the stress associated with a person's job will begin to negatively affect many aspects of their life, including their health. Some employers have stress management classes available to their employees. This may help them deal with their stress in a positive way and avoid further complications later on. Sometimes this stress, or other factors, will lead to some type of substance abuse. Many companies also offer programs to help their employees deal with these issues. Some even include counseling for family members to help them deal with it.
More employers are getting involved and offering more than just the basics of health and safety. With today's fast paced and hectic lifestyles, this is becoming more important all the time.
