First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens: What Training is Really Needed?

Ensuring employee safety and well-being is a top priority for most employers. Knowing that safety incidents and emergencies can happen anytime, being prepared is crucial. However, some employers wonder if the workplace really needs first-aid-trained personnel onsite. Local emergency services are often only a short distance away. When employees are needed at work to help meet production demands, training classes can feel unnecessarily long and redundant from previous years' sessions. And what about bloodborne pathogens or CPR and AED training? This article will explore compliance requirements and why such training is essential for keeping workers safe. 

First Aid Overview 

First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after an injury occurs and at the location where it happened. It typically consists of one-time, short-term treatment and requires little technology or training to administer. Examples include cleaning, treating, and bandaging minor wounds and burns, flushing debris from the eyes, and encouraging individuals to drink fluids to help relieve heat stress.  

First Aid Response 

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide employees with a safe and healthy workplace free of occupational hazards, accidents still happen. Therefore, in the absence of an onsite infirmary, clinic, or hospital "in near proximity," OSHA requires employers to provide first-aid-trained personnel and appropriate supplies to meet workplace hazards. This ensures that if an accident does occur, prompt medical attention and resources are available.  

Some employers question how close a medical clinic or hospital must be to alleviate the need for onsite first-aid-trained providers. While OSHA's rule doesn't define "near proximity," a 2007 OSHA interpretation letter clarifies that emergency care must be available within no more than 3-4 minutes from the workplace. When an incident is serious in nature and involves uncontrollable bleeding, a cardiac event, or the absence of breathing, a quick response time can make the difference between life and death.  

Suppose an employer is within a few blocks of a fire department or medical provider and is considering opting out of having first aid personnel onsite. In that case, the employer must consider the hazards present, including the likelihood of a serious incident, and determine if someone can reliably provide treatment within 3-4 minutes of being needed. The employer should then make a response agreement with the medical provider, meaning the provider agrees to respond to life-threatening emergencies within the 3-4 minute window. A written contract ensures that both parties have agreed to the response terms.  

When creating the agreement with the provider, the employers should identify in writing the types of emergencies that could occur in their workplace to ensure the provider is equipped to respond. A tool that could be helpful in this process is the employer's Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), which identifies the hazards of each job task in the workplace. While OSHA only requires employer use of JHAs in some industries, many state safety programs require all employers to conduct JHAs.  

Both parties should also consider potential response delays, such as needing to pick up specialized equipment for specific emergencies. Other common examples of delays could be unavailable emergency aid cars, high traffic periods, trains, or draw bridges. After all concerns are considered, most employers will find that the medical provider can not guarantee a response time of 3-4 minutes in every situation. Therefore, the employer will need to provide onsite first aid personnel.  

First Aid Training 

Most workplace first aid courses can be completed in a day or less, and depending on the agency providing the training, certifications are typically valid for two years. If employees are retrained within a valid certification period, they are often eligible for a shorter recertification class that refreshes their skills. While most industries do not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or automated external defibrillator (AED) training, employers are encouraged to find courses that include these skills as they could save a life and typically don't add a significant amount of additional time or cost to the class.   

Employers have different methods for choosing their workplace's first aid-trained personnel. Some employers designate supervisors or Safety Committee members as their trained providers to ensure quick identification of those able to help in an emergency. In contrast, other employers ask for employee volunteers. Regardless of the organization's chosen method, employers should ensure that enough people are trained to provide adequate coverage and response time depending on the size of the facility and the hazards present. Many employers choose to have at least two to three people certified per shift per building to ensure coverage if someone is away from work. Larger buildings may need additional providers to account for how long it takes to travel through the building.  

Bloodborne Pathogens 

Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria carried in blood that can cause disease. Examples include malaria, Hepatitis B and C, and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). As part of their first aid training, participants will learn about BBPs and what's referred to as the Universal Precautions. The precautions are methods used during first aid care to help prevent disease transmission. Examples include the use of protective barriers, such as gloves, masks, and eye protection that help prevent blood from entering the body.   

It's a common misconception that BBP training is required for all workplaces. While it's true that training is required for occupations that can expect to encounter blood or other potentially infectious body fluids (e.g., nurses, janitors), most employees do not need to have standalone BBP training. Instead, the BBP overview included in first aid classes will meet most general workplace requirements. However, employers must review their job descriptions to ensure that no positions can expect to encounter BBPs for this to be true. If it's determined that there are jobs where exposure is likely to occur, such as healthcare workers or laundry attendants, then the workplace must have a written Bloodborne Pathogen Program that includes more comprehensive BBP training than what is provided in the general first aid provider course.  

Beyond the Requirements 

No matter how safe a workplace may seem, accidents and medical emergencies can occur unexpectedly, and the first few minutes are often the most critical. Having trained first aid providers at the workplace can make a significant difference. Immediate and appropriate response can save lives and help prevent situations from worsening until professional help arrives.  

First aid training can also help promote a safer work culture since trained employees better understand the severe nature of injuries. This understanding can lead to better adherence to safety policies and practices and generate more employee involvement in hazard elimination. Knowing they have the skills to respond effectively in emergencies can also boost employee confidence. This not only benefits the individual but can also contribute to a positive work environment.  

Eligible Archbright members with additional questions regarding first aid and bloodborne pathogen training requirements are welcome to contact the Safety Hotline or utilize mozzo Chat to speak with an available Safety Consultant. Employers interested in public or private first aid training are encouraged to contact BESTCPRUSA for an exclusive Archbright discount. For more information, contact BESTCPRUSA at info@bestcprseattle.com or 425.272.5402.