Every employer should offer first aid training classes to at least a minimum number of employees. The type of training given should include the basics, such as first aid in the office, but also address particular hazards for the type of business. Any employee who desires certification in CPR and first aid should have the opportunity to become certified. The number of employees trained correlates with the total number of employees and their physical locations.

There are numerous methods to accomplish first aid training including first aid training online and online first aid certification. Every business owner must provide for the safety of their employees, and first aid training is where it starts.

When designing your first aid training program, consider the following:

1. Identify appropriate equipment needed for first aid training.

2. Identify topical areas that should be covered in first aid training.

3. Determine first aid training presentation options.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Utilize appropriate equipment needed for first aid training

Your business will need several training aids for first aid training. Obvious equipment includes a CPR manikin, biohazard cleanup and disposal equipment and an automatic external defibrillator. You will also want to teach the proper use of bandages, tourniquets and medicines.

I recommend: CPR Prompt manufactures adult and child-size CPR practice manikins. The website includes instructions for assembling the manikins. HeartSine produces the Samaritan automatic external defibrillator, a device that helps an individual having a heart attack. CPR Savers & First Aid Supply sells supplies for first aid in the workplace, including bloodborne pathogen protection, first responder kits, burn care materials and bandages. This company carries specialized first aid kits for farm and ranch, restaurants, welder and others.

Design CPR and first aid classes that focus on injuries typical to your business

Subjects taught in your first aid training should cover both personal and on-the-job first aid. Employees should know how to help a person having a heart attack or a diabetic seizure as well as know how to assist a person injured on the job. First aid training should cover both types of aid, as well as injuries common in your business.

I recommend: OSTS suggests several topics essential to proper first aid for the office, including allergies, poisoning, bleeding, and cardiac arrest. This company also sells a safety video on these topics as a training aid. American CPR Training provides first aid training for different industries, such as electrical safety, crane safety, office safety and ladder safety. The program descriptions provide a good source of topical areas your in-house first aid training should cover, whether you use an in-house trainer or hire a consultant.

Compare first aid training presentation options

People learn in different ways at different paces. First aid classes with an instructor can help employees learn first aid basics. Others may prefer an on-line CPR and first aid training course instead.

I recommend: Black Mountain Safety & Health produces a number of first aid videos useful in a classroom setting. These videos include topics such as emergency first aid, back safety, heat stress, asbestos protection, confined space and ergonomics. First aid training can include hand-outs or overhead presentations of procedural direction on first aid topics. MayoClinic provides a comprehensive listing of such training aids. You might decide to offer some training by an external vendor such as that provided by RedCrossOnlineTraining or International CPR Institute.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Become very familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standard codified at 29 CFR 1910. This federal law explains your company's obligations in providing medical treatment for personnel. Ensure your first aid training program helps your company comply with the law, including first aid certification of first aid providers.

No matter what your industry, implementing an in-house first aid training program ensures that your employees are ready to respond in the case of a medical emergency. Proper first aid training can reduce missed work days and may even mean the difference between life and death for your employees. OSHA requires specific types of first aid training for different industry sectors whose employees are at-risk; however, even a small retail store benefits from having employees who are ready to deliver a broad range of first aid when it’s needed.

The best first aid training program ensures that at least two people on duty at any time are trained in first aid, including CPR and AED. Your business benefits in a number of ways when you implement a first aid training programs for your employees.

1. You comply with OSHA standards, if your industry requires first aid training.
2. You increase employees' morale because they see that you care about their safety.
3. Trained staff is ready in the event of medical emergencies, so they can provide emergency help before paramedics arrive.
4. You legally protect yourself and your business by giving employees access to first aid training and first aid certification.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know OSHA's requirements for first aid training

Though OSHA doesn't have first aid training requirements for all industry sectors, any sector that places employees in harm's way generally has OSHA training requirements. Be familiar with these requirements to make sure that your business is in compliance.

I recommend: OSHA posts first aid training requirements for industry sectors and updates them on a regular basis. You can find specific training requirements for general industry; electric power generation, transmission and application; power distribution and commercial diving operations.

Choose solid on-site first aid training classes

Research shows that employees retain the most information from training programs that have a strong hands-on element. The easiest way to deliver hands-on first aid training is to find a training company to come to you. A comprehensive first aid training program incorporating basic first aid, CPR, AED and bloodborne pathogens gives your employees the tools they need to handle the first response to most medical emergencies.

I recommend: OSHA has partnered with The American Red Cross to create first aid, CPR, AED and bloodborne pathogen training classes that can meet businesses’ needs, providing first aid certification to employees. The American Safety and Health Institute provides a combined class to cover basic first aid, as well as CPR and AED. Cintas also offers training programs, including CPR, which is a good idea if you have a Cintas AED on site. Regardless of the first aid training you choose, make sure it offers your employees certification.

Incorporate web-based training

Though hands-on training is a must, especially when it comes to CPR, choosing a blended training method allows your employees to complete some of the training at their own pace and then come together as a group to practice the hands-on techniques. A blended approach can also save you money.

I recommend: The American Red Cross and the International CPR Institute (ICPRI) offer blended learning approaches, combining the best of online and hands-on CPR and first aid training. You can choose from basic first aid, CPR or AED online training. Emergency University also offers custom blended first aid training classes for businesses. With all of these first aid training classes, employees receive their first aid certification after they complete the on-site portion of the training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Schedule the first aid training so all employees can attend, but don't force them to attend unless it's a requirement of the position. Train during work hours if at all possible so you can ensure the highest number of trained employees.
• •  Offer incentives to employees if they need to come in for training during their time off.

New work place hazards require specialized first aid training to protect employees, workers and even clients who may be in your office. Some CPR and first aid equipment that once was only available in the emergency room is finding its way into the boardrooms and supply closets of businesses across America. First aid protocols also change periodically, so CPR companies and first aid companies are in demand to provide information on first aid training news and trends.

Such training may also require learning how to use new equipment in the training environment and on the job. You can also choose whether to offer basic first aid or provide CPR and first aid certification in the office or through online first aid certification. First aid training online offers the advantage of flexible first aid class times so productivity is not impacted.

1. Look for more effective first aid equipment.

2. Seek information that can shape the content of your first aid training.

3. Look for new ways to conduct first aid training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find new ways to conduct CPR training, first aid classes and other first aid for the office training

Companies tend to conduct first aid training as a hands-on training course in a group setting. However, due to increasing costs of training, remote location of employees and other factors, classroom training may not meet your needs.

I recommend: The American Heart Association provides information on eLearning, a method of delivering first aid training via Internet-based applications. Med First Aid International provides information on a medic first aid training center model. Corporations can establish a training center for their employees but also recoup costs by providing first aid training for other business or individuals for a fee.

Look for first aid training industry news and information

New threats to employee health and safety develop every day. Watch occupational health and safety news and understand how it may impact your work force. Keeping in touch with first aid training news and trends helps you keep your training material current and your employees safe.

I recommend: The Red Cross provides news related to the health care industry. Read about topics that can help shape your first aid training topics, such as disaster preparation and disease control. Safety Info provides subscribers 9,000 pages of pictures and narrative on new safety topics for first aid training. The site also includes puzzles and quizzes for a more interactive approach to training.

Protect your business by staying current with first aid training news and trends.

Take advantage of news on first aid in the workplace to educate and protect employees and workers.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Division issues safety standards and requirements for employers to follow. It’s imperative to stay current and comply with new laws and regulations on first aid training and safety requirements for your business. The New York Times publishes news articles on first aid training, techniques and laws. Sign up for an online subscription to stay current on developments and rules. Teachers and day care workers need first aid training for allergies, and Bio-Medicine has basic information on allergy training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most emergency medical services technicians attached to the local fire departments offer first aid training and various levels of first aid certification.
• •  Find an inexpensive gimmick to hand out as a giveaway at the first aid and CPR classes. Whether you give out a laminated card with CPR steps or a basic first aid kit, when attendees have something to take with them, safety sticks in their minds longer.

A person never knows when an injury or illness will strike. This uncertainty makes first aid training an imperative presence in the workplace. Responsible businesses will make sure employees are properly trained for handling basic mishaps that might occur and that the business is adequately stocked with appropriate first aid supplies.

Mostly, first aid training consists of products, processes and techniques. Understanding these things will be easier with the knowledge of some important first aid training key terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Occupational hazard, occupational accident

In business, occupational hazards (workplace concerns that lead to occupational accidents) are a leading reason for the need for first aid. An occupational hazard is anything on the job that can lead to an injury. Every job comes with its own set of occupational hazards.

I recommend: For a detailed definition and examples of an occupational hazard, see LawInfo. The International Labour Organization provides occupational hazard information on a variety of occupations. This information explores job-related hazards and focuses on occupational accident prevention.

First responder kit

A first responder kit is a type of first aid kit assembled for the purpose of portability and immediate use upon meeting an emergency.

I recommend: Explore the definition and more details of a first responder kit at The Preparedness Center.

Emergency guide

An emergency guide, a quick reference sheet often included in a first aid kit, is a useful tool in situations where first aid is necessary. In high stress situations, even the most in-depth first aid training can be forgotten. A handy emergency guide will help to refresh your memory when details are forgotten or walk you through an unknown process.

I recommend: eMedicine explains about emergency guides and has a collection available to be printed for your first aid kits.

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, CPR

It is advisable to become certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation. Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is the emergency technique for reviving a stopped heart. Most first aid trainings cover this topic.

I recommend: A detailed definition of CPR can be viewed online on the Mayo Clinic website.

Automated external defibrillator, AED

An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is a small medical, electronic device that emits a shock to assist in reviving people whose hearts have stopped beating.

I recommend: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration gives information on the automated external defibrillator and its use. For further description, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration page on AEDs.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration, OSHA

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration, commonly referred to as OSHA, is a government agency that advocates on behalf of America's workers to provide avenues for utmost safety on the job. Among its many tasks, OSHA sets safety standards and provides safety and first aid training.

I recommend: Learn about OSHA and more of its significance for your business from AllBusiness.com. Also see Business & Legal Reports.