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Workplace Environment, Regardless Of The Term Paper

According to the Red Cross' brochure on emergency training in an office setting, the training program will enable one to: care for conscious and unconscious choking victims, perform CPR, use an automated external defibrillator on a victim of cardiac arrest, give first aid and treat sudden illnesses. Part of all standard training is to include information on blood borne pathogens.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is an agency under the United States Department of Labor, established in 1970. According to its mission statement, OSHA is to work to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths by issuing and enforcing rules and standards for workplace safety and health. One of OSHA's most recent standards was released in 1990 and was related to preventing workers from being exposes to blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis B and HIV.

OSHA issues regular reports outlining standard procedures for workplace safety and first aid. For example, according to the publication entitled Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of Workplace First-Aid Program, (which is not a standard regulation but only a recommendation) it is advised that all workplace environments assess the risks associated with their environment and thereafter design a first-aid program specific for that worksite.

However, OSHA does have specific, first aid requirements. According the OSHA First

Aid Standard (29 CFR 1910.151) required at least one trained first-aid provider at all workplaces, regardless of size, if there is no "infirmary, clinic or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees." Further, the OSHA standard requires several specific forms of first aid training, including CPR. Specifically, OSHA requires CPR training because "sudden cardiac arrest from asphyxiation, electrocution...

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According to the OSHA standard entitled Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), all employees required to give first aid must receive specific training to prevent exposure to blood borne pathogens. According to this standard, all workplaces must be fully equipped with antiseptic hand washing facilities, a safe place to dispose of any potentially contaminated equipment, protective equipment for all employees expected to deal with potential exposures, a plan for hepatitis B vaccination and post exposure follow-up evaluations, and a standardized procedure for communicating potential hazards to employees.
Clearly, the benefits and needs for proper employee training and precautions in such areas as first aid, CPR and blood borne pathogen protection are essential in today's business world. Not only may such training save a life, it will ensure that all employees are properly protected and, if all standards are properly followed, may protect the employer from potential areas of liability. For this reason, all employers should, at a minimum, offer its employees a basic course in first aid and CPR. Further, a standard protocol for dealing with emergency situations should become a part of the employee's training and, especially, part of their employee handbook. Further, these measures should be visibly displayed and updated on a regular basis.

Bibliography:

American Red Cross. Homepage. www.redcross.org.

OSHA. (2006): Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of Workplace First-Aid Programs. Washington, D.C.: Department of Labor.

U.S. Department of Labor. (2007) Safety and Health Topics: Medical and First Aid. www.osha.gov/SLTC/meicalfirstaid/index.html.

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography:

American Red Cross. Homepage. www.redcross.org.

OSHA. (2006): Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of Workplace First-Aid Programs. Washington, D.C.: Department of Labor.

U.S. Department of Labor. (2007) Safety and Health Topics: Medical and First Aid. www.osha.gov/SLTC/meicalfirstaid/index.html.
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