Of the 4,764 workers who died on the job in 2020, logistics and supply chain workers accounted for 1,282 of them, and employees involved in construction and extraction accounted for 976, according to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with the proper training.
Most CPR, First Aid, and Basic Life Support training occur every other year, so CPR certification cards remain in effect for two to three years. However, medical tactics change. The out-of-date CPR techniques do not provide enough blood flow to keep the brain alive during a cardiac emergency. However, the churn in today’s workforce makes onboarding, ongoing, and refresher first aid, CPR, and basic life support training vital for workplace safety, regardless of whether your employees’ certifications have not yet expired.
Onboarding CPR Training
During the interview, determine whether your prospective worker has CPR certification. If not, you need to schedule a training session as soon as possible, preferably no later than in week one. For efficiency, form a group of employees who need to renew their certificates and include your new hires in the class. By doing so, you ensure that experienced workers familiarize the new staff with the likely situations where CPR might be needed.
Simulations and Drills
Hold quarterly emergency preparedness drills. Ensure that your employees practice CPR, automated external defibrillator use, and basic first aid techniques in between certifications. Since teaching someone else imprints your training better than listening alone, have your certified workers demonstrate the correct way to perform CPR for your uncertified staff. Use these simulations as “train the trainer” exams. Importantly, have a certified CPR trainer on hand to watch and correct any mistakes in real-time.
Record every employee’s CPR certification date in their employee file and ask certified workers to serve on safety committees in the various departments and at each external worksite. Make sure every crew has at least two CPR-certified workers assigned to it, keep first aid supplies and automated external defibrillators handy, and replace the CPR face mask kits in every company vehicle at least once a year.
If you’re looking for safety and environmental training courses for your employees, turn to ETC Compliance Solutions. Whether you’re looking to get new hires trained or get current employees up to date on training, we’ve got you covered.
