Yesterday we provided a sample of first-aid questions and answers from Safety.BLR.com®. Today we give you some more Q&As, and we talk about a training program that can help you prepare employees for almost all first-aid emergencies.
Q. I have two recharging machines for my electric forklifts. Do I need eyewash stations near the charging area? If so, how close or far away can they go?
A. From an OSHA letter of interpretation: Because §1910.178 does not have a specific requirement for eyewash facilities, the general standard at §1910.151 applies. When necessary, facilities for drenching or flushing the eyes "shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use." In applying these general terms, OSHA would consider the guidelines set by such sources as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z358.1-1998, Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, which states, at section 7.4.4, that eyewash facilities are to be located to require no more than 10 seconds to reach, but that where a strong acid or caustic is used, the unit should be immediately adjacent to the hazard.
BLR’s OSHA Training System offers a completely prewritten, affordable program to handle first aid and dozens of other mandated training needs. Try it at no cost. Get the details.
Q. Are wraps or elastic bandages applied by a licensed healthcare professional considered a significant injury?
A. For the purposes of Part 1904, "first aid" includes:
(F) Using any non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts, etc. (devices with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);
First aid is not recordable.
Q. Are there rules against supplying ibuprofen in first-aid kits?
A. OSHA’s first-aid regulation at 29 CFR 1910.151 does not specify the contents of a first-aid kit. Nonmandatory Appendix A to 1910.151 points to an ANSI standard, Z308.1-1998 "Minimum Requirements for Workplace First-aid Kits." Because OSHA has not adopted the standard by reference, it does not have the force of law.
Q. An employee got a gnat bite on her eyelid. We thought it was a spider bite, so we took her to Urgent Care. The doctor gave her a tetanus shot and released her back to work. Is this an OSHA recordable incident?
A. Tetanus shots are considered first aid and are not recordable.
Q. What is the employer’s responsibility with regard to bee stings of employees who work outside?
A. A bee sting would be considered an injury like any other workplace injury if it occurs in the workplace. Employers should ensure that employees working outdoors wear proper clothing and take precautions, such as using insect repellant, against insects. In the event of a bee sting, the employee should receive any necessary medical treatment or first aid.
Try OSHA Training System for a complete solution to your mandated training needs. You can do so at no cost or risk. Read more.
Basic First-Aid Training for All
The OSHA Training System has the perfect basic first-aid training session for all employees. Titled "First Aid in the Workplace," this session and accompanying booklet teach workers the fundamental principles of first aid in the workplace.
As its name implies, the OSHA Training System is a complete system to meet your full training needs. All the materials are prepared in advance, so no prep time is required. All you do is reproduce what you need and put it to use. Materials include:
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32 complete safety units, meeting every key OSHA standard. Each includes full background for trainers, a ready-to-use safety meeting, and follow-up handouts.View a Table of Contents.
- Quizzes, handouts, and copies of 27 different employee booklets, coordinated to the safety meetings. (Booklets can be bought in any quantity at a discount.)
- A complete training recordkeeping and tracking system that tells you which employees need what training, and then tracks your program to ensure they get it.
- Quarterly updates, included with the program. You receive at least 4 new safety units every 90 days, covering new OSHA standards and training needs.
If you share the common problem of never having enough time or the right materials for training, we’d suggest you examine the OSHA Training System program. We’ve arranged for you to do so for up to 30 days at no cost or risk. Just let us know, and we’ll be happy to make all the arrangements.
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