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Step 3: The Right Stuff
First aid
In every jurisdiction there are requirements for making sure that everyone has access to
first aid when they need it. These are the basic requirements to keep in mind:
How many first aid kits do we need in our workplace?
What supplies do we need to have in our first aid kit?
Where are they located? Can employees access the first aid kit quickly if they need to?
Who are the designated First Aiders? (Hint: The more people you train, the easier it
becomes to ensure that you have a designated First Aider for each shift you operate.)
How often are we checking our first aid kit? (Hint: Make it part of your monthly
workplace inspection. You should also be checking (and refreshing) after each use.)
You need to keep records of all first aid that is administered. To make it easier, create a
first aid log that stays with the first aid kit. It might seem like overkill to record every time
someone uses a bandage, but here's the thing — even those minor injuries tell a story. If
you find that people are using bandages daily because they pinched their fingers on the
same piece of equipment, then you have just identified a hazard in your workplace. Use
that information to make your workplace safer.
Fire protection Equipment
Having a fire protection system also means maintaining that system so that it's in good working
order in the event that you need it. Make sure that you're familiar with the type of equipment
that you have in your workplace — make it part of your monthly workplace inspection.
Emergency Lighting
Exit Signs
Emergency Exits: make sure they're clear at all times
Fire Extinguishers: what type, where are they located, who knows how to use them
Fire Alarms: how frequently are they tested, by whom?
Pull Stations
Sprinkler Systems
Voice Communication Systems
