• First-aid training should cover how to interact with Emergency Medical Services.emergency injury image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com
  
  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified guidelines that employers should follow regarding first-aid training for the work place. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that their workplace complies with the OSHA first-aid training standards. These guidelines were implemented as part of OSHA's efforts to ensure that employers provide their employees with working conditions that are free from hazards that can cause serious injury or death.
  
  

Teaching Methods

• Workplace first-aid training programs should be based on a consensus of scientific evidence when available. Employees who are being trained should develop skills through hands-on training exercises. The training should cover what first-aid supplies and equipment should be on-hand.
  
  Correct responses to various injury scenarios should be covered. Quick responses to first-aid situations should be emphasized. Commonly occurring scenarios should have comprehensive training coverage.
  
  

Preparedness

• The workplace first-aid training program should include instruction about prevention of injuries and illnesses. How to interact with local EMS personnel should be covered. A list of emergency contact numbers should be maintained that can be accessed by all employees.
  
  The legal aspects surrounding the administering of first-aid care should be discussed. The effects of panic and stress in first-aid situations are part of the suggested instruction.
  
  

Assessment

• First-aid training should cover how to safely assess a scene of an accident or injury. The assessment should cover toxic threats of the scene and the potential for need of respiratory protection. Training on confined spaces should be covered. The instruction should include how to prioritize care when multiple injuries are involved.
  
  Early activation of EMS should be emphasized. Whether or not to reposition victims of injury should be discussed. Continuous monitoring of the victim is part of the suggested instruction.
  
  

Response

• The training program should be designed to be appropriate for the specific work place. Training should cover the appropriate protocol for responding to life-threatening injuries. Opening airways, rescue breathing, CPR, using an utomated external defibrillator (AED), and controlling breathing are topics that should be covered.
  
  Responding to loss of consciousness should be discussed. How to respond to various kinds of poisoning should be included in the teaching. Responding to medical emergencies including stroke, seizures, chest pain and breathing problems should be discussed.
  
  Responses to non-life-threatening injuries should also be covered. Instruction should discuss how to respond to wounds, burns, exposure to extreme temperatures, musculoskeletal injuries, eye injuries, bites and stings should be covered.