Description

Emergency First Aid Workplace Safety Poster

Help employees recognize and respond to common medical emergencies with the Emergency First Aid Workplace Safety Poster. This comprehensive 24 x 36-inch poster provides a convenient visual reference covering first aid procedures for a wide range of injuries, illnesses, and emergency situations that may occur in the workplace.

Displaying first aid information in a highly visible location can help reinforce employee safety training and remind workers of important emergency response procedures while trained first aid providers or emergency medical services are being contacted.

What First Aid Emergencies Does This Poster Cover?

The Emergency First Aid Workplace Safety Poster provides guidance covering numerous common workplace medical emergencies and injuries, including:

Bleeding and open wounds
Burns
Convulsions and seizures
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Fainting
Eye injuries
Electric shock
Drug overdose
Drowning emergencies
Animal bites
Frostbite
Heart attack and stroke
Heat exhaustion
Hypothermia
Insulin shock
Unconsciousness
Shock
Rescue breathing
Poisoning

Why Is Workplace First Aid Important?

Workplace injuries and medical emergencies can occur without warning. A prompt and appropriate response can help provide assistance to an injured or ill employee while professional emergency medical care is being obtained.

Employees should understand their employer's emergency procedures, know how to contact emergency medical services, and know the location of workplace first aid supplies and other emergency equipment.

OSHA Workplace First Aid Requirements

OSHA addresses medical services and first aid under 29 CFR 1910.151. Employers must ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of workplace health.

When an infirmary, clinic, or hospital used for the treatment of injured employees is not in near proximity to the workplace, OSHA requires a person or persons to be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies must also be readily available.

First Aid Supplies in the Workplace

Employers should maintain first aid supplies appropriate for the hazards and needs of their workplace. The type and quantity of first aid supplies may vary depending on factors such as the size of the workplace, number of employees, types of work performed, and hazards employees may encounter.

First aid supplies should be readily accessible so trained personnel can quickly provide assistance when an injury or medical emergency occurs.

CPR and Cardiac Emergencies

Cardiac emergencies can require immediate action. Employees should follow their workplace emergency response procedures and contact emergency medical services when a serious medical emergency occurs.

Employees who are expected or designated to provide CPR or other first aid should receive appropriate training and maintain any certifications required by their employer, industry, or applicable regulations.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a medical device designed to analyze heart rhythm and, when appropriate, deliver an electrical shock during certain cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

Workplaces that provide AEDs should establish appropriate procedures for their location, inspection, maintenance, and use and should provide appropriate employee training as part of the organization's emergency response program.

Responding to Bleeding, Burns and Other Injuries

Employees may encounter injuries ranging from minor wounds to serious bleeding, burns, electrical injuries, eye injuries, or other medical emergencies. Employees should follow established workplace procedures, use appropriate personal protective equipment when necessary, and obtain professional medical assistance when required.

Employees providing first aid should also take precautions against exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials when such exposure is reasonably anticipated.

Heat and Cold Emergencies

Workplace temperature extremes can contribute to medical emergencies such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, frostbite, and hypothermia. Employees working in hot or cold environments should understand the symptoms of temperature-related illness and know how to obtain appropriate assistance.

Serious heat or cold illness can require immediate professional medical attention. Employees should follow established emergency procedures whenever severe symptoms are present.

Poisoning and Overdose Emergencies

Poisoning or drug overdose can be a life-threatening emergency. Employees should immediately follow workplace emergency procedures and contact appropriate emergency medical services or poison-control resources when poisoning or overdose is suspected.

Employees should not attempt treatments outside their level of training and should provide emergency responders with available information about the substance involved whenever possible.

Where Can an Emergency First Aid Poster Be Displayed?

The Emergency First Aid Workplace Safety Poster can be displayed in highly visible employee areas such as:

First aid stations
Employee break rooms
Safety and training areas
Manufacturing facilities
Warehouses and distribution centers
Construction and maintenance facilities
Offices and administrative workplaces
Retail businesses
Restaurants and hospitality workplaces
Schools and educational facilities
Industrial workplaces

Is an Emergency First Aid Poster Required by OSHA?

OSHA establishes workplace requirements for medical services, first aid availability, trained first aid personnel in applicable circumstances, and readily available first aid supplies. However, this particular Emergency First Aid Workplace Safety Poster is intended as a supplemental employee safety and training resource and should not be represented as a universally required OSHA workplace poster.

This poster does not replace required first aid or CPR training, readily available first aid supplies, emergency medical services, workplace emergency procedures, employee training, or other applicable OSHA requirements.