In March 2007, an employee at the Oakdale Hershey chocolate factory lost an arm while working the late shift. Erica Domen was alone when she reached into a machine to clean it. The machine switched on accidentally and took her arm off at the shoulder. Although doctors were not able to save Domen's arm, her coworkers' quick action in applying pressure to the wound with a cloth may have saved her life.

This tragic event underscores the crucial importance of first aid training and quick thinking.

California employers are required to ensure that medical treatment is readily available if illness or injury occurs on the job, including a response time of three to four minutes in life threatening emergencies, longer for less serious cases. If the location of your workplace makes this response time impossible, California law requires you to have first aid supplies on hand and employees trained in first aid procedures.

You must also regularly inspect your first aid materials to be sure they are sanitary, well stocked, and in usable condition. In addition, if your workplace is more than 30 minutes from ambulance service, your supplies must include stretchers and blankets or other material to provide cover. If corrosive materials are on the premises, you must provide quick-drench showers and eye-wash facilities.

Furthermore, if your workplace is isolated, you must have on-site medical facilities, or equipment necessary to transport injured persons to a doctor, or a telephone communication system that allows for quick contact with a doctor, or some combination of these safety elements designed to reduce delay.

Since chances are that, for most workplaces, the time needed for emergency personnel to arrive will exceed three to four minutes, you will need to make sure there are always employees available with first aid training.

Additional Resources:

"Best Practices: Putting Together a First Aid Kit: What to Consider, What to Include," in the January 2007 issue of COCA (Requires subscription or trial)

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