Does your office have a first aid kit? If so, do you know where it is located? Office first aid kits are the insurance policy that so often go underappreciated until they are needed. Knowing the importance of first aid can often be the difference between a quick fix and a costly trip to seek medical attention.
Consider these three benefits of office first aid kits.
1. Employee Productivity and Satisfaction
First aid kits do more than just treat injuries and relieve pain. They serve as a tangible sign of commitment from employer to employee. Knowing that workplace safety has been considered, planned for, and invested in puts employees at ease. In fact, studies show 89% of people feel valued when their employer provides a first aid kit.
The critical first aid components included in a properly stocked first aid kit can allow employees to continue shifts when accidents occur. That’s a win. But did you know first aid training can serve as an excellent team building exercise? Knowing how to act, where to go, and who to contact builds trust and strong relationships within the workplace. With a safety ecosystem in tack, your people will be prepared to act together when emergencies do occur.
2. OSHA Compliance
OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is the governing body for workplace safety in the United States. OSHA mandates that businesses of over three employees have first aid kits with a minimum of required first aid supplies. The supplies must be adequate, should reflect the kinds of injuries that occur, and must be stored in an area where they are readily available for emergency access.
From a management perspective, maintaining OSHA compliance is not only a commitment to proper operating procedure, it is a commitment to creating a culture that does not cut corners. In OSHA’s words, this negligence is classified as a “willful violation,” or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements.
In 2011, a fire at Texas Boat & Barge led to an OSHA investigation citing 39 serious violations, one of which found the only first aid kits located in an office approximately 300 yards away from the barge. The fines from the investigation totaled over $221,000, however the lives affected by lack of safety planning was a much larger price to pay.
3. Cost Savings
When coworkers’ well-being and hospital visits are on the line, the typical cost of maintaining office first aid kits seems extremely low. With any investment in life, the dividends may seem small in the short term. As in the example of the Texas barge fire, it only takes one unforeseen accident to make first aid and safety a priority in any workplace.
Minor cuts, bruises, aches, and pains are all accidents that can be remedied by an office first aid kit. If there are no resources available, those trips to urgent care facilities, drug stores, and in some cases the emergency room can add up quickly. A fully stocked first aid kit saves much more than money.
Aramark First Aid
The greatest benefit of office first aid is peace of mind. Numbers and reasoning aside, there is no better feeling than operating in an environment that has the resources necessary to handle anything. Sometimes first aid can be overwhelming. What do you need? How do you manage your program?
If you want to take the guess work out, click here to learn more about Aramark First Aid. We offer a hands-off solution to First Aid, providing everything you need to protect employees in one OSHA-standard box – inspected, stocked, and maintained by our trained professionals.
