Know OSHA's requirements for first aid training

Though OSHA doesn't have first aid training requirements for all industry sectors, any sector that places employees in harm's way generally has OSHA training requirements. Be familiar with these requirements to make sure that your business is in compliance.

I recommend: OSHA posts first aid training requirements for industry sectors and updates them on a regular basis. You can find specific training requirements for general industry; electric power generation, transmission and application; power distribution and commercial diving operations.

Choose solid on-site first aid training classes

Research shows that employees retain the most information from training programs that have a strong hands-on element. The easiest way to deliver hands-on first aid training is to find a training company to come to you. A comprehensive first aid training program incorporating basic first aid, CPR, AED and bloodborne pathogens gives your employees the tools they need to handle the first response to most medical emergencies.

I recommend: OSHA has partnered with The American Red Cross to create first aid, CPR, AED and bloodborne pathogen training classes that can meet businesses’ needs, providing first aid certification to employees. The American Safety and Health Institute provides a combined class to cover basic first aid, as well as CPR and AED. Cintas also offers training programs, including CPR, which is a good idea if you have a Cintas AED on site. Regardless of the first aid training you choose, make sure it offers your employees certification.

Incorporate web-based training

Though hands-on training is a must, especially when it comes to CPR, choosing a blended training method allows your employees to complete some of the training at their own pace and then come together as a group to practice the hands-on techniques. A blended approach can also save you money.

I recommend: The American Red Cross and the International CPR Institute (ICPRI) offer blended learning approaches, combining the best of online and hands-on CPR and first aid training. You can choose from basic first aid, CPR or AED online training. Emergency University also offers custom blended first aid training classes for businesses. With all of these first aid training classes, employees receive their first aid certification after they complete the on-site portion of the training.