First aid in the company: Only those who are well prepared can save lives in an emergency

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Berlin, September 6th, 2018 -
Good preparation can save lives in an emergency. Therefore, everyone in the company should know how to deal with an emergency. This is what the employers' liability insurance associations and accident insurance companies want to point out as part of their prevention campaign. Particularly important: good organization of first aid and communication of the topic in the company.

Good preparation can save lives in an emergency. Therefore, everyone in the company should know how to deal with an emergency. (Photo: Monuta)

Communicate important information about first aid in advance
A basic tool to prepare everyone in the company for emergencies is annual instruction. Here, important information about the course of first aid is passed on to the employees. The following aspects are important:

• Which persons are first aiders in the company and how can they be reached?


• Where and how can an emergency call be made?


• Who should the accident be reported to?


• Where is the first aid material, e.g. first-aid kits or possibly automated defibrillators, located?


• How are rescue units routed to the emergency site?

"To make the annual instruction particularly impressive, it is also a good idea to show employees in the company, for example, where to find defibrillators and how to start the voice control of an automated defibrillator," explains Dr. Horst Reuchlein from the administrative professional association (VBG) and head of the first aid department of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). "Because the more specific the instruction is, the better the employees are prepared for the emergency." Also in the form of a notice, for example the first aid poster, the employees must be informed about emergency calls, first aid material and corresponding first aid personnel.

Organize first aid effectively
"The basic requirement for good first aid in the company is, of course, that first responders in the company are named by the company and their names and jobs are communicated," said Reuchlein. "Depending on the size of the company, companies are obliged to train and have a certain number of first aiders trained on a regular basis." First aiders must be ready to help in an emergency. Even minor injuries must be treated as part of first aid. If necessary, the transport must be arranged for medical treatment. In addition, first aiders can also be commissioned to document first aid services. Control of the first aid material, such as the first aid kit, can also be transferred to the first aider. First aiders make an important contribution to safety and health in the company and thus contribute to a positive prevention culture.