Checklist: Medical services and first aid

The medical services and first-aid checklist — from the Small Business Safety and Health Handbook — was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The checklist is based on several sources, including OSHA standards and generally accepted safety and health principles. It is designed to help small businesses assess their readiness to handle a medical or first-aid incident.

The checklist is meant to be used as a general guide — not to assess a company’s compliance with the OSH Act or OSHA standards.

• A hospital, clinic or infirmary for medical care is located near the workplace.
• If a medical facility is not located near the workplace, at least one worker on each shift is adequately trained and qualified to render first aid.
• Medical personnel are readily available for advice and consultation on matters of workers’ health.
• Fully supplied first-aid kits are easily accessible to each work area, are adequate for the particular area or operation, and are periodically inspected and replenished as needed.
• Workers who only render first aid as a collateral duty are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves.
• Workers who are expected to respond to medical emergencies as part of their job responsibilities have received first-aid training; had hepatitis B vaccinations made available to them; had appropriate training on procedures to protect them from bloodborne pathogens, including universal precautions; and have available and understand how to use appropriate PPE to protect against exposure to bloodborne diseases.
• Any worker who had an exposure incident involving bloodborne pathogens received an immediate post-exposure confidential medical evaluation and follow-up.
• Emergency phone numbers are posted.

Source: NIOSH and OSHA