New OSHA (194.07) First Aid Guidelines…

How do OSHA guidelines affect work comp premiums and insurance claims?  Here is a little detail on why first aid reportables can make all the difference….

First Aid or Recordable? New OSHA guidelines…..
Some workers’ compensation injuries are of such a minor nature that the law permits the employer to treat or refer for treatment of these injuries and pay for them privately rather than through the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. These injuries are known as First Aid and are not recordable injuries per OSHA guidelines and no claims file needs to be made up for them. All other injuries are considered Medical Treatment, which are recordable for OSHA guidelines and for which claims files are made up.

Due to the benefits employers derive from classifying injuries as first aid, it is necessary to understand which injuries can be so classified and when they must be reported to the insurer and to OSHA. This list of first aid treatments if comprehensive, i.e., any treatment not included on this list is not considered first aid for OSHA record keeping purposes. OSHA considers the listed treatments to be first aid regardless of the professional qualifications of the person providing the treatment; even when a physician, nurse, or other health care professional provides these treatments, they are considered first aid for record keeping purposes.

New Rules under OSHA 194.07
Note: MT = Medical Treatment FA = First Aid - 1 does of prescription medication now MT (Old rule: 2 doses MT)
- OTC med at prescription strength now MT (Old rule any dosage FA)
- Any number of hot/cold treatments now FA – (Old rule 2 or more treatments MT)
- Drilling a nail now FA – (Old rule MT)
- Butterfly bandage/Steri-Strip now FA – (Old rule MT)

All First Voice kits and Self-contained Emergency Treatment (SET) Systems are designed with careful consideration to these types of OSHA guidelines.  Contact us for more details on how first aid programs can be made easier for EHS and Safety Supervisors, 888-473-1777.  info@firstvoice.us

Press Release: First Voice Handling the Elements with Rugged First Aid System

Leading the way in multilingual workplace technology-aided first aid response

Hiawatha, Iowa, August 24, 2009 – Think Safe delivers state-of-the art upgraded first aid innovations consistently, while maintaining its track record of meeting and exceeding industry standards. The Rugged+AED Self-contained Emergency Treatment (SET) System is one of those innovations, providing a compact and low cost-of-ownership rugged AED, color-coded first aid supply bags, and the highly endorsed Emergency Instruction Device (EID) – all packaged in a rugged, waterproof Pelican case made to handle the toughest situations.

Donald Linder, doctor of emergency medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital – one of the nation’s

Dr. Donald Linder with the Emergency Instruction Device outside his hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Top 100 Heart Hospitals – says that the system is comprehensive and a key first aid tool to supplement CPR and first aid training. “With over 3.8 million disabling workplace injuries and over 250,000 Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) deaths in the US annually, and first aid and CPR skills studies showing only a six-week retention, First Voice provides a quality solution for the retention problem and the failure to have the right supplies immediately accessible.” In a SCA event, studies show that a 4-minute or less time to defibrillation is one of the keys to survival and recovery of the victim.

“Our Rugged+AED SET System adds high value by its tough versatility and easy to find color-coded supplies matching our First Voice EID’s audible and visual coaching prompts,” says CEO/President of Think Safe Paula Wickham. “This system is designed for any rough environment that is subject to the elements, or venue that is expected to comply with OSHA’s general industry and workplace first aid and AED requirements or recommendations.”

First Voice Rugged+AED SET System

The Rugged+AED SET System steps a responder through all major and minor first aid events with clear and calm multi-step instructions utilizing the EID and the coordinating first aid supplies, all housed (including the rugged AED**) in the Pelican case. The system is available from select distributors including CPR and First Aid Training Centers or first aid supplies and safety distributors nationally. More information can be found online.

All protocols within the system are compliant with 2005 approved ECC/American Heart Association and American Red Cross First Aid and CPR protocols. With a recently added new EID “Language” button responders can now hear emergency instructions in Spanish or English, with the capability of 20 or more additional languages available. The contents of the color-coded first aid supply bags allow the Rugged+AED SET System to meet and exceed OSHA and ANSI’s newly updated 2008 first aid compliance standards.

**AED is optional, added to fit specific needs

To learn more about the First Voice SET Systems, visit us online or feel free to call one of our experts today at 888.473.1777 today!

The Government’s Requirements on First Aid Preparedness

Be it running a company or working for one, you need to know what is recommended for first aid treatment and preparedness protocols. There are groups like Raise Your Hand trying to spread awareness, and of course the United States Department of Labor: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (commonly known as OSHA) does its part to spread the word too.

Here’s how OSHA puts it:

It is a requirement of OSHA that employees be given a safe and healthy workplace that is reasonably free of occupational hazards. However, it is unrealistic to expect accidents not to happen. Therefore, employers are required to provide medical and first aid personnel and supplies commensurate with the hazards of the workplace. The details of a workplace medical and first aid program are dependent on the circumstances of each workplace and employer.

OSHA even provides general information that may be of assistance here.

Here at Think Safe we spend a lot of time and energy into making sure our products not only meet OSHA’s standards, but exceed them as well. Be it the First Aid Cube, our Online Training, top-rated ResQr First Aid & CPR Coach, or the American Lifeguard Association-endorsed Emergency Instruction Device, the First Voice line of products are setting new standards in emergency first aid preparedness for the home or business.

Minimum’s mentality will never do when it comes to saving a life. Why risk everything by not taking the appropriate actions to ensure the safety of your loved ones and employees? If you need more encouragement, just remember that Uncle Sam says so too.