FIRST AID KIT AND AED POLICY

1.  Purpose
   1.  The purpose of this policy is to guide the provision of first aid to people suffering injury or illness
   2.  First aid services are an important element of work health and safety, facilitating first initial treatment for:
      1. Injuries that may occur in the workplace.
      2.  Acute personal sickness that may impact on staff members, consumers, or others while at ESCO’s premises.
2. Definitions
   1.  First aid is the immediate, initial attention to a person suffering an injury or illness. The aims of first aid are to prevent the occurrence of further dangerous incidents, preservation of life, stabilization of the person’s condition, promotion of recovery, and protection and comfort of the person.
   2. First aiders are any people providing first aid.
   3. Premises include all of ESCO’s offices, shops, vehicles, job sites, and work areas.
3. Principles
   1.  The intent of a First Aid Kit
      1. It must be clearly understood that first aid kits are not intended to replace professional Emergency Medical Services. Rather, these kits are intended to allow persons to treat themselves and/or their co-workers for minor medical incidents.
      2. Any medical emergency which involves loss of consciousness, profuse bleeding, possible broken bones, head or neck injuries, serious burns, cardiovascular distress, or any other serious injury or illness should immediately be referred to a medical facility. Employees will be trained on the proper transportation and/or communications means for employees needing beyond first aid care medical attention. ESCO Group will provide the necessary items/equipment for prompt transportation for injured employees to medical services.
   2. First Aid Training
      1. It is important that the individual using the first aid kit is properly trained in doing so.
         1. Having the ‘First Aid/CPR/AED (Adult)’ training is classified as being properly trained.
         2. Training will include the use of eyewash stations or eyewash solutions if employees are exposed to any materials that may cause injury to the eyes.
   3. First Aid Kit Inspections
      1. Items in the First Aid Kits are to be checked each week by a competent person.
      2. The individual is to then sign and date the inspection sign-off sheet.
         1. When the inspection sheet is completely filled up, contact the safety department to turn it in for a new one.
      3. Items low on quantity, expired, missing, or seals broken on Eye & Skin Flushing Solution or Eye Wash are to be replaced from office supplies.
      4. If in need of first aid supplies, contact the safety department.
   4. First Aid Kit Locations
      1. Every ESCO Group vehicle, office, shop, job site trailer, and job-site work area shall have available the ESCO Group 22 unit First Aid Kit.
   5. First Aid Kit Contents
      1. Every ESCO Group first aid kit shall have the following items.
         1. Box of two protective gloves
         2. Box of 50 1” x 3” fabric bandage
         3. Box of 40 knuckle fabric bandage
         4. One aerosol bottle of antiseptic spray
         5. One bottle of the eye and skin flushing solution 8 oz
         6. One bottle of eyewash 4 oz.
         7. Box of 20 burn gel packets
         8. One roller gauze 1”
         9. One roller gauze 2”
         10. One roller gauze 3”
         11. Box of six 2”x2” sterile gauze pad
         12. Box of four 3” x 3” sterile gauze pad
         13. Box of four 4” x 4” sterile gauze pad
         14. One Gauze compress 36” x 36”
         15. Box of four eye pad w/adhesive strip
         16. One cold pack
         17. One adhesive tape 3 cut
         18. One tri-bandage
         19. One micro shield clear mouth barrier
         20. One pair of scissors
         21. One pair of tweezers
         22. One first aid manual
      2. The ESCO Group first aid kit shall also include an inspection sign off sheet and a list of all the contents contained in the kit.
4. AED
   1.  AED Purpose
      1. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is used to treat victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is only to be applied to victims who are unconscious, not breathing normally and showing no signs of circulation, such as normal breathing, coughing and movement.
      2. Chances of survival from sudden cardiac death diminish by 7-10 percent for each minute without immediate CPR or defibrillation. After 10 minutes, resuscitation rarely succeeds.
      3. The AED will analyze the heart rhythm and advise the operator if a shockable rhythm is detected. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the AED will charge to the appropriate energy level and advise the operator to deliver a shock if the AED has a shock button, or deliver the shock automatically if the AED does not have a shock button
   2. AED Training
      1. It is important that the individual using the AED is properly trained in doing so.
         1. Having the ‘First Aid/CPR/AED (Adult)’ training is classified as being properly trained.
   3. ESCO AED Locations
      1. ESCO has 3 automated external defibrillators.
         1. Marion Shop
         2. Marion Office
         3. Des Moines Office
      2. Some of ESCO’s clients have AED’s also.
         1. Employees should know the location of these AED’s as well.
   4. AED Inspections
      1. AEDs should be inspected monthly and after every use.
      2. Inspections should be made by a competent person.
      3. The person doing the inspection should fill out the inspection sheet and then sign and date the inspection tag.

AED/First Aid Checklist Sheets