Typical onboarding involves a basic training process of HR procedures, job expectations, office details, and more. But make sure you don’t forget safety and first aid training as well. First aid training should be a priority for new hires, and it also needs to be revisited consistently with the entire staff. You may think first aid training can be a one-and-done situation, but employees will need a refresher. Here are some reasons to provide first aid training for all employees, new and old.
- Faster emergency response time: We hope your business doesn’t have to endure a life-threatening emergency, but if a situation does occur, trained employees will be able to respond quickly, calmly, and confidently. Knowledgeable responses in a timely manner are your best bet to saving lives.
- Keep up with recent advice: It’s common for best practices to shift as new information becomes available. Makes sure your employees know the appropriate ways to respond to emergencies by hiring a training company that keeps up with all changes and updates. For example, it used to be common to add heat to a sprain or to always use a tourniquet for a bleeding wound, but both of these old tactics could only make things worse. Current first aid training will dispel common myths than end up being more problematic than helpful.
- Stay up to code: OSHA requires specific safety trainings for specific industries. By prioritizing safety training at your business, you can be sure you’re meeting the codes and requirements of your industry standards.
- Reduce accidents in the workplace: Training will help employees be more aware of their actions, which will likely result in a reduction of accidents and injuries. Cognizant employees are beneficial to everyone.
- Employees can take their knowledge home: Good first aid training at work encourages employees to take their knowledge home, making their personal lives safer as well. It provides the confidence to respond (or not respond) to situations in the right way.
- Promotes a positive work environment: You may hear some employees complain about “wasting time” on safety trainings, but when it really comes down to it, enforcing safety protocols tells employees you care about them and want them to be safe while they’re on and off the clock. This alone is a good morale booster and employees will appreciate the concern by management.
- Creates a more effective work environment: Safety should always come first, and when you have a team that is confident in their actions, they’ll be able to perform their duties more effectively. Over time, you should see a more productive team.