Insider asked Formetco’s Safety Director Jim Poage to talk about the importance of safety training.  Someone recently used Jim’s training to save a life.

Who at an Out of Home company should receive CPR training?

This is one of the most frequent questions I get asked concerning CPR – First Aid classes, “who is required to be trained?” which to answer requires an understanding of regulations and a recognition of where the risk exist.

Most instructors, like myself, teach Basic Life Support which encompasses both CPR and First Aid.  OSHA says in the 1910.151 standard that there must be trained first aid providers at all workplaces of any size if there is no infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace.  Since there is no clear-cut definition for size of company requirements for training, and 911 emergency response times in some areas can be in excess of 20 minutes, there could be an argument made that everyone needs to be trained.  Also, even though OSHA as a general statement does not require but does recommend CPR training, there are several specific jobs that OSHA does require CPR training for as part of an emergency resuscitation plan.  Additionally, according to the National Safety Council, a person is 10 times more likely to be injured or killed off the job.  With this type of information, I would say everyone needs to be trained in CPR and First Aid.

Does Formetco do CPR training?

Formetco does offer CPR/First Aid training.  It is part of the Safety Training package that is provided a couple of times a year in Duluth, and in situations where there is a large enough group to make a class.  I have taught at different locations around the country, depending on the need.

I heard someone who received the training put it to use?

I have several emails and stories from people that have used different techniques that they learned in the class to treat an injured person or to save a family member from choking, but the most recent one was when a member of a class I taught last year found their 3 year old son floating, unconscious, unresponsive, and blue faced in a swimming pool.  They immediately signaled a person to call 911 and began applying the life saving techniques we went over in class.  The child began to come around as the ambulance arrived, and they took him to the local children’s hospital where they kept him overnight for observation.  Today, this child is alive because the parent took the time to learn how to respond in an emergency situation.

Any other thoughts on people learning CPR/First Aid?

My closing thought on the subject is that everyone, and I do mean everyone, should go through a CPR/First Aid.  It doesn’t matter if it is a class I am teaching, or one the local YMCA is teaching, you need this information.  Summer is when many children drown in pools and lakes.  If you are a parent, please learn these skills for your sake and for your child’s.  If you are not a parent, learn the skills so you can help.

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