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Medical training certifications and courses are a popular extra-curricular activity for companies looking to invest in their employees. Not only are these businesses adding fully trained medical assistants to their team, but there are also unseen benefits to the training that includes increasing employee satisfaction.

It doesn’t matter if individuals trained in first aid or are working in an office environment, factory setting, on a building site, or as a schoolteacher, the outcome is the same. That is having efficient first aid experts on-site that can properly deal with emergency medical situations. However, studies also show that aside from being able to deal with medical emergencies there are additional advantages to investing in first aid and medical training for your employees.

In today’s fast-moving work environments employees, managers, and HR departments are all looking for new ways to keep the workforce motivated. As a result, job satisfaction is now a key area that businesses focus on. Job satisfaction reduces turnover and creates continuity. The longer employees stay together, the less the company needs to invest resources and money on hiring and training new staff.

Where do first aid courses come into the equation?

In order to make sure employees do not jump ship companies are investing in courses that train their workforce to improve and evolve as a member of the company as well as an individual. Ultimately the idea is to make the employee feel valued.  One of the best ways to achieve this is team-building exercises and group training courses.

When employees are sent on a medical training course, not only do they get to do something different from their day to day tasks, they also get to add a valuable skill to their CV. Their medical/first aid knowledge makes the individual feel important and as a result, the employee should feel valued. When an employee is chosen to take on the responsibility of being one of the few first aid qualified individuals in the workplace it shows him/her that the company values them and trusts them as a person.

Adding to this, if you send multiple personnel on a first aid course, let’s one person from each department, then you are encouraging comradery between departments. Each worker from each department will work together on the same course to gain the same qualification and as such, they will have a skill in common. They will also get to know each other better, while had they not taken part in the first aid or medical course, their interaction may have been limited.

The outcome can only be positive for your business

First aid training for businesses is not just about having people on-site with the skill to deal with any potential medical emergencies, it can also be a team-building activity, create bonds within the workforce, and connect departments together that may not usually interact. On top of this, the employees involved will feel wanted by the company and not just another statistic on the payroll.

All these outcomes will also have the benefit of reducing the company’s employee turnover. Companies with low staff turnover are more efficient and productive than those with high staff turnover. 

Organisations in the UK have a responsibility to staff when it comes to health and safety in the workplace.

Training appointed staff in first aid and immediate medical care is highly important. The same goes for fire prevention.

In respect of fire precautions, it is extremely important that you make your workplace a safer environment for all concerned. This includes:

• The owner(s) of the business.
• All those you employ.
• Visiting colleagues.
• Customers and potential customers.

Who is responsible for appointing someone to look after fire safety?

This is the person who owns or controls the business or the premises on which business is carried out.

If this is a ‘shared responsibility’ – i.e. Landlord & Tenant – These two parties are obliged to co-operate.

So, if you are the owner of a business, you need to appoint someone as a designated fire warden (often known as fire safety officer). Obviously, the larger your staff numbers, the more fire wardens you will need.

Duties of a fire warden/fire safety officer:

These are wide and varied but include responsibility for correctly managing such things as:

• Fire Risk Assessment – By law, any business that employs 5 or more staff must complete and record (in writing) a fire risk assessment.
• Fire procedures – Devise fire procedures in the event of a fire – Example: Evacuation procedure.
• Company fire safety policy – Document and issue details to all staff. This policy should be explained to existing staff and included in induction training of new staff.

Also place written details of this policy in prominent areas of the workspace – i.e. Reception, General Office, Meeting Room, Kitchen, W.C.’s.

• Staff training – While this can be carried out by the fire warden(s) it is recommended that an outside, professional training company are used for major staff training sessions – Perhaps 2 per year for smaller companies, 4 per year for larger companies – With ‘in between’ training/advice given by fire wardens.
• Fire Drills – These should be carried out on a regular basis to ensure staff know exactly what to do in the event of a building fire breaking out and the evacuation procedure – Where they should congregate (stipulated assembly point) outside the building.
• Means of Escape/Signs & Notices – Clearly indicated escape routes, routes that are left uncluttered. Signs and short, sharp instructions should be displayed. Fire extinguishers placed appropriately and instructions on use/what type of fire they should be used on clearly displayed.
• Emergency lighting/Fire alarm – Periodically check both are in working order and have a notification system to advise staff of such testing (i.e. written and carried out in stone – “Fire Alarm/Emergency Lighting Test” will take place at 09.00hrs every Monday morning).
• Electrical extension leads – A continual check that electrical extension leads are not being overused / overloaded – This is a major source of fire in the working environment. Action needs to be taken if staff need additional power supplies.

Are you doing all you should be?

We have only really touched on what a Fire warden/Fire safety officers’ duty involves. As can be seen it will reap benefits by having a competent person(s) professionally trained to carry out such duties.

Please also remember that you should have a ‘deputy’ as the competent person will not always be present in the office (holidays, other outside training courses, sickness etc.).

Essex Medical Training can assist in helping you in such instances with either on or off-premise tuition. The price you will pay is a very small one for staff safety and peace of mind.

The Benefits Of Providing First Aid Training For Your Office Employees

Most of us quite rightly view the office as being a safe place to work. In the main, it is, but as the saying goes: “Accidents can happen”.

As sure as night follows day, accidents, injuries or employees taking ill while at work are things that will occur.

In the UK, companies have a legal requirement to ensure that employees receive immediate attention in the event it is needed.

With this in mind, here are just 5 reasons why your company should invest in First Aid Training for your workforce.

First Aid training can save lives!

If for nothing else, this has to be the most compelling reason to provide your staff with First Aid training.

It has been proved time and again in many different ‘real life’ situations that those with First Aid knowledge can help save lives.

A well-planned First Aid training course provided for employees who are keen to add to their knowledge will give them the confidence should an emergency situation arise.

Just as importantly, they will have the ability to respond immediately to an incident and attend to anyone who injures themselves. They will also be in a position to assist those colleagues who are taken ill.

An example of how this training can save lives rest in a person’s ability to apply CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

When someone is in need of CPR, this procedure is needed immediately.

The ability to understand when CPR is required and then to apply it correctly can most certainly save a colleague’s life. It is this procedure that can keep a person alive until emergency services arrive to take over treatment.

Forewarned is Forearmed!

As with anything in life; knowledge in advance can be highly useful. This is certainly the case when it is related to First Aid Training.

Through such training your employees will become more conscious of their own and their colleague’s safety. They will be far more aware of potential safety issues and how these can be avoided.

This recognition can help greatly when it comes to reducing the number of potential accidents and/or injuries in your workplace.

Being seen as a responsible employer

Being seen as a responsible employer by your workforce and prospective employees should be taken seriously. The benefits you gain will be many.

Making employees feel part of your business has been shown to improve loyalty, productivity and dedication.

Of course, there are many ways to achieve this feeling of belonging, but First Aid training can be highly beneficial when used as team building exercises. It is something that will bring teams closer together and boost morale.

It is a benefit that can be used outside of the workplace

By training your employees in First Aid you are giving them an invaluable asset. One that can be used outside of the workplace and one that they will be extremely grateful for.

Having knowledge of First Aid will give them the ability to treat themselves, their loved ones and friends. It will also allow them to effectively assist in any emergency situation that arises while they are out in public.

First Aid Training is something that benefits all concerned

Basic First Aid Training courses for your employees along with regular refresher courses will show that as a company you are concerned about staff welfare.

You will be fostering closer relationships between employees and ensuring that safety awareness protocols and procedures are established. The latter will certainly help when it comes to workplace related accidents or injuries.

On top of this you are providing an invaluable skill. One that will not only stay with them, but one that may well save a life!