Respected All,

Numerous standards promulgated by the Govt. of Pakistan and Provincial Governments to manage H&S contain requirements for employee training. Different phrases used to highlight the importance of trainings or explicitly mentioned training names and/or subjects to provide trainings to their workforce. Typically, these standards state “the employer must provide training to affected employees,” or similar language. Unfortunately we focus more on quality and production and overlooked some occupational safety training requirements those are more emphasized in our local laws. Here  as well we differentiate from full-time to part-time employees, direct to contract employees and day-shift to night-shift employees. The training requirements for the categories mentioned above should not be overlooked but we tend to see things differently.

Today we will talk about the first aid training requirements. It is believed that proactive approach and behavior emphasis is beneficial for organizations to take the matters addressed by local laws and industry requirements to avoid losses and comply law.

Organizations of all kinds are increasingly concerned with achieving and demonstrating sound occupational health and safety (OH&S) performance by controlling their OH&S risks and workplace injuries and illnesses is major concern. Many organizations do so in the context of increasingly stringent legislation or some of the offices are giving more emphasis and are now monitoring their implementation.

Below are some of the categories where first aid training requirements should be evaluated and should not be overlooked.

• Newly hired employees must be trained in first aid awareness sessions before they are exposed to hazards. Unfortunately, some companies provide a quick “safety orientation/induction” that covers very little of the required information and mostly does not involve trainings. They should take serious steps to do a proper, thorough orientation involving awareness level sessions for the new hires.

• Part-time employees must also be trained in situations in which employee training is required. Just because part-time employees do not work for complete shift or 48 hours a week does not mean they are exempt from local requirements as the Factories Act does impose some requirements on seasonal industry/factories.

• Temporary service employees must also receive all required safety training. Employers are responsible for providing site-specific training for employees on the hazards of the workplace and procedures that are required to work safely. Companies should pay careful attention to the temporary service/workforce to ensure nothing is omitted or forgotten.

• Night shift workers often get overlooked when it comes to employee safety training. Most companies often overlooked employee safety training programs for night/late shift workers. They should also consider other contributing factors those may delay the emergency response in night times as well.

• Management personnel may need to be included in training efforts too. Oftentimes, we observe that workers have been thoroughly trained, while the middle or higher management staff (who might have the same exposures) did not attend the training classes.

• Office workers are often overlooked and claims that there are no hazards for office workers. Secretaries, accountants, bank officials, floor managers, lower clerical staff or other office workers might stay in the office most of the time, but they still need training on applicable topics, such as emergency action plans, CPR, AED, Fire Safety and evacuation routes.

• Employees who work at remote/client locations whether permanently or temporarily, should have training and facilities to manage injuries during travel or work at remote/client locations. Such staff might need additional trainings on hazards and procedures specific to their work area.

• Employees exposed to new hazards, such as those working in a revamped work operation where new chemicals, equipment, or machinery are provided, may also need additional training on first aid as per the recommendations of Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS).

• Other employee categories could also exist. Please leave a comment if you think of anything that I might have overlooked.

First Aid to Save A Life! Pakistan provide first aid trainings & consultancy services to establish, implement and maintain emergency management systems. First Aid to Save A Life! Pakistan (FATSAL Pakistan) provides a range of training (accredited and non-accredited) programs. FATSAL is an approved and registered training center by MEDIC First Aid International in Pakistan and is the only training center by MEDIC First Aid International in Pakistan to conduct registered training programs.

First Aid to Save a Life Pakistan is best option for your training needs. Our training courses are specifically designed to help businesses comply with workplace first aid requirements. The instructional design of MEDIC First Aid training programs uses a video-based, instructor-facilitated, systematic approach that helps to ensure consistent training.

We are confident that one time investment in our courses will pay-off for a long term yet effective training benefits in retention of skills and knowledge.

To Your Safety & Growth,
Faisal Javed Mir & First Aid to Save a Life Pakistan

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