When you ask people what they think a company’s most valuable asset is, you get a variety of answers. From their offices, to equipment, to portfolios—people value things differently. I would challenge that line of thinking and suggest people are the foundation of every organization. Protecting your people should be a fundamental practice for every company, regardless of size. Thousands of fatalities and millions of injuries occur in workplaces annually, and it is important to be prepared.

Invest in your people by providing First Aid and CPR training. Whether you work in an office or on a construction site, incidents occur every day. During an emergency, such as a person having a heart attack, timely response is critical. On average, depending on location, it takes emergency medical services (EMS) at least 15 minutes from the time a 911 call is placed to the time help arrives. By investing in your employees, you can provide them with the necessary skills to better handle emergency situations. Some of the benefits of providing First Aid/CPR training are:

  • Provides lifesaving skills that can be used anywhere
  • Builds self confidence in an emergency
  • Increases knowledge needed to prevent and correct dangerous situations
  • Creates a more positive work environment by making people feel secure
  • Helps minimize the impact of a serious medical incident
  • Raises awareness of dangerous tasks when working alone.

At RETTEW, we require all employees to complete First Aid/CPR training and recertify every two years. We regularly hear feedback from our staff about how they were able to apply this training and the difference it made in challenging situations. The following is one such story.

On the day after Christmas, my dad and I were using a hydraulic log splitter (which we have both used regularly for at least 15 years), and he decided ten digits were just too many. He was holding the bottom of the piece he was splitting, which was smaller than the plate’s base, and he pinched his pointer and middle finger between the splitter base and the log, smooshing the tip of his pointer off. His middle finger was damaged enough to split the skin and require stitches, but only sustained tissue damage.

The worst part for me was watching it happen. I stayed calm, shut off the splitter, and ran into the house to get a clean towel while he calmly said, “Yep, get the keys and a towel. My fingertip is in my hand.” We made great time to the hospital, and he was promptly treated and released. Thanks to my first aid training, I was able to act calmly in a stressful situation, I’ve helped him redress his injury, and he’s healing well. And, about that wood, I got to split the rest of it all by myself when we arrived home that night!

It’s impossible to place a value on a person’s life or quality of life, but if we can help a person during a medical emergency, then we have certainly done our part. There are many parts to play during an emergency, from calling 911 to grabbing an AED. One piece of that puzzle is just as important as the other. The most important questions still remains: Are You Prepared? 

Paul O’Donnell – Corporate Safety Manager, RETTEW 

Additional Offerings

Safety training and consulting are only some of RETTEW’s 600+ services. Our safety team works hand in hand with engineers, scientists, project managers, and other technical experts at places such as manufacturing facilities, drill pads, and commercial construction sites. We are well respected in many industries and known for ensuring workers and equipment remain safe, which keeps your projects on track and your bottom line growing.