Poison Control Hotline  October 15, 2002

These simple steps can help you save children from environmental hazards around the home:

1. Always store pesticides and other household chemicals, including chlorine bleach, out of children's reach -- preferably in a locked cabinet.

2. Always read directions carefully because pesticide products, household cleaning products, and pet products can be "dangerous" or ineffective if too much or too little is used.

3. Before applying pesticides or other household chemicals, remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep children and pets away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended on the label.

4. If your use of a pesticide or other household chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the container and remove it from children's reach. Always use household products in child-resistant packaging.

5. Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or drink (like soda bottles), and never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them.

6. When applying insect repellents to children, read all directions first; do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin; do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands or directly on the face; and use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing, but do not use under clothing.

7. Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often, and regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to reduce potential exposure to lead dust.

8. Get your child tested for lead if you suspect he or she has been exposed to lead in either your home or neighborhood.

9. Inquire about lead hazards. When buying or renting a home or apartment built before 1978, the seller or landlord is now required to disclose known lead hazards.

10. If you suspect that lead-based paint has been used in your home or if you plan to remodel or renovate, get your home tested. Do not attempt to remove lead paint yourself. Call 1-(800)-424-LEAD for guidelines.

Safety Bulletin

First Aid & CPR

Who Must be Trained and When?

March 6, 2002

1. Must an employer have individuals trained to render first aid?

Answer: Yes.  The OSHA requirement in 29 CFR 1910.151(b) states, " In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available."  

Note: First/Aid CPR Training is available from Telephone AT&S as part of our service.

2. How close to a clinic must a business be located to be in "near proximity" as listed in the law?

Answer: "In areas where a accidents resulting in suffocation, severe bleeding, or other life-threatening or permanently disabling injury or illness are likely, a 3 to 4 minute response time, from time of injury to time of administering first aid is required.

 Where life threatening or permanently disabling injury is an unlikely outcome of an accident, a longer response time, such as 15 minutes, is acceptable. 

 The rationale for requiring a 4 minute response time is brain death when the heart or breathing has stopped." 

3. Would a company of 10 to 25 be exempt from compliance with first aid/CPR regulations because it is too small?

Answer: "No, there are no exemptions from this regulation due to a company's size." 

4. If employees have been trained in first aid, do they need to be designated or assigned first aid duties?

Answer: "No, the regulation does not require employers to assign employees first aid duties. (It does require training as listed above)" 

5. Does the bloodborne pathogen standard apply to these individuals with first aid training?

Answer:  "Employees who are designated to provide first aid as a primary or collateral duty are covered by the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard:

however, employees who perform unanticipated 'good Samaritan acts' are excluded from coverage by the standard, since such an action does not constitute 'occupational exposure'. "

AT&S NOTE: Answers above are quoted from OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.151(b) and OSHA letters of interpretation. All materials quoted are available.  

6. How often must first aid training be accomplished?

Answer: First aid skills and knowledge should be reviewed every three years.                 CPR has different requirements.

Reference: OSHA Directive CPL 2 – 2.53 Guidelines for First Aid Programs

7. Is CPR required as part of first aid?

Answer: For Inside and outside plant technicians CPR is required.  (Reference: 1910.268(c)

In other areas (see # 2) Basic adult CPR training "should be included in the program." Reference: OSHA Directive CPL 2 – 2.53 Guidelines for First Aid Programs

8. What is the recommended renewal interval for CPR cards?

Answer: Two years. OSHA does not provide or certify first-aid/CPR programs. It does recognize national association standards from agencies such as the American Red Cross, The National Safety Council and American Heart Association. OSHA's written recommendation of one year dates from a time when all associations agreed on that interval. They no longer agree. See below.

The National Safety Council follows American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. Telephone AT&S Program CPR training is provided through the National Safety Council. See AHA below.

American Heart Association "Two-year renewal/expiration dates must be designated on all American Heart Association (AHA) Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) course cards. Employers may determine if their employees need more frequent training. However, all AHA course cards are valid for 2 years. Community Training Centers (CTCs) must follow this policy on all AHA ECC course cards." http://www.aha-cpr.org/  (March 2002)

The American Red Cross" recommends annual recertification in CPR skills training. However, among organizations that teach CPR to lay rescuers, there is little consensus about how often skills training is needed." http://www.redcross.org/  March, 2002