First Aid in the Workplace: Training, Drills, and Equipment

First aid preparedness in the workplace must be tailored to the risks, the number of employees, where the work is performed, and how long it takes for professional help to arrive. Equipment alone is not enough. Employees must know where the equipment is, how to use it, and who does what when a serious incident occurs.

This guide shows how your company can combine theory, hands-on practice, local procedures, and the proper first-aid equipment.

What are an employer's responsibilities?

The employer must ensure a fully safe work environment and adapt emergency preparedness measures to the conditions at the workplace. The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority emphasizes, among other things, that first-aid equipment must be accessible, complete, and familiar to employees, and that employers must provide training and practice in its use.

Read the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority's guidelines on first aid supplies and training.

What should a first-aid risk assessment include?

• what kinds of accidents, injuries, and acute illnesses may occur
• number of employees, shifts, working alone, and geographic distribution
• distance and expected response time for medical assistance
• need for first-aid cabinets, portable first-aid kits, eye wash stations, or other specialized equipment
• the need for a defibrillator and who should know how to use it
• Whoever calls 113 is met by emergency responders and coordinates the response

What skills should employees have?

A basic training program should better equip employees to secure the scene of an incident, assess consciousness and breathing, call 113, and begin life-saving measures. The training should also cover CPR, the use of an AED, severe bleeding, airway obstruction, and injuries relevant to the workplace.

Helsenorge emphasizes that an unconscious person who is not breathing normally requires emergency first aid, and that a defibrillator should be connected as soon as possible after CPR has begun. In a real emergency, call 113.

Online courses and hands-on training serve different purposes

An online course is well-suited for providing a common understanding of the theory, reviewing the correct sequence, and documenting a knowledge test. It can be completed flexibly across shifts and work locations.

Hands-on training, on the other hand, provides experience with chest compressions on a training manikin, the use of an AED, and teamwork and communication under time pressure. An organization should therefore not present a purely theoretical course as if it were proof of practical skills.

How often should the training be repeated?

The need for training should be assessed based on risk, roles, and how often the skills are used. The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority recommends that there always be first aid responders at the workplace who receive regular training, preferably every 1–1.5 years. Changes in equipment, work processes, facilities, or staffing may necessitate refresher training sooner.

A Simple Plan for Your Business

1. Assess the risks and scope of first aid preparedness.
2. Designate individuals and clarify roles for all shifts and work locations.
3. Complete the theory and documentation knowledge test.
4. Practice CPR, the use of an AED, and how to respond to relevant emergency situations.
5. Review the placement and use of local equipment.
6. Conduct an exercise and improve your procedures afterward.
7. Plan for equipment maintenance and inspection.

What should the documentation show?

The documentation should distinguish between theoretical training, practical training, and on-site drills. Record who participated, the date, the content, the instructor, and any follow-up actions that may be required. This will make it easier to see whether all shifts and work locations have actually been covered.