So, what is the difference between volunteers and being volunteered and does it matter?
Yes, is the short answer and I want to explain here why I think it makes a difference!
I teach many people from all walks of life in first aid for the workplace. Once the introductions have finished, I ask this question. “So, who has volunteered to be here and who has been volunteered?” As you can imagine I get many different answers to this one simple question!
So why is it important to consideration the willingness of your staff when selecting first aiders for the workplace?
Firstly, we need to have people in the role that are happy to help someone in need! I know everyone is very likely to want to help but when it comes to it can they actually help?
Have you ever asked your employees if they are ok with the sight of blood? How comfortable are they in having to call the emergency services? Or just simply would they be comfortable in being a first aider at work!
Most people would say yes and have actually asked to attend the course, they know that first aid isn’t just for the workplace it is a brilliant transferable skill for life! But there are others that the very thought of first aid scares them and I don’t mean that flippantly, they are so anxious about having to deal with an injured or sick person it is mental and physically too much for them! And let’s be honest if you are injured or sick, you would want someone with a bit of confidence to help you and not that person that is on the wrong side of their fight or flight instinct (I have seen it happen!)
Company’s talk about getting the right person into the right role, first aiders in your workplace also need to be considered carefully for the reason stated above.
There are so many different scenarios that requires the skills and help of first aiders, we could not imagine them all but as an employer you would have done a risk assessment on the hazards associated with your place of work and the task being carried out. So, you would have some idea of the potential injuries that could be received if your control measures fail for whatever reason. On this basis you could then make sure the right people are in the role of first aider.
There are many industries like the railway that trains everyone within the organisation to a level of first aid and this will be dictated by their job. For example, those that work trackside will be trained in emergency first aid for electrical accidents and on how to deal with casualties that come into contact with the 3rd rail (electrified part of the track) or the overhead lines, actions for the different source of electrical injuries need to be treated differently, this is why they are all trained and refreshed every 2- 3 years. These individuals are also trained in tourniquets due to the nature of the work and the likelihood of the resulting injury! Could they all be volunteers here? No, but what they understand when interviewing for the job is that first aid is a mandatory requirement for having that job so it is talked about at the interview stage.
People that work at height and that are using harnesses in a fall arrest application should have the knowledge on the first aid procedure for someone that has been suspended (Suspension Intolerance). Let’s be honest if you were sacred of heights you wouldn’t seek out a career in scaffolding or roof work this is the same for someone that doesn’t like the sight of blood in a first aid role!
If I ruled the world! (Ha ha) I would like to make it compulsory for everyone to have first aid training! The immediate actions before the emergency services arrive could be the difference between life and death! I don’t rule the world but what I can control is the competency of the first aiders in my company, I would want capable, confident and willing people to be in that role. So, ask the questions, speak to them and see if you have any volunteers before just sending any old (or young) employee on a first aid course! Don’t just tick that good old compliance box! Have a chat!
By Sara Quayle
If you would like any further information on first aid course for work or the home or working at height safety please get in touch. www.saraquaylesafety.co.uk
