Having a trained coworker nearby can mean the difference between life and death during a workplace emergency, according to Bree Husted, environmental health and safety assistant at Fuller Industries Inc.
Husted led the company’s annual first aid training Thursday afternoon in the cafeteria, where she emphasized that while prevention is the goal, preparation is the reality.
"Our goal is to provide a workplace free of hazards," Husted said. "However, it is simply unrealistic to expect that accidents will never happen."
While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not strictly require annual training, it does mandate that employers prepare workers for emergencies. Husted said regular refreshers are vital for maintaining the skills needed to handle life-threatening situations.
The training defined first aid as immediate, one-time treatment administered at the scene of an injury. It is designed to be effective even with minimal technology or specialized equipment.
Instruction focused on several high-stakes scenarios:
· Assisting non-breathing victims
· Clearing airway obstructions (choking)
· Treating burns and broken bones
· Managing shock
"No injury is too small for immediate treatment," Husted said. "We’ve seen minor splinters or puncture wounds quickly turn into infections that threaten an employee's health or even a limb."
Husted noted that Fuller Industries tailors its medical supplies and personnel to match the specific hazards of its facility. She reminded staff that while their skills are the "first line of defense," they must never hesitate to call 911 for serious incidents.
About Fuller Industries Inc.
Based in Great Bend, Kan., with a rich heritage dating back over a century to the Fuller Brush Man, Fuller Industries is a leading American manufacturer of industrial products, including cleaning chemicals and supplies, as well as brooms, mops, brushes and more. Fuller serves manufacturing, commercial, institutional and agricultural clients across the Western Hemisphere. Call 620-792-1711 or visit Fullerindustriesllc.com.