When should you have an onsite company clinic?
OSHA stands for The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. OSHA standards are particularly influential in the oil and gas industry where it’s recommendations often become global standards translated into corporate policy.
Companies have been required by OSHA to provide prompt first aid, which means having first aid supplies and trained first aid providers available if no treatment facilities are located nearby. There should be “medical personnel available for advice and consultation,” and “facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body” in the event of exposure to “corrosive materials” (29 CFR 1910.151).
According to the OSHA Small Business Handbook, employees responsible for emergency medical response should be given training in first aid.
What is a nearby facility?
When asked to clarify the meaning of “nearby” treatment facilities, OSHA stated that there should be emergency care available within 3-4 minutes of the workplace where the potential for life threatening accidents exists (for example, suffocation or electrocution). Offices and other workplaces with a lower risk of injury have up to 15 minutes to reach treatment facilities. Certain industries with remote work environments, such as electric power and logging, are required to provide first aid training to their employees.
Larger companies may have an on-site medical staff to deal with medical emergencies. Smaller companies should assign an individual to keep medical supplies up-to-date and restocked, and to act as the company contact in the event of a medical emergency. Phone numbers of the nearest emergency department and ambulance service should be readily available. Companies should have a plan in place which specifies who and when to call in the event of a medical emergency according to Industrial Safety and Hygiene News.
About Us
The Flying Doctors Nigeria is a member of the British Safety Council that specializes in providing medical solutions such as air ambulance and medical evacuation, ground ambulance procurement and leasing, remote medical services such a medical staffing, online company clinic set-up, site clinic management, occupational health, medical evacuation insurance and other health consultancy services for the oil & gas industry as well as other corporate, military and non-governmental organizations.
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