Page 71 - OHS, June 2021

An AED can be used with CPR to restart a victim’s heart. It works by administering an electrical shock to the worker’s heart. The shock can restart the worker’s heart, allowing it to beat normally again and continue circulating oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
The C-A-Bs of CPR, not A-B-Cs
The American Heart Association re- arranged the ABCs of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in its 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
Previously, the Association recom- mended that lay and professional rescu- ers use the A-B-Cs (Airway-Breathing- Compressions) of CPR to revive victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Now, chest com- pressions are recommended as the first step, followed by airway and breathing or C-A-B for short.
The Association’s previous guidelines recommended looking, listening and feeling for normal breathing before starting CPR. People were instructed to open a victim’s airway by tilting their head back, pinch the nose and breath into the victim’s mouth and then start chest compressions—this delays oxygen-rich blood from being circulated through the body. Now, the Association recommends starting compressions immediately on anyone who’s unresponsive and not breathing normally.
All victims in cardiac arrest need chest compressions. In the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest, victims will have oxygen remaining in their lungs and bloodstream, so starting CPR with chest compressions can pump that blood to the victim’s brain and heart sooner. Research shows that rescuers who started CPR with opening the airway took 30 critical seconds longer to begin chest compressions than rescuers who began CPR with chest compressions.
Is Your AED Program on Life Support?
AEDs have a proven track record of saving lives. They are now widely available, safe, effective, portable and easy to use. As a result, the popularity of AEDs in the workplace is increasing.
For this reason, you may be thinking of purchasing, or already have purchased, one or more AEDs for your workplace as part of your first-aid management plan. You should also have a written program to help you effectively manage the AEDs in your workplace.
Obtaining an AED
OSHA recommends but doesn’t require that you have an AED in the workplace and doesn’t have any standards for AEDs. State laws and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually regulate AED use.
Each company should assess its own requirements as part of its first-aid response.However,OSHAdoessaythat an employer should consider having an AED available if:
■ Many people work closely together (e.g., assembly lines, office buildings)
■ Confined spaces are present
■ Electric-powered devices are used ■ Lightning may occur at outdoor
worksites
■ Workers may seek treatment for
heart attack symptoms
■ Fitness units and cafeterias are
located on-site
■ Companies operate remote sites
(e.g., off-shore drilling rigs, construction projects, marine vessels, power transmission lines and energy pipelines).
The FDA requires that you have a physician’s prescription to purchase an AED. The name of the physician and the date of the prescription should be noted in your written program.
When deciding upon the number of AEDs to purchase, keep in mind that responders must reach the victim, make an assessment and begin treatment within three to five minutes.
Assigning Responsibility
The written program should identify the individual who has overall responsibility for your AED program. AEDs need to be properly maintained and readily available for use. Placing one individual in charge makes it easier to ensure that maintenance schedules are followed, required training is completed and AED inspections and testing take place per manufacturer recommendations.
Some state laws require that a physician provide oversight of your AED program. Besides providing the prescription to purchase the AED, your medical professional can provide guidance on the number of AEDs needed, their distribution, user training and developing an emergency response plan. This information should be detailed in your written program.
Providing Training
The written program should include detailed training requirements for those who will use the AEDs. Training is inexpensive and readily available from various sources such as The American Red Cross and The American Heart Association. AED training can usually be added to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)classesthatworkplace emergency responders receive.
OSHA suggests that employees responding to an emergency be trained to: ■ Recognize sudden cardiac arrest and
notify EMS personnel
■ Perform CPR
■ Provide defibrillation with AED
■ Care for the victim until EMS
personnel arrive
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JUNE 2021 | Occupational Health & Safety 67
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