Safety First

In the dog world, you may often see dogs wearing life vests when in or around a body of water or a backyard pool. While many dogs will swim without issue, others will not and need the added safety of a life vest. A small business is no different when it comes to ensuring added safety features.

First, make sure you or someone in your building is CPR Certified. Twice in my corporate career I faced colleagues experiencing chest pain. I learned I needed to be right in front of the person in distress as 911 had some very specific questions they needed answered about the appearance of any seizures. The minutes before the ambulance arrives are absolutely critical. Stay on the phone with emergency personnel, they have the training to help you help your colleague until first responders arrive.

Second, find a health insurance card of the person in distress. That was the second piece of information emergency personnel will be looking for. It helps them identify the person, their insurance coverage, and can lead to contacting their next of kin and can identify known health issues rapidly. Always make sure anyone in your office space has such a card on them and readily available, usually in their wallet.

Other items to ensure your office is safety enabled include pillows to support a person’s head, a blanket to cover them in case of seizures or chills, and the requisite first aid kit,. Small washcloths can also come in handy if the person is sweating or perspiring.

That old saying of ‘it is better to be safe than sorry’ really applies here. You never know when you or someone visiting your space may need help. You want to make sure you are equipped with as many safety items as possible. Hopefully, you will never need them.

However, a few decades of working long hours with others taught me differently. And when I see photos like today’s Blog photo, I am reminded how important being prepared and having a safe work environment for whatever may cross your path is.

Be well.