1) Is first aid now mandatory?

This answer is simple, YES.

Emergency response (BHV) is mandatory for every employer, as stipulated in the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet). "Every employer is obligated to take measures in the area of emergency response (BHV). An employer must be well prepared for accidents, fires, and evacuations. Every employer has a general duty of care, which means they must ensure the safety and health of their employees."

Tip: Check whether there are enough first responders and whether the certificate is still valid.

2) Is my business dangerous?​

Every company has risks. What risks are identified is revealed by your Risk Inventory & Evaluation (RI&E). This identifies potential risks. Based on these risks, you can determine which resources should be available.

Tip: Check your RI&E and whether the necessary resources are available.

3) Isn't it expensive?

Properly arranging safety requires investment. The downside is that if you don't, you run a greater risk of (longer) absences and/or being held liable. It's simply a requirement.

A safe work environment also increases motivation and enhances the company's image. It's a win-win situation.

Tip: Don't just look at the costs, but also look at what it brings to your company.

4) Does it or doesn't it?

The items present must also be in good condition.

You wouldn't want to use a dusty bottle of eyewash to rinse your eyes, and imagine someone having a cardiac arrest and the AED having a dead battery. Valuable time would be lost looking for a working AED.

Tip: Check annually (or at shorter intervals if the environment requires it) whether everything is still working properly.

5) How do I prepare my company?​

1. Where is it again? In an emergency, every second counts.

Tip: Make sure the location of the resources is known to everyone and recognizable from a distance.

2. It's really dark. Everyone can always find everything, but if the light suddenly goes out, it's a different story, resulting in tripping hazards and accidents.

Tip: Make sure you have sufficient and working emergency lighting and check it annually.

3.Opgeruimd staat netjes. 
Vluchtwegen moeten altijd vrij van obstakels zijn. Dit draagt er aan bij dat bij een calamiteit je snel weg kunt komen en je niet struikelt over rond slingerende spullen.

Een opgeruimde werkplek werkt plezieriger en voorkomt dat spullen rond gaan slingeren.

Tip gebruik de De lean 5S methode (Sorteren,Schikken, Schoonmaken, Standaardiseren, Standhouden). Dit draagt bij aan een opgeruimde werkplek.

4. Discuss safety and unsafety. Everyone knows the saying, "After the calf has drowned they close the well." It's important to discuss safety and unsafety. That's the starting point for working more safely.​

Tip: Make sure people can talk freely, otherwise this can even lead to psychological problems.

6) I still have doubts

Safety is becoming increasingly important. For smaller organizations, it's often a side issue, not a necessity. Make sure it's properly arranged from the start.

Tip: Take a look at your organization's current status and how things are organized. Prevention is better than cure.

7) Help, I can't figure it out anymore!

Safety isn't something you learn overnight; it's something you build up gradually. You'll then "automatically" move up the safety ladder.

Tip: If you can't see the forest for the trees, contact an expert. This will save time and ensure professionalism.