1) Is a first aid kit mandatory for my company?
Yes. Under the Dutch Working Conditions Act, every employer in the Netherlands is required to provide the appropriate first aid equipment. An exception is sole proprietorships without employees. For all other organizations, a first aid kit is a legal requirement.
2) What requirements must a first aid kit meet?
There's no standard legal list of contents, but the kit must be tailored to your company's specific risks (defined in the Risk Inventory and Evaluation). In practice, the following guidelines apply:
- Accessibility: The suitcase must be accessible within 30 seconds.
- Visibility: Hang the suitcase in a logical place at eye level.
- Standardization: The Dutch "Oranje Kruis" standard is usually used as the standard for a complete suitcase.
- Sector-specific: Blue (HACCP) plasters and bandages are mandatory for the catering and food industries.
3) Is an AED legally required?
An AED is (still) not required by the Working Conditions Act. However, as an employer, you have a duty of care. The purchase of an AED is strongly recommended in the following cases:
- Large companies: The "FNV" recommends an AED for 50 or more employees.
- RI&E advice: If your Risk Inventory shows an increased risk (e.g. at sports facilities or public locations).
- Emergency Response Support: An AED is an essential tool for emergency response personnel to enable them to perform life-saving actions.
Tip: Install an AED on the exterior wall in an outdoor cabinet. This way, you not only help employees and visitors, but it is also accessible to "neighbors" outside office hours.
4) Is my business dangerous?
Every company has risks! What risks? These are identified in the Risk Inventory & Evaluation (RI&E). This document outlines the potential risks. Based on the RI&E, it is determined which tools and equipment need to be present.
Tip: Check your RI&E and whether the necessary resources are available.
5) 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.
6) Does it work or does it not?
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.
7) 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 A tidy space looks nice.
Escape routes must always be free of obstacles. This helps ensure that in an emergency, you can quickly get away without tripping over scattered items.
A tidy workspace is more pleasant to work in and prevents items from being scattered around.
Tip: Use the lean 5S method (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain). This contributes to a tidy workplace.
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.
8) 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.
9) 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.