Guide recommends best practices for workplace first aid programs.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published a 28-page booklet to help employers and employees develop and implement effective workplace first aid programs.

The booklet, Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First Aid Program, discusses the goals and components of a worksite first aid program and the training requirements for program staff. It stresses that management leadership and employee involvement are essential if a workplace first aid program is to be effective. It also describes the main steps work organizations must take to launch and maintain such a program:

* Identify and assess workplace risk;

* Design a program that is specific to the work, site and complies with OSHA first aid requirements;

* Instruct all workers about the program, including what to do if a coworker is injured or becomes ill; and

* Evaluate and modify the program to keep it current, including regularly assessing the first aid training course.

The guide is available free of charge on OSHAs Website, www.osha.gov.