first aid for buisness
Commercial first aid
In June 2022, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) adopted the First Aid Vision 2030, which aims to increase the access of first aid training to people and communities worldwide, with the goal of having at least one person trained in first aid in every home, school and workplace. First aid is the immediate assistance given to a sick or injured person, or a victim of an accident or illness, by providing first aid in order to avoid the aggravation of his or her condition and to preserve his or her physical and mental integrity while waiting for the arrival of the emergency services. The effectiveness of first aid has been demonstrated on many occasions, notably through the experiences and stories of people who survived or recovered more quickly thanks to the rapid intervention of one of their relatives or a citizen trained in first aid. Since the risks of accidents and injuries are present on a daily basis and in different places (home, work, school, public roads, etc.), it seems essential to train as many people as possible in order to better anticipate these risks and to be able to protect and help people in distress.
In the professional world in particular, the rate of illness and injury is highest due to exposure to various risks and hazards related to the company’s economic activity and the employees’ work environment (toxic substances, cutting machines, construction, etc.). The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that in 2020, approximately 2.78 million people died as a result of an occupational accident or disease. In addition, every year, 374 million non-fatal occupational accidents occur (accidents that result in more than 4 days of absence from work). In view of these alarming figures, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world are redoubling their efforts to train as many employees as possible in companies and in the professional world in general. Although many organisations and companies are using first aid training services, there is still a lot of awareness and advocacy work to be done and the effectiveness of first aid in the workplace needs to be further demonstrated in order to encourage the training of employees.
Moreover, in small and large companies, the employer or the organisation in charge of hiring workers have a responsibility towards them, even if it is not enshrined in the national law. In some countries, this duty consists in providing a framework for first aid training at the workplace. Given that numerous organisations whether profit or non-profit making include training costs as part of their operating costs, a successful approach in the sector of first aid training at the workplace offers interesting perspectives, either to increase the number of persons available to save life or to increase financial gain for NS.
WHAT IS COMMERCIAL FIRST AID (CFA)?
The Commercial First Aid is an Income Generating Activity, which is a commercially oriented activity at branch or national level, initiated by a National Society . The main objective of an Income Generating Activity is to generate surplus income in order to support core cost coverage for branches and headquarters of National Society or to finance core activities, and which contributes to financial self-reliance and sustainability.
Commercial First Aid refers to a business led by the NS, including first aid training and sale of first aid kits for instance, which are paid for by companies or professionals required to comply with government legislation, or based around occupational safety and health risks in the workplace. It is, among other things, a training or sale service that allows the collection of funds and the covering of basic costs of the National Society. Today, more than 89% of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies offer first aid training courses to workers and employees. CFA can generate funds for the National Society to expand its reach to help vulnerable communities and allow the organisation to maintain its autonomy in the long-term. It also helps in reducing dependency on partners and to diversify the National Society funding portfolio with multiple sources and donors.
National Societies who want to develop their Commercial First Aid must prepare themselves and be aware of the risks which could occur, as a project represents leading a business venture. It is then necessary to have ideas and to identify possible commercial first aid activities, which can be suitable and profitable. You may then come up with a business idea after doing some research and having made a market analysis to identify the needs.
You can take a look at the attached infographic for more information about the steps leading to creating your business!
How can the Centre support your National Society ?
In order to support Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in providing quality and customised first aid courses to companies, the Centre will help in:
- Delivering the International First Aid Attestation,
- Updating the International First Aid, Resuscitation and Education Guidelines,
- Developing tools for the list of risks according to the typology of occupational injuries and accidents employees may deal with,
- Providing marketing and communication tips to develop a proper offer.
