Corporate
Almost any facility is at risk to be the next site of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is unpredictable and can strike anyone at any time, often without regard to a person’s age, gender, health or title. Studies prove that SCA is often the first sign of heart disease for as many as 50% of SCA victims. Tragically, most companies are unprepared for SCA in the workplace and most victims die before every reaching the hospital.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 13% of work place fatalities (more than 400 per year) are caused by SCA. Of these victims, OSHA estimates that 40% (160 incidents), could be saved by defibrillation within 5 minutes.
The following occupations are a few that OSHA has stated as being at an increased risk of heart disease and cardiac arrest:
- Those with shift work
- High Stress
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Exposure to electrical hazards
- Outdoor worksites where lightening may occur
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) surveyed 400 of its members working in major corporations and businesses and found that 34 percent of those who have implemented an AED program have used their AED at least once to help save a life. The survey also showed that 66 percent of victims of SCA in the workplace were successfully revived.
Corporations have substantial value and importance placed on employees, those who visit your facilities, a company’s reputation, managing risk and protecting your bottom line.
The death of a valuable employee heavily impacts a company on many levels:
- Loss of productivity
- Collateral loss
- Impact to company morale
- Risk & legal issues
- Employee health & safety issues
- Financial impact
As AEDs become more common, laws mandating AEDs in public areas, the pressure is greater now than in any time in the past for corporations to have AEDs in the workplace. There is also much more liability and burden on a company who does NOT have an AED program in place to protect the health and welfare of your employees versus a company who does have a program.
Companies that adopt AED programs for their workplace can save lives, improve morale, avoid potentially costly and damaging lawsuits, jury awards and demonstrate to their workers, clients and communities that they care about the health and well-being of their employees!
Is managing your risk and protecting your employees important to you?
If so, implement an AED program today!