The Risks Associated with Employees Who Lack AED/CPR Training

Photo, In-Puse CPR Training Class, Compliments of Donna Ryan Digital

by Donna Ryan

Employees who lack proper training in using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) introduce several significant risks to themselves, their colleagues, and the organization as a whole. These risks fall into three categories: legal/compliance, operational, and, most importantly, human safety.

Human Safety and Health Risks

The most critical risks are related to preventable loss of life and severe injury:

Increased Risk of Fatality

• Failure to Act: Untrained employees may hesitate or fail to act during a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or choking incident, losing critical minutes. For every minute defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival from SCA decreases by approximately 7–10%.
• Ineffective CPR: Improperly performed CPR can be ineffective, leading to insufficient blood flow to the brain and other vital organs, resulting in brain damage or death.
• AED Misuse or Delay: Untrained individuals may not locate the AED quickly, may fail to power it on, or may misapply the pads, resulting in a delay or complete failure to deliver a life-saving shock.

Severe Injury and Long-Term Disability

• Even if a victim survives an SCA, delayed or poor-quality intervention can lead to significant oxygen deprivation, resulting in severe, long-term brain damage, requiring extensive medical care and impacting their quality of life.

Legal and Compliance Risks

The lack of training can expose the organization to significant legal liabilities:

Regulatory Non-Compliance

• OSHA General Duty Clause: While it does not always explicitly require AED/CPR training, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. In workplaces where the risk of SCA is recognized (e.g., fitness centers, industrial sites), a lack of training could be considered a failure to mitigate a known hazard.
• Industry-Specific Requirements: Certain industries (e.g., healthcare, education, childcare) have specific mandates for first aid and CPR/AED training. Failure to meet these constitutes a direct compliance violation.

Liability and Lawsuits

• Negligence Claims: If a colleague or visitor suffers an SCA and dies or is severely injured due to the lack of trained personnel to utilize available safety equipment (like an AED), the employer could face wrongful death or negligence lawsuits.
• Lack of Good Samaritan Protection: While Good Samaritan laws generally protect lay rescuers, they typically apply to actions taken in good faith and without compensation. The legal standing can become complicated if an employer failed to ensure basic training was provided, especially if an AED was present but unused.

Operational and Financial Risks

The consequences of an incident can extend far beyond the immediate medical emergency:

Workplace Disruption and Morale

• Post-Incident Trauma: Witnesses to a preventable death or severe injury often suffer psychological trauma, leading to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and low morale.
• High Turnover: Employees may perceive the lack of safety training as evidence that the company does not prioritize their well-being, leading to a loss of trust and increased employee turnover.

Financial Costs

• Insurance Costs: Incidents resulting in death or serious injury can lead to higher workers’ compensation premiums.
• Legal Fees and Settlements: The costs associated with defending lawsuits, regardless of the outcome, can be substantial. Settlements or judgments further compound these financial burdens.
• Hiring and Training Replacement Staff: Dealing with the aftermath of an incident, including investigations and replacing affected staff, diverts resources and incurs additional operational costs.

Summary of Risks

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Author: Donna Ryan is a health writer for In-Pulse CPR. She works and lives in Tucson, AZ.