Awareness and First Aid
In emergency medicine, the line between life and death is often razor thin.
Sometimes, it comes down to a single piece of protective equipment.
For Warren Prins, a paramedic at ER24 Worcester, that reality hit home when he responded to a motor-vehicle collision.
Prins’ colleague was in the vehicle attending to a patient trapped inside the wreck while rescue teams began extrication. As emergency crews worked to remove the doors, part of the vehicle’s roof unexpectedly collapsed. “The roof came down and struck my colleague on the head,” Prins recalls. “Fortunately, he was wearing a rescue helmet, which absorbed most of the force. If he had not been wearing one, the injury would have been catastrophic.”
This is just one stark reminder that safety equipment is not only about compliance or convenience, but also about survival.
The hidden safety gaps in South African workplaces
Despite clear evidence that protective equipment and emergency preparedness save lives, Prins says many South African workplaces still underestimate key safety risks.
“One of the most common gaps I see is induction training,” says Prins. “Factory workers who operate heavy machinery are often only trained once. Over the years in the same industry, employees become complacent and start forming bad habits.”
Without regular refresher training, even experienced workers may take unnecessary risks or forget critical safety protocols. “Properly trained employees know how to operate equipment safely and understand the risks and hazards in their environment.”
Prins recommends:
- Formal safety training at least once a year
- Immediate training when new equipment is introduced
- Event-driven training after incidents or role changes.
Response time matters – but first aid is still vital
When an emergency happens, every second counts – and it starts long before the ambulance arrives.
“A swift response time is often the single most important predictor of a patient’s outcome,” Prins says. “Survival often depends on what happens in the first few minutes. On-site preparedness and trained staff can make the difference between life and death.”
But the most serious mistake that companies often make is assuming their job is done once help is called.
“Phoning for help isn’t enough,” Prins warns. “If no first aid is given immediately, professional help may arrive too late.”
How ER24 helps assess workplace safety readiness
ER24 helps businesses stay safe with comprehensive workplace risk assessments. These identify hazards, evaluate their likelihood and severity, and recommend ways to control or eliminate them.
The aim is not just regulatory compliance, but safer, better-prepared workplaces.
Practical safety steps for small businesses
For smaller businesses, Prins stresses that safety doesn’t have to be costly to be effective. He recommends starting with:
- Good housekeeping: clear walkways, tidy cables, proper lighting
- Written standard operating procedures for key processes
- Weekly safety talks on preventing incidents
- At least one trained first aider on site.
“These small steps can dramatically reduce risk,” he says.
Why AEDs and protective equipment are often still seen as “optional”
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and personal protective equipment (PPE) are proven lifesavers, yet many workplaces still see them as non-essential.
Prins suggests cost is often the main deterrent. “AEDs are mostly seen as optional due to the cost of obtaining them and ongoing service fees,” he says. “Many businesses focus only on their immediate environmental hazards, rather than medical emergencies.”
There's also a lingering fear of legal consequences if equipment is used incorrectly, which often leads people to do nothing rather than get proper training, he adds.
Shift in workplace safety thinking after COVID-19
Since COVID-19, Prins says he’s noticed a positive shift in how companies approach health and safety. “Many now focus on overall employee wellness, not just the previous narrow view.”
This broader approach recognises the link between physical safety, mental wellbeing, and emergency preparedness.
ER24 helps businesses stay prepared for everyday emergencies
ER24 can help you to improve workplace safety. "ER24’s corporate emergency services provide a variety of products designed for your specific needs,” explains Alison Hamaty, an ER24 corporate sales consultant. “Our goal is to ensure businesses are adequately prepared and supported to deal with everyday things that can go wrong.”
Whether you run a manufacturing plant, school, shopping centre, university campus, or small shop, ER24 Corporate Services provides peace of mind. They help businesses manage workplace safety with tailored solutions, ensuring you’re prepared for everyday emergencies.