Weighing the benefits of a service against the cost incurred.
When OSHA was established on April 28, 1971, a new industry was born. By 1974, Federal regulations for health and safety standards were established, paving the way for mobile first aid companies to market their services with the support of OSHA’s 1910.151 medical services and first aid standard. The mobile first service industry flourished during the 70s and 80s while helping manufacturers stay compliant with these new regulations from the federal government.
Much has changed since 1974. Health and safety practices have developed over time, including more employee feedback and participation. Unfortunately, many of the mobile first aid service processes are still very much the same as they were 45 years ago. In this article, we have identified 7 reasons why you should take ownership of your workplace first aid program. After reading these 7 reasons, we think you will agree.
1. A commissioned salesperson is making spending decisions for you
Virtually every mobile first aid representative is a salesperson paid on commission. The more they sell, the more it benefits them. Quotas and incentives to sell are still standard practice in business.
2. You’re paying them to do the job right - but are they?
Have you looked inside the cabinets and confirmed that the appropriate types and amounts of supplies are according to your wishes? Have you given them a list of items you want them to maintain and are they following your wishes?
3. Invoice and billing practices are problematic
Vague product descriptions and quantities are common in the mobile first aid industry. Descriptions like “small box” allow the service to reap profits and blind their competition so nobody knows how much you are really paying for 1 packet of first aid cream. Ask your rep for a full disclosure of quantities so you can compare prices with other suppliers.
4. Excessive costs incurred
Paying hundreds of dollars each month adds up. Purchasing your supplies directly from a wholesale distributor will reduce your costs by 50-70%. For years, mobile first aid companies had a packaging advantage. Now you can purchase identical products in the same type of dispensing packaging for your first aid kits from most companies that sell supplies online. Why pay a commissioned salesperson more when you can order exactly what you need for a fraction of the price?
5. Monitoring your service
Have you had issues with billing or pricing in the past? Has your representative stocked your cabinets with products you didn’t want or ask for? Have you run out of supplies because your service didn't show up on their scheduled date? Do you escort your rep around the plant when they service the cabinets? Monitoring your service costs time and money.
6. Multiple sources of supply
Chances are your service is supplying the first aid and the safety products come from another source. You can cut costs by streamlining your purchasing process. Reducing your paperwork, accounts payable, receiving process, and time monitoring the service will lower your costs when you use one supplier for both first aid and safety supplies.
7. You are distanced from the process
When a 3rd party service maintains your first aid supplies, you are distanced from the process. It is important to know who is being injured and how. This knowledge can help improve training, education, and overall awareness of what is happening with the health and safety of your facility and employees. Taking charge of your workplace first aid program is critical. Someone has to be in charge. Companies where an employee monitors and maintains the supplies lower their costs. It also builds awareness of the health and safety activity between the employer and employee.
We have several different options to help you maintain your supplies. With only a few minutes a month, you can reap the benefits of maintaining first aid supplies yourself. If you’re interested in learning how to maintain your own first aid supplies, take a look at the resources below or give us a call and we can help get you started.
Ready-to-go options
Refill Systems
- Refill This Kit - Available for most of the first aid kits and refills we offer, a list of the individual items sold in that kit can be found on the "refill this kit" tab of the Kit or refill page. Simply click and order the supplies you need to replenish.
- RestockKit- Visual refill system. Simply choose your kit and click the pictures of the items you need.
- Make-A-First-Aid-Kit- Create a custom first aid kit or refill it online. It’s fast and easy
- Reorder List- A powerful saved “wish list”. All saved lists including "Make a first aid kit" lists can be found there. Once you are on the "Reorder Lists" page, click on the information tab and watch the video.
Additional Tools can be found within our various refill systems
- E-mail reminders to refill your kit
- Checklists
