Is Workplace First Aid (SST) Training Mandatory?

##Everything You Need to Know About SST Training: Workplace First Aid Training (SST - Sauveteur Secouriste du Travail) is essential for ensuring employee safety in the workplace. It aims to train individuals capable of responding quickly and effectively in the event of a workplace accident, while waiting for specialized emergency services to arrive.

SST training's primary objective is to train employees who can provide first aid to any victim of a workplace accident, while waiting for specialized emergency services. It is based on occupational risk prevention and learning first aid techniques. The skills acquired during this training are regularly updated to ensure their effectiveness in real-life situations.

Is SST training mandatory? What are the training requirements? Who is it for?

Let us answer these questions together.

How to Become an SST?

Any company employee has the opportunity to train to become a Workplace First Aider. Typically, it is the HR department or the department responsible for training that offers this first aid training.

In large companies, an SST trainer may even be present in-house. If your employer does not offer training, it is possible to request it through the usual procedures within the company. As with any professional training, the associated costs will be covered by the company, through the use of the Professional Training Account (CPF).

It is clear that SST training aims to ensure employee safety and establish a peaceful and pleasant work environment. The trained employee is distinctly recognized as an SST and, while not required to achieve specific results, may be called upon for minor incidents (such as scrapes, fainting) or major emergencies (such as a serious on-site accident or cardiac arrest).

Choosing the SST role means getting involved for your employer and colleagues as a point of reference. This decision is based on volunteering, intended for those who wish to have a more active involvement and feel capable of taking action when needed.

Is SST Training Mandatory?

For the employee, mandatory SST training is based on volunteering. They are therefore not required to undergo this training.

Additionally, to maintain their qualification, they must renew their training every two years through a 7-hour continuing education session.

What About the Company?

Regarding the company, the situation is more nuanced. The French Labor Code states that "the employer, after consulting the occupational health physician, must implement the necessary measures to provide first aid to victims of accidents or illnesses" (Article R4224-16). The employer is therefore required to train some of their employees in first aid to ensure the safety of all staff. The only exception concerns companies where doctors or nurses are constantly present during working hours.

In summary, there must be individuals on-site capable of providing first aid in case of illness or accident. SST training is one way to meet this requirement, but it is not the only one. Other first aid training programs, such as PSC1 (1 day) or Life-Saving Techniques (1 to 2 hours), are also relevant.

Specific rules apply to workshops or construction sites with high risk and long duration due to an increased risk of accidents (Article R4224-15 of the French Labor Code). For more details on employer responsibilities, we invite you to consult our specialized article.

To clarify: SST training is not a formal obligation. However, it is strongly recommended to train staff in order to reduce accident risks and ensure rapid intervention in case of emergency.

You now have an overview of the available options. SST training adopts a "One for all" approach, where a few specialized employees watch over collective safety. In contrast, Life-Saving Techniques training adopts an "Each for the other" philosophy, where the majority of employees know the basics of first aid and can help their colleagues. With this in mind, irwino has developed an accessible and effective virtual reality training program, enabling rapid deployment for a large number of participants.

Who Is Subject to Mandatory SST Training?

Learning first aid techniques is always beneficial. It can save lives in various circumstances. However, there are contexts where SST training becomes a requirement.

In the construction and building sector, the law has set specific criteria for construction-related professions, as stipulated in the French Labor Code. Every company in this sector must have at least one staff member trained in SST, particularly when it involves:

• Sites or workshops planning hazardous operations.

• Structures employing more than 20 people for a period exceeding 15 days, where dangerous activities are planned. It is recommended to have at least one first aider per site. The INRS recommends a ratio of 10 to 15% first aiders relative to the total workforce.

In the absence of on-site medical services, the French Labor Code emphasizes the employer's responsibilities regarding employee protection. In the absence of medical personnel, such as a nurse, the employer is required to arrange first aid provision.

This means having individuals on-site with the required skills to provide this care. In this context, first aider training is essential. If no medical personnel are available, an SST-certified employee must be present on-site.

For security personnel, SST training is also mandatory for certain security professionals as part of their duties.

For example, airport security agents must undergo this training. Their mission is to prevent the introduction of prohibited items at the airport. This certification allows them not only to focus on surveillance and security, but also to intervene as first aiders if necessary.

When Should SST Training Be Renewed?

In order to keep their skills up to date, the Workplace First Aider is required to attend a refresher SST session every 24 months. This session is commonly called SST Skills Maintenance and Update Training (or MAC-SST for short). It spans 7 hours, during which the first aider repeats the techniques and reviews the fundamental principles. Indeed, it is unlikely (and fortunately so!) that you will need to act on a daily basis for your colleagues. It is therefore crucial to practice frequently and review the procedures to follow. These refresher sessions will help you feel more confident and less anxious during a real emergency.

And What About Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing SST training by offering immersive, memorable and cost-effective simulators. At IRWINO, we offer training modules dedicated to professional trainers. These modules enable ultra-realistic situational exercises, stimulating the senses and emotions of learners. Immersion ensures an average information retention rate of 90%, making the training more effective. Moreover, VR offers considerable time savings, with quick setup and reduced training time per trainee.

####Benefits of Virtual Reality Training

• Ultra-realistic situational exercises: VR offers total immersion, allowing trainees to face situations close to reality.

• Enhanced memorization: Immersion ensures better information retention, essential for putting learned techniques into practice.

• Full trainer control: Trainers can monitor trainee progress in real time and adjust the training accordingly.

• Time savings: VR enables faster training, ideal for companies looking to train a large number of employees in a short time.

SST training is crucial for ensuring employee safety in the workplace. With the advent of virtual reality, this training is now more immersive, effective and adapted to company needs. It is essential for companies to recognize the importance of this training and invest in innovative methods to ensure their employees' safety.

Want to Take an Innovative and Memorable SST or First Aid Training Course?

If you are considering SST training, we strongly encourage you to choose trainers or training centers that incorporate virtual reality (VR) into their program. VR offers total immersion, making learning more concrete and memorable. The quality of training is significantly improved, effectively preparing you to intervene in real situations. If you would like to know which companies and independent trainers use our SST VR virtual reality training solution, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Choose excellence and innovation for your training!

More Information on First Aid Training

Link to the French government website about first aid training and life-saving techniques

INRS website about the SST training framework

Fire simulator in virtual reality

Choose your environments

In a professional environment of over 200 m², including a kitchen, offices and a meeting room, you can choose from over 18 different scenarios.

In a professional environment of over 200 m², including workshops, offices and a storage area, you can choose from over 18 different scenarios.

In a hospital environment comprising 8 rooms, a break room, a kitchenette and safe zones, respond to fire outbreaks, manage the fire safety system report and evacuate patients.

VR simulator for workplace first aid situations

Choose your scenarios

Evacuation of a victim from a room on fire

The victim is choking

Care of a symptomatic person

The victim faints

The victim has been burned

The victim has been burned

Assault of a victim with an open wound

The victim is having an epileptic seizure

The victim is in cardiac arrest

The victim has a heavily bleeding chest wound

The victim goes into cardiac arrest while carrying a heavy load

The victim is a child in cardiac arrest