Integrating BLS-AED into OHS: how to plan training in your safety action plan

Knowing how to perform life-saving procedures at work is not just an asset: it is an obligation and a cornerstone of prevention. As part of an MSST (Occupational Health and Safety Management) concept, BLS-AED (Basic Life Support – Automated External Defibrillator) training plays an essential role in ensuring that employees are responsive and safe in the event of a medical emergency.
Incorporating this training into the safety action plan helps to strengthen the culture of prevention, meet the requirements of CFST Directive 6508 and give every employee the right reflexes to act without delay.

This article provides step-by-step guidance on where and how to position the BLS-AED in your occupational health and safety plan, using a clear method tailored to Swiss companies. The aim is to ensure legal compliance, consistency of the system and confidence among teams in emergency situations.

Understanding the link between the MSST concept and BLS-AED training

What is MSST? — a legal pillar of occupational health and safety

The MSST concept, defined by CFST Directive 6508, provides a framework for the implementation of an occupational health and safety management system in Switzerland. It requires all employers to guarantee the safety of their employees, assess occupational risks and plan appropriate preventive measures.
In concrete terms, the MSST action plan brings together all the measures designed to protect employees: audits, training, medical monitoring, emergency procedures and internal communication.
One of the central aspects of this system is preparation for medical emergencies. This is where BLS-AED training comes in: it transforms employees into first responders capable of taking immediate action before the emergency services arrive.

Why the BLS-AED is an integral part of the OHS action plan

The BLS-AED (Basic Life Support – Automated External Defibrillator) is more than just a first aid module. It is part of a comprehensive prevention strategy: that of a professional environment where safety becomes second nature.
Integrating this training into the OHS plan allows:

• ensure regulatory compliance with the requirements of CFST 6508;
• increase the responsiveness of teams in the event of cardiac arrest, choking or serious illness;
• to strengthen the safety culture by actively involving employees.

Every minute counts during cardiac arrest. Training staff in BLS-AED is therefore not a secondary consideration, but a vital measure that can save lives while consolidating employer responsibility.

The role of first aid training in corporate safety culture

First aid training acts as a catalyst for cohesion and trust within teams. It transforms the theory of the health and safety plan into everyday practice.
A trained employee knows:

• identify risks,
• act without panicking,
• effectively alert the emergency services,
• and take the appropriate action until medical assistance arrives.

Beyond technical skills, the training develops a participatory safety culture, where every member of the company plays an active role in prevention. This is the approach promoted by certified organisations such as SafetyFirst: practical learning, tailored to each sector, which makes BLS-AED an essential collective skill.

Include the BLS-AED in your company’s safety action plan

Identify the requirements and stakeholders of the OHS system

Before incorporating BLS-AED training into your health and safety action plan, it is essential to determine who needs to be trained, when and for what purpose.
The analysis begins with a safety audit or an MSST diagnosis, which identifies the specific risks to your company: working alone, physical activity, receiving the public, exposure to electrical or chemical hazards, etc.

The main stakeholders to be involved are:

• the safety officer or OHS coordinator, responsible for ensuring compliance with CFST Directive 6508;
• team leaders or HR managers, for planning and monitoring training courses;
• employees designated as company first-aiders, who are called upon to respond first in an emergency;
• and, depending on the size of the organisation, an OHS committee responsible for the overall monitoring of occupational health and safety.

This preliminary identification ensures a clear division of roles and consistent integration of the BLS-AED into the prevention strategy.

Planning BLS-AED training: when and for whom?

Planning is a key step in the safety action plan. In Switzerland, BLS-AED SRC training is generally recommended for all employees exposed to high risk (industry, maintenance, customer service, transport).
It must be followed by SRC refresher training every two years in order to maintain competence and update procedures in line with the recommendations of the Swiss Resuscitation Council.

Here are some practical guidelines for integrating training into the OSH calendar:

• include the BLS-AED in the annual implementation phase of the OHS concept;
• plan sessions during the onboarding of new employees;
• Combine the training with other modules on risk prevention (fire, evacuation, first aid).

Well-thought-out planning ensures better adoption of the system and continuity of the safety culture within the company.

Example of an OHS action plan incorporating BLS-AED training

To illustrate this integration, let us take the example of a typical health and safety action plan proposed by SafetyFirst:

This model shows how the BLS-AED fits naturally into the MSST approach, combining training, assessment and continuous improvement.

By applying this logic, every company can build an effective system that complies with legislation and, above all, is capable of saving lives.

Ensuring compliance and sustainability of the BLS-AED system

Comply with CFST Directive 6508 and the OPA Ordinance.

The CFST Directive 6508 forms the legal basis for occupational health and safety management (MSST) in Switzerland. It requires every employer to assess risks, implement preventive measures and provide appropriate training for employees. Integrating BLS-AED training into the safety action plan directly meets these requirements. In the event of an accident, a company that can demonstrate that it has a structured OHS concept and trained employees proves its commitment to risk prevention and health protection for its staff.

The OPA Ordinance supplements this framework by specifying the employer’s duties in terms of first aid and the provision of necessary equipment, in particular the automated external defibrillator (AED).
Bringing your company into compliance therefore means:

• establish clear documentation (health and safety plan, training records, audit reports);
• ensure that BLS-AED skills are regularly updated;
• and provide for an annual review to verify the effectiveness of the measures in place.

Training, retraining and documentation: three levers for a successful audit

An effective BLS-AED system is based on three inseparable pillars:

1. Train employees according to SRC or IAS standards so that they are proficient in resuscitation techniques and the use of a defibrillator.
2. Regularly refresh your skills, as protocols evolve and practices are forgotten over time. BLS-AED refresher training every two years is strongly recommended to maintain the quality of your response.
3. Document each action: list of participants, certificates, training schedule, assessment reports. These items constitute the evidence required during an OHS audit and facilitate the planning of future sessions.

Traceability is not an administrative constraint, but a management tool. It allows progress to be monitored, training needs to be identified and the long-term safety culture to be improved.

Preserving a long-term safety culture

Implementing a compliant system is good. Keeping it alive over time is even better.
The sustainability of BLS-AED depends on the company’s ability to embed the right reflexes into everyday practice. To achieve this:

• organise emergency drills simulating real-life situations (cardiac arrest, fainting, injury);
• communicate regularly about good first aid practices;
• recognise trained employees by appointing them as safety representatives;
• and incorporate feedback into the annual OHS review.

This dynamic creates a vibrant safety culture, where prevention is not just a legal obligation but becomes a shared value. Thanks to this approach, BLS-AED training is no longer a one-off event: it becomes a permanent lever for responsibility and trust within the company.

Best practices for effectively integrating BLS-AED

Promoting a participatory and educational approach

Successful BLS-AED training relies not only on technique, but also on collective commitment. To strengthen the safety culture, it is essential to involve employees from the outset of the health, safety and environmental action plan.
Encourage them to share their experiences, ask questions and actively participate in practical sessions. This participatory approach helps to reinforce reflexes and team cohesion.

SafetyFirst trainers recommend adopting a teaching approach focused on real-life situations: role-playing, practical case studies, and hands-on experience with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Learning how to administer first aid then becomes a powerful, practical and unifying experience that goes beyond mere compliance with regulations to become a civic and professional duty.

Use emergency audits and simulations as tools for continuous improvement

Health and safety audits and emergency simulations are powerful tools for assessing the maturity of the system and correcting any discrepancies.
Regularly schedule internal drills that simulate cardiac arrest or serious accidents. Observe the responsiveness of the teams, the quality of their actions and the communication between responders.

After each simulation, conduct a structured debriefing:

• Which steps were carried out successfully?
• What areas need improvement?
• Was the equipment (AED, first aid kit) easily accessible?

This feedback is used to inform the annual review of the safety action plan and enable procedures to be adjusted. In this way, occupational health and safety is evolving towards a process of continuous improvement, directly linked to the reality on the ground.

Rely on a certified partner such as SafetyFirst

Implementing a comprehensive programme of BLS-AED training and OHS management requires specific expertise. That is why many companies choose to rely on a certified partner.

With its comprehensive approach — audit, action plan, training and follow-up — SafetyFirst supports organisations in developing an OHS concept that complies with CFST Directive 6508.
Its trainers, certified by the Swiss Resuscitation Council (SRC) and the Interassociation de Sauvetage (IAS), provide recognised training courses tailored to each professional environment.

Working with a qualified service provider guarantees:

• full legal compliance,
• high-quality training aligned with SRC standards,
• and the continued availability of the BLS-AED system within your organisation.

Choosing a partner like SafetyFirst means ensuring that the safety of your employees is not left to chance, but is integrated into your prevention strategy for the long term.

Additional training to strengthen your first aid skills

SafetyFirst offers several additional modules to deepen, review or expand your resuscitation and emergency management skills. These complementary training courses enable you to remain operational, maintain a high level of proficiency and adapt to different environments or professional needs.

• BLS-AED SRC continuing education
  → Maintaining skills, reinforced practice and algorithm updates.
• Non-SRC-certified BLS-AED training
  → Comprehensive, practical module, compliant with the algorithm, without official certification.
• BLS-AED training – Life-saving techniques
  → Short introduction to essential resuscitation techniques and use of an AED.
• Water rescue training
  → Rescue techniques in wet environments: drowning, extraction and aquatic CPR.

In summary: make BLS-AED a cornerstone of your safety strategy.

Integrating the BLS-AED into the health and safety action plan is not just a simple administrative formality: it is a humane, responsible approach that is essential for risk prevention.
This training course, recognised by the Swiss Resuscitation Council (SRC), gives your teams the means to act quickly and effectively in a life-threatening emergency, while complying with the requirements of CFST Directive 6508 and the OPA Ordinance.

Establishing a robust system means:

• ensure your company’s legal compliance;
• develop a vibrant safety culture where every employee plays an active role;
• ensure an immediate response in the event of an incident;
• and strengthen collective trust at work.

With structured support, rigorous monitoring and regular training, the BLS-AED becomes a real cornerstone of the MSST concept — a concrete tool for protecting lives, enhancing skills and firmly establishing prevention at the heart of your company.