The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

FORTY Government Press workers are participating in a First Aid course at BTVI in an effort to equip themselves with the skills needed to handle the hazards which may arise in their line of work.

Royal Bahamas Defence Force Petty Officer Andrew McKenzie told The Tribune yesterday that a request was made by the Cabinet Office to have members of the Defence Force conduct the course.

“The classes are necessary because of the work persons do in the Government Press – industrial, warehouse type of work where the environment is toxic so there’s a possibility of something bad happening,” he said. “We’re training persons, bringing them up to scratch with regard to safety.”

The participants, he said, will learn to “perform compressions and evacuation procedures and how to operate fire extinguishers.”

On successful completion of the course, the participants will receive certificates.

Noting that no accidents have occurred to date at the government printing facility, Mr McKenzie said: “In the event that something does happen, the employees will be equipped to handle the situation until EMS personnel arrive.

“All government agencies need to do this because you find that a lot of persons are dying from heart attack these days.”

During one session of the course, a video of American Red Cross Association instructors played as participants mimicked the instructor’s actions.

“Follow the video as best as you can so you can get the rhythm and the sequence,” officer Terrance Arnette told the participants performing compression exercises on the mannequins provided by the Defence Force.