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When an injury or medical emergency happens at work, the first aid attendant is the first line of defense. But in some situations, their job doesn’t stop at providing immediate care—they also need to safely transport the injured worker to a medical facility or intercept with emergency services.
This is where a Transportation Endorsement (TE) certification becomes essential. In industries with high-risk work environments or remote locations, having a WorkSafeBC-approved Transportation Endorsement ensures that first aid attendants can not only provide critical care but also transport injured workers safely and effectively.
Let’s break down what first aid attendants need to know about transportation requirements and why a Transportation Endorsement is a must-have certification in many workplaces.
Why Is Transportation Endorsement Important?
British Columbia’s workplaces are diverse—some are in urban centers with quick access to emergency care, while others are remote or high-risk job sites where medical assistance may be hours away.
According to WorkSafeBC regulations, workplace first aid must be tailored to the number of workers, the hazards involved, and the time it takes to reach medical help. In some cases, this means employers must provide transportation for injured workers, making it critical for first aid attendants to be trained in safe patient transport.
That’s where the Transportation Endorsement course comes in—it equips first aid attendants with the skills and knowledge needed to package, monitor, and safely transport injured workers to the next level of care.
Key Responsibilities of a Transportation Endorsement First Aid Attendant
A first aid attendant with a Transportation Endorsement is responsible for much more than basic medical care. They also ensure the safe and efficient transportation of injured workers while maintaining clear communication with medical responders.
🔹 Pre-Planning for Effective Transport
- Knowing how to use first aid and transport equipment.
- Training co-workers on how to assist in emergencies.
- Identifying the Emergency Transport Vehicle (ETV) driver.
- Mapping out meeting points with BCEHS (BC Emergency Health Services).
- Ensuring reliable communication with paramedics and hospitals.
🔹 Providing Immediate & Lifesaving Care
- Using first aid skills to stabilize the patient before transport.
- Addressing airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC’s) during transport.
🔹 Determining the Best Transport Method
- Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR) for trauma patients.
- ¾-prone (recovery position) for unconscious patients without spinal injuries.
- Adjusting transport based on the environment, such as aircraft or marine vessels.
🔹 Packaging the Injured Worker for Safe Transport
- Using scoop stretchers, hard collars, and spine boards when necessary.
- Positioning patients for comfort and stability when spinal precautions aren’t needed.
🔹 Continuous Monitoring During Transport
- Reassessing the patient every five minutes.
- Watching for changes in condition and responding accordingly.
- Communicating updates to paramedics or hospital staff.
🔹 Ensuring a Smooth Handoff to Medical Personnel
- Providing a clear, detailed report to paramedics or hospital staff.
- Safely transferring the patient while maintaining critical interventions.
The Priority Action Approach in Patient Transport
All WorkSafeBC-certified first aid attendants follow a structured approach to managing injuries, known as the Priority Action Approach. This method ensures that every injured worker receives the right care at the right time.
1️⃣ Scene Assessment – Identifying hazards, understanding the mechanism of injury, and counting injured individuals.
2️⃣ Primary Survey – Assessing airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs) and performing critical interventions.
3️⃣ Transportation Decision – Determining whether the worker should return to work, be referred to a clinic, or transported to a hospital immediately.
4️⃣ Secondary Survey – Conducting a full-body assessment, gathering medical history, and taking vital signs.
While basic first aid attendants learn the fundamentals of this approach, the Transportation Endorsement course focuses on the transport phase, ensuring that injured workers are moved safely and efficiently.
Essential Transportation Endorsement Skills
A Transportation Endorsement course teaches first aid attendants specialized transport skills that go beyond basic first aid training. Some of the key skills covered include:
✅ Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR) Techniques
- Prone to Supine Spinal Roll – Moving a patient from face-down to face-up while maintaining spinal stability.
- Sitting to Supine Positioning – Lowering a seated or standing patient onto a stretcher safely.
- Securing patients with rigid collars, scoop stretchers, and spine boards.
✅ Packaging Patients for Transport
- Conscious Patients: Positioning for comfort and stability when spinal precautions aren’t required.
- Unconscious Patients: Safely positioning in a ¾-prone (recovery position) when needed.
✅ Ongoing Patient Monitoring During Transport
- Continuously checking ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
- Communicating real-time updates to paramedics.
- Taking immediate action if the patient’s condition worsens.
Hands-On Training: Real-World Scenarios in the TE Course
A WorkSafeBC-approved Transportation Endorsement course isn’t just theory—it’s hands-on, scenario-based training that prepares attendants for real workplace emergencies.
Students will practice:
✔️ Packaging and transporting patients with spinal motion restriction (SMR).
✔️ Handling unconscious and conscious patients during transport.
✔️ Responding to condition changes en route (e.g., cardiac arrest, respiratory distress).
✔️ Effectively communicating with emergency responders and medical teams.
The Role of Communication in Safe Transport
Clear communication is critical in patient transport. First aid attendants must:
- Relay important details to the next level of care (e.g., injuries, interventions performed, estimated arrival time).
- Provide updates during transport if the patient’s condition changes.
- Coordinate with the driver of the Emergency Transport Vehicle (ETV) to ensure a smooth journey.
Other Important Considerations
💡 What is a Qualifying Hospital?
A qualifying hospital must have an emergency department and a physician available, as defined under BC’s Hospital Act.
💡 Equipment & Supplies
First aid attendants must be proficient in using first aid kits, gloves, stretchers, and spinal motion restriction tools.
💡 Patient & Attendant Safety
If a patient’s condition worsens during transport, the priority is to stop the vehicle and administer necessary care immediately.
Why Every Workplace Needs a Transportation Endorsement-Certified Attendant
For workplaces where injuries require on-site transport, a Transportation Endorsement isn’t just an extra certification—it’s a critical safety measure.
At Fundamental First Aid in Vancouver, we offer WorkSafeBC-approved Transportation Endorsement courses, including on-site private training for workplaces.
✅ Ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC regulations
✅ Equip your team with life-saving transport skills
✅ Create a safer, more prepared workplace
Ready to get certified? Book your Transportation Endorsement training today and make workplace safety a top priority!