[WhiteTiger]

Today during lunch, a conversation sprung up that got me wondering. I was sitting there reading, and one of my departmental co-workers started to fake-choke in response to something he saw on the tv. A lead hand, a supervisor and the HR rep were there, and the HR rep said in a joking manner that since I was first aid trained, I should handle this situation.

Since he clearly was not choking, I trotted out a stock snide answer; I told her "I have the ability to help, not the obligation."

The LH, the Supervisor and the HR rep all jumped in with how, since I was first aid trained, I actually DID have an obligation to help (And it's not like I wouldn't have, if he'd actually been choking or in need of some manner of first aid, of course). I debated it a bit, but the three remained adamant that I could be legally forced to administer any first aid within my capability.

Now, where I think the issue might be is that it's a workplace thing. Out in the 'real world', a person can't be legally forced to provide first aid (I can't see any way that could be enforceable). But...does that change when your company provides first aid training to you? If your company has trained you in first aid, do they then have a right and a legal means to 'force' someone to help? I can't imagine this coming up, as most people would want to help, if they were capable (I assume).

I tried to googlefu the answer, and the AHSA doesn't have the information I'm looking for. Has something like this ever happened? Where someone, after being trained by their workplace, could watch a co-worker just suffer? I suppose that one could freeze or have all their training go out of their head (I re-read my training book every 6 months, to 'keep it fresh', as it were).

I guess the question comes down to, in the end, if someone could actually just stand there, knowing they could (have) helped, and not...is there any legal recourse by either the company or the injured coworker (or, if the worst happens, their next-of-kin) that could be taken?