Injuries can occur at any time in a workplace, whether it belongs to construction or general industry. In an environment where employees have to be physically involved in tasks and operations, any mishap can lead to minor to severe injuries. In such circumstances, it's important for the organization to stay prepared. There should be a first aid kit to cater to the employees promptly. Sometimes, a minor injury leads to severe diseases. Hence, by having first aid at the workplace it's easier to handle such situations and save the workforce from illness and other health hazards. In this blog, you can learn about the simple workplace first aid guide. Read on.
Why To Have A First Aid In The Workplace
First Aid in the workplace is significant for many reasons. It helps preserve the lives of employees and prevent injuries from worsening. Many times, a simple cut or bruise, if not treated properly, turns into an acute illness. In emergency situations, it's important to provide immediate first aid support to the workplace as it can make a huge difference. The organizations must have a trained team of professionals who can assess the situation at hand and take necessary precautions to transport the injured safely to the hospital.
Moreover, organizations are legally bound to have proper first aid departments where employees are asked to perform intense physical jobs. Especially in the construction industry, it's mandatory to have appropriate tools and medications to cater to the injured employee. Employers are responsible for having the proper training to rescue and aid the employees in case of any emergency.
The Need To Have First Aid Training At Workplace
When employees know that their employers are concerned about their safety and health and are equipped with first aid training, they feel more confident and relaxed in the workplace. It's important to be aware of the basic procedures employers should do at the time of an emergency.
-
Assessing the Situation
At the time of any mishappening, the first rule is to stay calm to assess the situation clearly. They need to evaluate the scene for safety and check if the person is conscious and not unresponsive. If the person is responsive, it's time to assess the injury. You need to provide first aid to stop the injury from worsening. However, it's equally important to keep your safety first. Do wear proper PPE to keep yourself away from catching diseases or getting injured in the process.
-
Contacting Emergency Services
In case of any emergency, you need to first call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. You should provide a clear detail of the scene and the location. You must inform the authorities about the nature of the emergency. It's best to communicate so that the paramedics can arrive prepared properly. You can assign someone to meet the emergency responders. Organizations should have a team with proactive employees who can manage emergencies without any delay.
4 Safe First Aid Practices for Common Workplace Injuries
As you know, employers should be trained to perform simple first aid practices here are 4 basic techniques to cater to the injured employee.
-
Cuts and Bleeding
If the employee has an open wound, you can apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. You must be careful not to put too much pressure and cause more pain to the injured person. Clean the wound using water and apply a bandage. You can seek medical attention if the bleeding is severe or if it does not stop.
-
Burns
In case of burns, use water to cool down the skin for at least 10 minutes. It's an effective technique to treat chemical burns as it washes it off the skin effectively. Secondly, cover the burn with a sterile and non-stick dressing. Avoid using any cream without consulting the doctor.
-
Sprains and Fractures
In case of sprains and injured areas immobile use a splint or a sling. You can apply ice to reduce the swelling until the paramedics arrive. Instruct the injured person not to do too much physical movement or bend the fractured bone, as it can worsen the injury.
-
Choking
There is a Heimlich maneuver technique that you can perform if the person can not breathe. This encourages the person to cough if they are partially choked. You can call for immediate medical support in case if the situation worsens.
-
Heart Attack or Stroke
If the employee starts having chest pain and faces difficulty in breathing, in such a situation, they may be encountering minor to severe heartache. Keep the person calm and have them lie down. You must administer CPR if the person becomes unresponsive and shows no sign of breathing. However, it's important to let the trained person do the CPR as sometimes, a minor mistake can cause huge damage.
Wrap Up
Considering the vital need to have first aid, organizations must stay prepared with proper, well-organized first aid kits. There should be bandages, general medications, and all the essentials needed to cater to emergency calls. Moreover, it's best to train your employees about safe workplace practices to avoid encountering health hazards.