The ability to provide basic first aid is an invaluable skill that can save lives in the event of workplace accidents or medical emergencies. Having well-trained employees who know how to properly administer first aid greatly benefits any organization by helping injured or ill workers receive prompt care. This article serves as a handy extract from an online first aid training course, summarizing the essential information you need to know about providing first aid in the workplace.
Locating First Aid Kits
The first step in being prepared to administer first aid is knowing the location of the first aid kits in your workplace. First aid kits contain all the basic supplies needed for treating minor injuries and stabilizing victims until professional medical help can arrive. During a medical emergency, searching for a first aid kit wastes precious time. Walk around your workplace and take note of all the first aid kit locations so you can access them quickly when the need arises. Regularly check that the kits are fully stocked and not missing any items.
Protecting Eyes from Injury
Our vision is incredibly precious, so it’s crucial to understand how to properly treat eye injuries and avoid further damage. If you get a speck of dirt or other small particle in your eye, let your eye naturally flush it out by blinking repeatedly and gently pulling the eyelid out and slipping it back into place. The particle should wash away with your eye’s natural tear production.
For more stubborn particles, tilt your head and rinse the eye with clean water or artificial tears. If rinsing doesn’t remove the particle, see a doctor for help. Never rub your eye when trying to dislodge something trapped under the eyelid. Rubbing can scratch the delicate surface of the eye.
Chemical splashes require emergency rinsing. If cleaning solutions, solvents or other hazardous chemicals get in the eyes, rinse them immediately with water for at least 15 minutes while holding the eyelids open. Avoid closing the eyes, as this traps the chemicals against the eye. Rinse for a full 15 minutes even if the stinging starts to subside sooner. Call for medical help after rinsing thoroughly.
Seek emergency care right away for punctures or objects embedded in the eye. Don’t attempt to remove large, deeply embedded objects like glass shards – this causes further injury. Gently cover the eye with a shield or cup without putting pressure on the object. Leave removal to emergency medical professionals.
Treating Cuts, Scrapes and Burns
Cuts, scrapes, burns and abrasions are some of the most frequently encountered workplace injuries. The proper way to care for them reduces infection risk and promotes healing.
For minor cuts with minimal bleeding, clean by gently rinsing with water and patting dry. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile bandage. When dealing with major bleeding, firmly press a clean cloth or gauze pad directly over the wound and keep pressure on it until the bleeding stops.
If blood soaks through, add more cloth or gauze without removing the original – applying continuous pressure is key. Once bleeding is controlled, clean the wound, apply antibiotic ointment and cover with sterile gauze. Seek medical care for deep cuts or those with jagged edges. Also get wounds checked out if bleeding persists despite sustained pressure.
Cool running water can relieve pain from minor burns. Afterwards, antibiotic creams promote healing. Leave blisters intact – don’t try to pop them. If a blister breaks on its own, clean gently with mild soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment, then cover with sterile gauze. Severe burns with large blisters or charred skin require emergency medical treatment. While waiting for help, comfort the victim by elevating the burned area and applying cool, moist bandages. Don’t immerse extensive burns in cold water, as this can cause hypothermia.
Handling Sprains, Strains and Fractures
Most sprains and strains require evaluation by a healthcare provider, even if injury seems minor at first. Look out for symptoms like severe pain, numbness, joint deformity, bone protruding through skin and inability to use the affected limb. These signal serious injury, as do buckling of joints when attempting to bear weight. Don’t move victims with potential spinal damage unless essential for safety.
Remember the RICE method for managing minor strains and sprains before seeing a doctor:
R – Rest the injury by avoiding use of the affected area
I – Ice for 20 minutes per hour
C – Compress using an elastic bandage
E – Elevate above heart level
Begin RICE right after injury occurs, continuing for 24-48 hours. Get emergency help immediately if you suspect a bone is broken, a joint is deformed or a bone has punctured the skin. Don’t try to set bones or push protruding bones back under the skin. Keep the victim still and wait for EMTs.
Recognizing Shock
Some trauma victims go into a life-threatening condition called shock, which occurs when blood flow is redirected within the body and deprives vital organs of adequate circulation. Signals of shock include dizziness, rapid breathing, pale, clammy skin and enlarged pupils. Take these steps if you suspect shock:
- Call 911
- Have the person lie down with legs elevated
- Keep them warm with blankets
- Monitor breathing and circulation until paramedics arrive
Responding to Heart Attacks
A heart attack is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Heart attack symptoms include chest, shoulder and arm pain, shortness of breath, clammy skin, lightheadedness and nausea. Have the person sit and rest. Loosen any tight clothing and ask if they have medication, like nitroglycerin, for heart conditions. If so, help them take it right away.
If pain continues for more than 3 minutes after medication or the person has no medicine available, call 911. Cardiac arrest, an even graver situation, occurs when the heart beats erratically or stops completely. Check for cardiac arrest by tapping their shoulder and shouting to get a response. No reaction means begin CPR immediately and get an AED if available. Proper CPR and AED use greatly improve survival odds. Consider getting trained in these lifesaving skills.
Aiding a Choking Victim
Choking cuts off air supply and can turn fatal within minutes if the blockage isn’t removed. A choking person will clutch their throat desperately. Use proper first aid techniques right away if you witness these signs:
- Difficulty speaking
- Coughing, gagging or high-pitched breathing sounds
- Inability to breathe
- Panicked gestures
Follow the “Five and Five” method. Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then 5 abdominal thrusts. Keep alternating between the two until the object dislodges. If alone, perform abdominal thrusts by pushing hard upward above the navel. Get emergency help once the person can breathe.
Treating Heat-Related Illness
Working in hot environments can overwhelm the body’s cooling systems, leading to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion causes heavy sweating, cold/clammy skin, dizziness, headache and nausea. Move victims into cooler areas, remove outer clothing, give water or electrolyte drinks (not caffeine/alcohol) and use ice packs, spraying or fanning to lower body temperature. Seek medical care if symptoms don’t subside within 60 minutes.
Heat stroke is even more dangerous, with symptoms like hot/dry skin, confusion, seizures and unconsciousness. Call 911 then cool the person immediately per heat exhaustion protocols until help arrives. Monitoring workers carefully and ensuring adequate hydration/rest periods in hot environments prevents heat illness.
Conclusion
Administering proper first aid drastically improves outcomes for workers injured on the job. It’s essential for everyone to know where the first aid kits are, how to treat specific injuries, and when to call for emergency help. Acquiring this knowledge and applying it effectively can make all the difference when seconds count. But knowing the theory isn’t enough; hands-on practice is invaluable in consolidating these lifesaving skills. Therefore, consider transitioning from theoretical understanding to applied competence.
Are You Prepared for the Moment that Could Save a Life?
Imagine the clock ticking away the seconds during a sudden emergency at work. Whether it’s a heart attack or a heatstroke, you’re on the front line. Those first few minutes can make the difference between life and death. How prepared are you? How prepared are your employees?
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