A Guide to First Aid at Workplace

The concept of first aid is not unknown to civilized societies. Everyone understands the importance and effectiveness of first aid in everyday life and at different places. Similarly, it is important to understand the value and importance of first aid in the workplace.

First aid at the workplace creates a safe environment for your business and work environment. It shows that you are a concerned businessman, who is mindful of his employees and customers. When you hire first aid-trained employees, they help to keep the environment of the organization safe. They are trained and able to respond to any emergencies that happen at the workplace. They can also handle these situations in a more professional way.

First Aid at Workplace

First aid at the workplace is defined as the necessary medical help that a sick or injured person needs in case of an emergency at the workplace. However, if you are a trained person or planning to get first aid training in Norwich, you should keep things in mind that first aid is only a temporary way to help the victim. It is not a medical treatment or medical care. It can only help to control the medical emergency until the arrival of professional medical assistance.  

Emergencies that Can Happen at the Workplace

All workplaces have different environments and they pose different levels of hazards and dangers for their employees. A type of workplace that presents a safe environment for the employees with very less chance of hazards or accidents is considered to be a low-risk workplace. On the other side, a type of workplace that has a dangerous working environment and that poses risks and hazards for employees at a specific level is called a high-risk workplace.

That is why; all workplaces should take standard measures in order to provide effective first aid facilities for employees in the workplace.

The type of emergency that can happen at a workplace is dependent upon the type of workplace whether it is a high risk or low-risk workplace.

Emergencies that can happen at a high-risk workplace are given below.

• Falling from Heights
• Falling Objects
• Burns

Emergencies that can happen at low-risk workplaces are given below.

• Breaking of bones from slipping.
• Sprains
• Bleeding from a cut
• Minor burn
• Seizures
• Allergic reactions

Tips for First Aid at Workplace

Workplaces are not devoid of emergencies or accidents. Therefore, it is good to be safe than sorry. Here are some tips about first aid at the workplace that you can utilize and that make things easy for you and your coworkers in case of an emergency.

1. Understand the Primary Goals of First Aid

You should first understand the fact that first aid is not a medical treatment. It is only the preliminary help that you can provide the victim in case of an emergency. However, you should keep three primary goals of first aid in mind while helping the victim. The three primary goals of first aid are given below.

• Preserve Life
• prevent the worsening of the victim’s condition
• Promote Recovery

These are also known as the 3Ps of first aid.

2. Assess the Location of the Incident for any Dangers

You should remember that you should not move the injured person from the place and give first aid at the point of the incident. Therefore, it is important that you assess the scene where the incident happens before providing first aid. It is advised for the safety of the victim, the people present there, and your safety as well. If you assess the scene and find no danger then you can proceed to provide first aid to the victim. In cases like building collapse or earthquakes, there are possible dangers that anything could happen. Therefore, you have to evaluate the situation and the location first to make sure that there is no further danger.

3. Good Samaritan Law

This law provides legal safety to those who do whatever they can in order to help someone in case of an accident or emergency. You do not have to worry about any legal actions that can be taken against you in case the person you helped has got some worsening health condition or worsened the injury. However, the Samaritan law will protect you against any such legal action against you.

4. Most Common Emergencies that can Happen at Work

When you are the one who is responsible for providing first aid services at your workplace, you should have knowledge about the most commonly happening emergencies at the workplace. This depends upon the environment of your workplace. If you have a high-risk workplace, the level of possible emergencies will be severe. If you have a low-risk working environment then the level of possible emergencies will be mild or moderate. If you will be familiar with the possible emergency conditions in advance, then you will be able to handle the situation in a better way and you will be able to provide first aid care accordingly. Common emergencies that can happen at a workplace are given below.

• Asthma attacks
• Allergic reactions
• Respiratory issues
• Choking
• Heart attack
• Strokes
• Shock
• Seizures

5. Always Be Careful and Be Safe

One of the most important points to keep in mind while you are the first aid provider is that you should make sure that you are safe. You have to be careful while handling the situations so that you should not hurt yourself. Make sure that you are not in any danger.

Final Words

First aid at the workplace is as important as in any other scenario or place. Workplaces are better with trained persons on the staff because they can help coworkers in case of any medical emergency or injury.