08 Aug First aid is important in the workplace – here’s why!
When you open up a first aid kit, you will see a couple of things. Bandages, rubbing alcohol, different types of painkillers and medicine.
But, you need to take a closer look. Do you have enough gear for your workplace? Keep in mind that every workplace is different, and some require much more stuff than others. It all depends on your profession.
Here are some of the important things to gauge your First Aid preparedness.
Getting The Right First Aid Type Depends On:
- How many employees you have;
- The possible dangers and hazards present at your place of work;
- How much time is needed to reach the professional medical attention;
- What is your profession.
These are the basics. However, there are a couple of other things you need to keep in mind. For example, you need to know how much time you need to report an injury.
Not only that, but reporting the details and issues of the injury also take up some time. Now, it’s a rule of thumb that any Low-Risk environment has one first aid professional for every fifty employees. On the other hand, High-Risk places need 1 for every twenty-five people.
The Office And Proper First Aid
There is one very important thing you should know. Only a person that is qualified and trained can assist an injured person. Someone who lacks training may even hurt the injured party. So keep this in mind. Now, of course, if you can’t reach a trained individual, then you have no choice but get someone untrained to help.
Remember that drills, no matter how boring or annoying, may be the difference between life and death. Do them as often as possible. This will not only save lives, but, if you are so inclined, may protect property as well. Think of them like they are an investment.
Now, there are a couple of processes you need to observe when giving first aid. Your workers should always know who to call for help. They should also be trained in how to reach and get assistance.
Next, they must know the locations of all first aid kits. They should be placed strategically all over the workplace. Get them in a clear and conspicuous place.
They should also know who the first aid attendants are. They should know who to call, when, when is this person available…
Finally, they must know the exact address of the nearest medical facility. They must memorize the address, as well as have the operating hours and phone numbers listed out clearly.
Be Familiar With Your Workplace
The company’s first aid facility and emergency requirements bank on the work orientation. A coal mine can have a totally different methodology and process as compared to that of a regular office. The kind of training may also vary as deemed suitable. Your first aid and emergency strategy needs to take into consideration the following factors:
- Chemicals that, upon ingestion or exposure, may necessitate a definite structure of treatment procedures, emergency eye-wash stations or showers, or an antidote.
- Controlling the crowd. Study the general area and its surrounding infrastructures like schools, retail stores and parks. How will these institutions react should there be an emergency in your place? It is essential to know their traffic and precautionary measures, as well.
- Ensure extra care for people with special needs. Take into full account how to handle persons with disabilities, known medical conditions, and sensitive age groups like children and the elderly.
- Employees who work alone. This type of employees must be given full orientation on first aid.
- Assessing the proximity of the nearest medical facility. What mode of transportation is needed to transport an injured person? Include in this agenda the personnel who will accompany them.
The First Aid Kit
You can efficiently design the position of items and tools inside your first aid kit. The seconds spent to locate a proper piece of equipment can actually make the difference between life and death. Every workplace needs adequate first aid supplies readily available.
The minimum standard content of a first aid kit are:
- Absorbent compress
- Adhesive bandages and tape
- Single-use antiseptics
- Burn treatment applications
- Sterile pads
- Triangular bandage
- Medical gloves
The First Aid kit contents must be examined regularly and items past the expiration date disposed of accordingly. As earlier mentioned, different industries require a corresponding approach to first aid.
In some instances, colour coding the first aid cases are inevitable for an efficient deployment. Here are the guidelines on the requirements for indoor and outdoor kits:
- Standardization of the sizes of cases
- Unit packaging, including colour coding
- Specifications for the most commonly used items
- The arrangement of first aid materials for easy identification, removal, and replacement
All First Aid kits must be kept in a conspicuous and marked location. Each complete first aid kits should contain the proper information typed in a readable font.
The inside of the kits should have enough space in between every item for easy access. Employees need to know exactly where each item is located.
Another alternative to consider is to contact a medical supply company. These companies do not only replenish your first aid kits to guarantee there are always sufficient supplies, but they help control what types and quantities of items should be in them.
This article was contributed by Alsco NZ – for help with your first aid products and more, please visit the Alsco website.