First Aid at Work
It is the first care given to casualties before treatment by medical personnel can be made available.
People at work can suffer injuries or be taken ill. It doesn’t matter whether the injury or illness is caused by the work they do or not, it is important to give them immediate attention and call an ambulance in serious cases. First aid at work covers the arrangements you should make to ensure this happens. It can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones.
Objective of first aid
- To stop bleeding
- Overcome shock
- Relieve pain
- Prevent infection
What should I put in the first-aid box?
There is no mandatory list of items to put in a first-aid box. It depends on what you assess your needs to be. As a guide, where work activities involve low hazards, a minimum stock of first-aid items might be:
Individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work (you can provide hypoallergenic plasters, if necessary);
- Two sterile eye pads;
Four individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;
- Six safety pins;
- Two large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmediated
wound dressings; - Six medium-sized, individually wrapped, sterile,
unmediated wound dressings; - ) A pair of disposable gloves
What are the signs and symptoms of heat cramps?
- Cramping in the extremities (arms and legs)
- Abdominal Cramps (stomach)
- Excessive Sweating
What is the treatment for heat cramps?
- . Move the casualty to a cool, shady area or improvise shade if
none is available. - Loosen his clothing (if not in a chemical environment)
In a chemical environment, transport the heat casualty to a non-contaminated area as soon as the mission permits.
Have him slowly drink at least one canteen full of water. (The body absorbs cool water faster than warm or cold water; therefore, cool water is preferred if it is available.)
- Seek medical assistance should cramps continue.
What are the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion?
- Excessive sweating with pale, moist, cool skin
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- . Cramping
- Nausea (with or without vomiting)
- . Urge to defecate
- Chills (Gooseflesh)
- Rapid Breathing
- Tingling of Hands/Feet
- Confusion
What would the treatment be for heat exhaustion?
Move the casualty to a cool, shady area or improvise shade if none is available.
Loosen or remove his clothing and boots (unless in a chemical environment); pour water on him and fan him
Have him slowly drink at least one canteen of water.
- Elevate his legs
If possible, the casualty should not participate in strenuous activity for the remainder of the day.
Monitor the casualty until the symptoms are gone, or medical assistance arrives.
What are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke?
- Skin is red, hot and dry
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Seizures
- Stomach pains or cramps
- . Respiration and pulse may be rapid and weak
- Unconsciousness and collapse may occur suddenly
What would the treatment be for heat stroke?
Moving him to a cool, shady area or improvising shade if none is available
. Loosening or removing his clothing (except in a chemical environment).
Spraying or pouring water on him; fanning him to permit the coolant effect of evaporation.
Massaging his extremities and skin, which increases the blood flow to those body areas, thus aiding the cooling process
- Elevating his legs.
Having him slowly drink at least one canteen full of water if he is conscious.
- Seek medical assistance immediately
What are two basic types of fractures?
- Open (compound)
- Closed (simple)
What are some signs of an open fracture?
- Bleeding
- Bones sticking through the skin
- Check for pulse
What are some signs of a closed fracture?
- Swelling
- Discoloration
- Deformity
- Unusual body position.
- Check for pulse.
With an open fracture, what should you do first?
Stop the bleeding
What are the three types of bleeding?
- Arterial- Blood is bright red and will spurt with each heart beat
Venous- Blood is dark red and flows in a steady stream
- Capillary- Blood oozes from the wound
4 common points for checking pulse
- Carotid- The side of the neck
- . Femoral- The groin
- Radial- The wrist
- Posterial Tibial- Ankle
