First Aid at Work - What to Do When an Emergency Happens - Part 2

Even with the most comprehensive safetyimmediately and do not move the injured person
training, accidents still occur. Understanding basicunless you are absolutely sure the movement will
first aid skills can save a life or lesson the impactnot make the injury worse. If you do have to
of an injury. Knowing what to do in emergencymove the victim, apply a splint to the break with
situations just takes a little training so you will ablesomething rigid. The idea is the to keep the
to react quickly and correctly until medical helpinjured area from shifting and making the injury
arrives. Nothing takes the place of CPR or first aidworse. A bandage or strip of cloth should be tied
training but here are some examples of how youaround the splint and affected area.
can assist in an injury situation.In a compound fracture the bone breaks through
Strains and Sprainsthe skin. Don't try to push the bone back under
When a muscle stretches beyond it's normalthe skin. Use a clean dressing to stop the bleeding
range of motion a strain or sprain can occur.and then treat it the same as a simple fracture.
Warming up properly is best way to prevent this.Blood
Warm-up with stretching exercises beforeBe very careful around injuries where there is
beginning strenuous work. If a pulled muscleblood present and wear latex gloves if possible.
occurs elevate the injured area and keep it aboveInfectious diseases are carried in the blood and if
the heart. This will help minimize swelling. Applyyou feel a blood related injury is unsafe you
and remove ice in a 30 minutes on, 15 minutesshould wait until medics arrives.
off cycle for several hours.First aid is all about preparation. Every employee
Broken or Fractured Bonesshould take a first aid class and learn about AEDs
There are two types of fractures - Simple andand CPR. If you are prepared, you can think and
Compound. In a compound break the bone comesact quickly in an emergency and maybe even
through the skin and in a simple break it does not.save a life.
If a simple break occurs call for medical help