First Aid - General

    What are first aid requirements?
    What does the legislation say?
    What documentation is required?
    What should all employees know about first aid?
    Do I need to do a hazard assessment for first aid?
    What is a sample checklist for a first aid assessment?

What is first aid?

First aid is emergency care given immediately to an injured person. The purpose of first aid is to minimize injury and future disability. In serious cases, first aid may be necessary to keep the victim alive.

What are first aid requirements?

All Canadian jurisdictions have a requirement for the workplace to provide at least some level of first aid. The type of first aid equipment and training required depends on:

the number of employees,
the types of hazards present at the workplace, and
the travel distance to a hospital/availability of professional medical assistance.

In addition, each jurisdiction will have specific requirements for reporting injuries (types, length of time to report to compensation board, details that need to be reported, etc.).

What does the legislation say?

First aid regulations will specify, in detail, your jurisdiction's requirements. These details will include:

the need for a first aid attendant
the level of training or certification required for the first aid attendant
number of first aid attendants required (during operational hours or per shift)
the type and amount of first aid supplies and facilities (content of first aid kits and room equipment)
location of kits and notices (in some cases)
emergency transportation
accident/incident reporting requirements

Legislation may also specify that first aid supplies are to be, for example:

stocked with required and appropriate items
kept clean and dry
checked regularly for expiry dates
maintained so they meet the regulations
requirements, at minimum (e.g., restocked when supplies are used)
stored in a visible and accessible location

What documentation is required?

Employers are usually required to maintain written records of all injuries and treatment given in a first aid treatment record book or log. Each event should be recorded and include:

the worker's name,
date and time of injury,
location and nature of the injury,
description of how the injury occurred,
type or description of first aid treatment given,
time first aid was given,
patient's signature,
first aid attendant's signature,
date and time of reporting, and
name of person the injury was reported to.

Where this book is kept and who has access to it may vary with the need for privacy.

What should all employees know about first aid?

Only employees trained in first aid should assist a victim. Never give first aid treatment for which you are not trained.
As part of their emergency preparedness training, employees should know how to respond during an injury or illness situation. In terms of first aid, employees should know:

Procedures to be followed when first aid is required (including what types of injuries should be reported) (e.g., who to call for help, remain with the victim until first aid attendants arrive, etc.)
Location of first aid room and/or first aid kit(s).
Location of a list of first aid attendants which indicates where to find the attendant or a telephone number.
Location of a list of nearest medical facilities (name, address, operating hours and telephone numbers).
Location of a list of the organization's key personnel by name, title and telephone numbers that are prioritized by "call first, call second, etc."

Do I need to do a hazard assessment for first aid?

While a first aid hazard assessment is not required in all jurisdictions, conducting one will ensure the workplace is prepared for all likely emergencies and the types of first aid treatment that may be needed. It is essential to know the exact hazards in the workplace as being prepared will also help reduce the severity of any events.
For example, if you work in an autobody repair shop, provisions should be made to have training and first aid supplies for:

Burns and welding flash from welding
Burns and eye injuries from grinding
Cuts, scrapes, etc. from general work
Chemical exposure to the eye or skin from paints, thinners, gasoline, etc.
Muscle injuries from lifting and bending
Etc.

Depending on the workplace, there may also be need to consider:

Chemicals that may require a specific sequence of treatment steps, emergency eye-wash stations or showers, or an antidote
Crowd control (e.g., at schools, retail stores, music concerts, fairgrounds, etc.)
Special needs (e.g., persons with disabilities, known medical conditions, age of persons regularly in the workplace (especially children or elderly))
Employees who work alone
Transportation to a medical facility (e.g., need for vehicle, boat or plane, need for a second person to accompany the injured person, etc.)

What is a sample checklist for a first aid assessment?

Below is a sample worksheet. Customize it for your workplace needs. Alternatively, the information collected in other job safety analysis or hazard assessments may be used.

Worksheet
Name and Location of Workplace:
Hazard Assessment: Jobs done at this worksite, work processes, equipment, tools, chemicals, materials, etc.
Types of injuries that may occur (include common and rare events)
Number of Workers Per Shift
Required First Aid (e.g., attendants, first aid kits, supplies as stated in legislation)
Barriers to First Aid (e.g., travel distance to nearest hospital or treatment centre)
Summary of Findings (e.g., Is there need for specialized training, transportation, etc. which may be above legislated minimum requirements?)
Action Required
Date:
Name and Signature:

Posted 15th June 2013 by Dr. Amar Nath Giri-NAGARJUNA-GROUP-NFCL

FIRST-AID LEAFLET

SITUATIONS – PROCEDURES

Industrial Medicine Division

Central Labour Institute

Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India

Sion, Mumbai 400 022, INDIA

Telephone: 0091 – 22 – 24092203

Fax: 0091 – 22 – 24071986

E-mail: imd@dgfasli.nic.in Website: www.dgfasli.nic.in

FIRST AID

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

CONTROL OF BLEEDING

FRACTURES

BURNS

SHOCK

WOUNDS

EYE INJURIES

ABDOMINAL WOUNDS

BACKBONE FRACTURE

HEAT STROKE

BLEEDING NOSE

FOREIGN BODY IN THE NOSE

BLEEDING EAR

FOREIGN BODY IN THE EAR

SNAKE BITE

DOG BITE

INSECT BITE

CHEMICAL BURNS

SUFFOCATION

ELECTRIC SHOCK

UNCONSCIOUSNESS

POISONING

FIRST - AID

First-aid is the immediate care given to the victim of an accident or sudden illness before the arrival of a qualified expert. The purpose of First-aid is to preserve life, assist recovery, prevent aggravation and minimize complications at a later date with the help of such material as may be available.

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

· Mouth to Mouth: This is appropriate and effective technique for emergency artificial respiration.

· Keep the head slightly backward and open the jaw.

· Seal the casualty’s nose to prevent escape of air by pinching with thumb and index finger.

· Take a deep breath, open your mouth widely, place it over the victim’s mouth and make a tight seal.

· Quickly blow the full breath into the mouth of victim.

· Remove your mouth from the victim and allow him to exhale passively.

· Repeat the procedure 12 to 15 times per minute, till medical aid is arranged.

· Arrange immediate medical aid.

CAUTIONARY NOTE

· Do not give mouth to mouth resuscitation during CPR in the presence of toxins such as cyanide, hydrogen sulphide, corrosives and organo-phosphates. Ventilate the casualty by using a face mask or bag/valve/mask assembly.

· Avoid mouth to mouth resuscitation if there is possibility of transmission of infection between the victim and the rescuer, such as HIV, Hepatitis-B, Tuberculosis, Shigellosis, Meningococcal meningitis, Herpes simplex virus and Salmonella. Use an interpositional airway device which must function effectively in both its resuscitation and protective roles, and be immediately available at all times.

CONTROL OF BLEEDING

· Apply direct pressure by thumb or finger.

· Apply dressing – gauze pad and bandage.

· Apply indirect pressure on pressure points.

· Apply tourniquet.

· Remove the injured to the hospital.

FRACTURES

Signs of Fracture : Pain, Tenderness, Swelling,

Loss of Power, Deformity

· Do not move the injured unless the life is endangered from other causes.

· Deal with the haemorrhage and breathing difficulties. Immobilise the fracture by using suitable splints.

· Immobilisation should include one joint above and one joint below the fracture.

· Remove the injured to the hospital.

BURNS

· Pour running cold water on the affected part.

· Do not apply ointments or oils or any other substance.

· Cover the wound with sterilized cloth.

· Give artificial respiration, if needed.

· Prevent shock.

· Arrange immediate medical aid.

SHOCK

· Lay the patient on his back.

· Stop bleeding, if any.

· Relieve pain by supporting the injured part.

· Keep the patient comfortable.

· Do not cause sweating.

· Fluids may be given by mouth in small amounts, if the patient is conscious.

· Reassure the patient.

· Arrange immediate medical aid.

WOUNDS

· Stop the bleeding, if any.

· Avoid touching the wounds.

· Cover the wound with sterilized cloth.

· Arrange immediate medical aid.

EYE INJURIES

· Removal of foreign body should not be attempted.

· Do not apply oil or ointment.

· Apply sterile pad and loose bandage.

· Send the patient to the hospital.

ABDOMINAL WOUNDS

· No time should be lost in sending the patient to the hospital.

· Keep the patient flat on his back.

· Give nothing by mouth.

· Maintain warmth.

· If intestines protrude from the wound, do not attempt to touch or replace them.

· Apply sterile dressing and binder on the wound.

· Provide immediate transportation to the hospital.

BACKBONE FRACTURE

· Fracture of backbone may lead to paralysis of limbs. Hence, victim should be handled with great care.

· Transport on a rigid frame, which may be improvised by using available board.

· The rigid frame is to be placed on a stretcher for transportation.

· Immediate hospitalization is needed.

HEAT STROKE

· Make the patient lie down.

· Remove all clothings except the underwear.

· Keep the patient under the fan.

· Pour cold water on the body repeatedly.

· Wash the head thoroughly with cold water and dry it with towel.

· Record body temperature falls up to 38ºC stop pouring water.

· Give plenty of cold water with a pinch of common salt in each glass of water to drink.

· Send the patient to the hospital.

BLEEDING NOSE

· Make the patient sit on a Chair with head downward.

· Pinch the nose with fingers and thumb.

· Apply ice or cold compression.

· Do not plug the nostrils.

· Do not put water or any medicine through the nostrils.

· Send for medical aid immediately.

FOREIGN BODY IN THE NOSE

Do not try to remove the solid object.
Ask the patient to breathe through mouth.
Send the patient to the hospital.

BLEADING EAR

· Lay the patient with the head slightly raised.

· Incline the head to the affected side and apply a dry dressing over the ear with loose bandage.

· Do not plug the ear.

· Apply pressure in front of the ear.

· Send for medical aid immediately.

FOREIGN BODY IN THE EAR

· Solid – Do not try to remove, scratch or probe it.

· Insects – Put a few drops of water in the ear and turn the head so that affected ear points upwards.

· Keep the head in that position for 5 minutes, then turn the head downwards so that the water flows out.

· Arrange immediate medical aid.

SNAKE BITE

· Reassure the patient

· Do not allow the person to run or walk

· Apply a ligature above the wound (in between the heart and the wound) if the bite is in the leg or hand.

· Wash the wound with potassium permanganate solution or with soap and water.

· Allow free bleeding.

· Never suck the blood from the wound.

· Treat for shock.

· Arrange immediate hospitalization, by transporting the patient in a lying down position.

OG BITE

· Clean the wound immediately with water.

· Then wash with antiseptic soap and water.

· Do not try to stop bleeding.

· Do not cover the wound.

· Send the patient to hospital for treatment.

INSECT BITE

· The sting bite should be pulled out.

· Apply cold compression.

· Apply vinegar diluted with water.

· Soda-bicarbonate paste should be applied at the site.

· Prevent shock.

· Send for medial aid immediately.

CHEMICAL BURNS OF THE EYES

· Immediate washing of the eye with clean water at least for fifteen minute or longer.

· Apply sterile dressing over the eye.

· Neutralising agents or ointments should not be used.

· Send the patient to the hospital.

SUFFOCATION

· Remove the patient from the source

· Clean the airways.

· Restore breathing by artificial respiration.

· Send the patient to the hospital.

ELECTRIC SHOCK / INJURIES

· Do not touch the casualty while he is still in contact with electricity.

· Switch off the current at once.

· Do not attempt first aid until the contact has been broken.

· Make the air passage clear and clean.

· Restore breathing Artificial respiration and external cardiac massage, if needed.

· Call for immediate medical aid.

· Send the patient to the hospital.

UNCONSCIOUSNESS

· Make the patient lie down on his belly with head turned to one side.

· Check breathing and pulse.

· Loosen tight clothings.

· Clean the air-way.

· Give artificial respiration and external Cardiac Massage, if needed.

· Transport the patient to the hospital.

POISONING

· Find the nature of the poison

· Give universal antidote mixture as given below to drink:

Charcoal powder - 2 table spoons

Coffee powder - 2 table spoons

Chalk powder - 1 table spoon

Add it to a glass of warm water and mix well.

· Send the patient immediately to the hospital.

First Aid in Road Accidents

Many deaths and impact of injuries can be prevented with First Aid if causalities are treated immediately.

First aid is the initial care given to an injured person. Mostly, this timely care prior to the arrival of the medical help means the difference between life and death. It must start immediately when the injury or illness occurs and continue until medical help arrives or the casualty recovers.

The basic aims of first aid are:

To save life.
To protect the casualty from getting more harm.
To reduce pain and Priorities of Casualty Treatment.

Priorities of Casualty Treatment

Asphyxia
Cardiac Arrest
Severe Haemorrhage (Bleeding)
Other Injuries/Illnesses
Shock

IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENT:

Critical four minutes: One of the most common causes of a road accident death is due to loss of oxygen supply. This is mostly caused by a blocked airway. Normally it takes less than four minutes for a blocked airway to cause death.

The 'golden hour': The first hour after the trauma is called the 'golden hour'. If proper first aid is given, road accident victims has a greater chance of survival and a reduction in the severity of their injuries.

Posted 1st January 2013 by Dr. Amar Nath Giri-NAGARJUNA-GROUP-NFCL

First Aid - General

With best regards,
(2014)

Dr. AMAR NATH GIRI

EHSQ , NFCL
M.Sc.,Ph.D & DIPLOMA AS - P.G.D.E.P.L,CES, DCA,
EX IIM LUCKNOW FELLOW, EX RESEARCH SCIENTIST
IGIDR-MUMBAI
9912511918
amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com
http://www.nagarjunagroup.com
http://www.nagarjunafertilizers.com

EHSQ BLOG : http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/?view=magazine

Wednesday 22 January 2014