Administering First Aid in the Workplace
In the event of an emergency or injury in the workplace it may be necessary to administer first aid until medical professionals arrive. This may include bandaging wounds or ensuring that patrons have access to medical equipment. Depending on the risk level associated with the workplace employers may need to ensure that some employees are trained in basic first aid to comply with industry guidelines.
Establish First aid Protocol
It is important that all workplaces have first aid procedure so that in the event of an injury medical attention can be provided quickly and effectively. If an injury does occur patrons should know where first aid equipment is located and who is trained in administering medical help.
- Establish a first aid kit in the workplace in a central and well known location.
- Ensure that patrons trained in first aid are on hand to provide medical assistance if the need should arise. High risk workplaces should ensure that most of their employees have some first aid experience.
- Employees with special health concerns such as allergies or conditions such as epilepsy should make this known to supervisors and other employees so that in the event that these patrons require attention aid can be administered quickly and effectively.
- If there is any doubt as to the state of an employee’s health after an injury has occurred have them seek professional medical advice and if necessary call an ambulance.
- If employees receive head injuries continue to monitor them and ensure that upon their leaving of the workplace that they seek medical advice or request the monitoring of a family member or friend.
Create a First aid Kit
First aid kits should contain a wide variety of medical equipment, but simple enough so that they can be utilized effectively in emergency situations. It may be appropriate to have multiple first aid kits in the workplace or even an established infirmary with a trained nurse or doctor on hand.
- First aid kits should be catered to the workplace and its employees. This means that High risk work places may require more robust kits or even infirmaries and equipment such as Epi pens should be on hand if some employees have allergies.
- Different Medical equipment requires differing storage methods. For example Ice packs need to be kept cold. It is important that this equipment be stored appropriately so it is ready for use and that employees know the location of all first aid gear.
- Whilst most first aid equipment is easy to use it is important that some employees are trained in using more complicated equipment so that the workplace is prepared for a variety of emergency scenarios.
Train your employees in First Aid
High risk workplaces need to ensure that some if not all employees have some form of first aid training. It may even be appropriate to establish and maintain an infirmary with a dedicated nurse or doctor in attendance. There are different levels of first aid training available to employees to ensure that workplaces can be ready for a wide range of emergency scenarios catered to their enterprise.
- Encourage workers to undertake first aid training by subsidising their education or by offering them payed leave.
- Ensure that employees are aware of the benefits receiving first aid training can provide for their professional and personal lives.
- There are various levels and types of qualification available; understanding what type of education is best for your employees and the workplace can make the process easier.
