How to Provide First Aid for Workplace Accidents"

Definition of First Aid for Workplace Accidents

First aid for workplace accidents is the initial action provided to workers who experience injuries, sudden illness, or emergencies in the workplace before receiving further medical treatment.

First aid aims to preserve the victim's safety, prevent the condition from worsening, and assist the recovery process. This action needs to be carried out quickly, accurately, and according to the rescuer's capabilities.

In the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), every company needs to have emergency response procedures, first aid facilities, and workers who understand the basics of handling workplace accident victims.

Why is First Aid in the Workplace Very Important?

Workplace accidents can happen at any time, whether in office environments, factories, construction projects, laboratories, or other workplaces.

Some conditions that require first aid include injuries caused by sharp objects, bleeding, burns, falls, electric shocks, and workers experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Proper first aid can help to:

• Maintain the victim's safety before medical help arrives.

• Prevent injuries from getting worse.

• Reduce the risk of complications.

• Accelerate the victim's access to medical services.

• Enhance the company's preparedness in facing emergencies.

However, first aid is not a substitute for professional medical treatment. Rescuers must know the limits of their abilities and immediately request medical assistance if necessary.

7 Ways to Provide First Aid for Workplace Accidents

1. Ensure the Scene is Safe

Before providing aid, check the environmental conditions around the victim.

Ensure there are no hazards that could threaten the victim or the rescuer, such as operating machinery, exposed electrical wires, fires, hazardous chemicals, or the risk of falling objects.

If the location is not yet safe, do not approach the victim immediately. Activate emergency response procedures and ask for help from authorized personnel.

2. Check the Victim's Condition

Once the location is confirmed safe, check the victim's responsiveness by calling them and gently tapping their shoulder if no severe injury is suspected.

Observe whether the victim is conscious, breathing normally, experiencing severe bleeding, or showing signs of serious injury.

If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally or only gasping, immediately ask someone to call emergency services and get an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), if available. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to training and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.

3. Stop the Bleeding

Bleeding from workplace injuries, for example due to sharp objects or machinery, needs to be handled immediately.

Steps that can be taken:

• Use protective gloves if available.

• Apply direct pressure to the wound using sterile gauze or a clean cloth.

• Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops or medical help arrives.

• If blood seeps through the dressing, add another dressing on top without removing the first one.

• Seek medical help immediately if the bleeding is severe or uncontrollable.

If there is an object embedded in the wound, do not remove it. Apply pressure around the object without pressing it deeper and seek medical help immediately.

4. Handle Burns Correctly

Burns in the workplace can be caused by fire, hot surfaces, steam, electricity, or chemicals.

For thermal burns:

• Move the victim away from the heat source if it is safe to do so.

• Cool the burn with cool running water for about 20 minutes.

• Remove jewelry or clothing around the burn if they are not stuck to the skin.

• Cover the wound loosely using a clean, non-stick dressing.

Avoid using ice, toothpaste, butter, or other household items on burns.

For chemical burns, follow the safety procedures for the materials involved. For skin exposure, remove contaminated clothing if safe and rinse with running water according to material safety instructions. If the material is a dry powder, carefully brush it off first before rinsing if the material safety instructions require it. Do not touch the material without appropriate protection.

Extensive burns, burns to the face or airway, as well as electrical or chemical burns require immediate medical evaluation.

5. Provide Aid for Fainting Victims

Workers may experience fainting due to various conditions, such as fatigue, dehydration, or health issues.

If the victim faints:

• Ensure the location is safe.

• Check the victim's responsiveness and breathing.

• If the victim is unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position if no spinal injury or other severe injuries are suspected.

• If severe injury is suspected, avoid moving the victim unless there is immediate danger or it is necessary to maintain the airway.

• Do not give food, drink, or medication by mouth to an unconscious victim.

• Request medical help immediately.

If the victim is not breathing normally, immediately perform CPR and use an AED if available according to training.

6. Handle Suspected Fractures or Fall Injuries

Accidents such as slipping, falling from a height, or being hit by objects can cause fractures and serious injuries.

Initial aid that can be provided:

• Do not force the victim to stand or walk.

• Avoid moving the injured body part.

• Stabilize the injured part in the position it was found, if possible.

• Do not attempt to straighten the bone or push a protruding bone back into the wound.

• Contact medical help immediately, especially if the victim fell from a height or experiences severe pain, bleeding, or impaired consciousness.

Moving the victim is only done if there is immediate danger or it is necessary to save their life.

7. Contact Medical Help Immediately

First aid must be followed by an assessment of whether the victim requires professional treatment.

Immediately contact emergency services if the victim experiences:

• Unconsciousness or difficulty waking up.

• Abnormal breathing.

• Severe bleeding.

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing.

• Suspected serious head or spinal injuries.

• Extensive burns or exposure to hazardous chemicals.

• Prolonged seizures or a first-time seizure.

• Severe injuries from falling, being hit by an object, or electric shock.

Convey the incident location, number of victims, type of injuries, the victim's condition, and any remaining hazards. Do not leave the victim alone if the situation permits, and follow the emergency dispatcher's instructions.

First Aid Equipment That Needs to be Available in the Workplace

Companies need to provide first aid facilities appropriate for the type of work and its potential hazards.

Some commonly needed equipment includes:

• An easily accessible first aid kit.

• Sterile gauze and bandages.

• Adhesive plasters.

• Disposable gloves.

• Medical scissors.

• Eye wash solution appropriate for the workplace needs.

• Protective masks for first aid procedures according to protocol.

• Relevant personal protective equipment (PPE).

• AED if required based on the company's risk assessment and preparedness.

Equipment must be checked regularly to ensure completeness, cleanliness, and expiration dates. The company also needs to ensure workers know the location of the first aid kit and how to request help in an emergency.

The Importance of Basic First Aid Training for Workers

Simply having a first aid kit is not enough. Workers need to understand how to use it and know the correct actions to take when facing a workplace accident.

Through Basic First Aid training, participants can learn the principles of rescuer safety, initial victim assessment, bleeding management, burn treatment, and basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices according to the training scope.

Training equipped with simulations helps participants understand first aid steps and enhances preparedness in facing emergency conditions.

Companies can tailor training materials to the potential hazards in the work environment, the number of workers, and the applicable emergency response procedures.

Conclusion

Providing first aid for workplace accidents begins with ensuring the location is safe, checking the victim's condition, providing assistance according to the type of injury, and immediately contacting medical services if needed.

Quick and appropriate action can help preserve the victim's safety and prevent the condition from worsening. However, first aid must be performed according to the rescuer's capabilities and does not replace professional medical treatment.

Therefore, companies need to provide first aid facilities, establish emergency response procedures, and equip workers with knowledge through first aid training.

Enhance OHS Preparedness with PT HSE Swadaya Indonesia

PT HSE Swadaya Indonesia provides occupational health and safety training services, including Basic First Aid training to help improve participants' knowledge and skills in facing workplace emergencies.

Through training tailored to company needs, workers are expected to be able to understand first aid principles and respond to emergencies more appropriately.

Contact PT HSE Swadaya Indonesia for information regarding the Basic First Aid training program for your company.

Related Safety Training & Solutions

Upgrade your company occupational safety compliance with accredited programs at HSE Swadaya Training Catalog or consult your needs via Contact Us.