How to organize first aid in the workplace?

Accidents at work are a common occurrence in every industry. Proper health and safety training and strict adherence to safety rules are not always enough. Inattention, unexpected equipment failure, or other circumstances may contribute to an injury that requires prompt intervention. The victim’s survival often depends on its time. That is why pre-medical first aid is so important.

Despite the great emphasis on shaping the first aid skills of each person, in practice it often turns out that none of the accident observers knows how to proceed. Unfortunately, theoretical knowledge is not always sufficient to overcome the barrier of fear and uncertainty. In a workplace where the probability of such circumstances is greater, it is worth trying not only to receive training, but also practice.

The basis for efficient assistance is knowledge, but it is also worth taking care of responsible people. The selection of employees with predispositions and imposing on them an additional function makes them feel obliged to improve their skills in the field of first aid. The next step is appropriate training, but the professional course should not be addressed only to selected people. The best solution is to organize activities for all employees as part of periodic health and safety training.

Of course, the best and most effective solution would be to prepare at least one employee in the hall, department or other organizational unit of the company. In the event of an injury, he could react immediately, providing help to the injured person. Sometimes, however, injuries or injuries require greater skills, and even specific powers and strictly medical knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to organize first aid points on the premises of the plant.

The features of such a point are:

• location in a clearly visible, accessible and clearly marked place,

• equipment adapted to the nature of the plant and its risk factors,

• on-call for the entire time of the plant’s operation (also 24/7 in the case of continuous operation),

• service entrusted to employees with appropriate training.

It is worth remembering that pre-medical first aid can be provided by any person, even if they are not trained. On the other hand, the establishment of first aid points and the appointment of staff to service them is the responsibility of the employer. Therefore, it depends on him whether he will provide such people with the possibility of further training.

Provision of pre-medical first aid requires appropriate equipment. At the points, these are furniture and devices helpful in dressing wounds or other procedures. Nevertheless, there should be first aid kits with appropriate equipment throughout the plant. It includes basic dressings, such as bandages, sterile gauze, hydrogen peroxide or plasters. However, it is not allowed to put any pharmaceuticals in the first aid kits, in particular painkillers or other drugs that can be overdosed.

Only a doctor with whom the dressing point should have telephone contact is authorized to administer medications. In enterprises employing several hundred employees, a qualified physician or paramedic may also be employed on a permanent basis. This is especially important in those companies where employees are extremely exposed to harmful factors.

Source: https://www.seka.pl/pierwsza-pomoc-przedlekarska-jak-ja-zorganizowac-w-zakladzie-pracy/

Region Gdański NSZZ „Solidarność”

Projekt otrzymał dofinansowanie z Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach programu „Dialog społeczny – godna praca”.

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