It is of little surprise that thousands of emergencies take place every year in workplaces around the world. Millions of employees spend approximately eight hours a day on work premises, and it is a matter of sheer probability that an emergency will inevitably occur. Such emergencies can be the result of severe ill health or an accident that took place at work. In a true emergency that has the potential to be life-threatening or have serious long-term health consequences, time is of the essence. If meaningful medical interventions can take place swiftly, the affected staff member has the best possible chance of making a full recovery. However, it should be recognized that the average working adult may not be fully aware of what to do in a workplace emergency. In this guide, some key points on how to empower your employees to handle workplace emergencies will be explored.
Ensure you have suitable equipment and supplies
Firstly, it is important to consider that workplace emergencies can take many different forms. They can range from a staff member choking on their lunch (and the need to undertake the Heimlich maneuver) to dealing with severe burns, cuts, and even a worker who has suffered a cardiac arrest (information on this will be discussed later in this article). In short, there is a range of situations that can lead to a workplace emergency, and first-aid-trained staff must have access to suitable supplies and equipment. Purchasing managers should ensure that they keep a log of all their on-site medical supplies, such as plasters, gauze, and even an automated external defibrillator. For example, you can buy a wide range of plasters from seton.co.uk that can be used in all types of wound care, from minor cuts to more severe injuries. All staff should know where the nearest first aid kit is (there may be more than one in a large company building) and should be competent in using basic equipment.
Roll out staff first aid training
A key way to empower staff to deliver excellent first aid is by rolling out comprehensive training. All staff should undertake basic first aid training as part of the onboarding process. This knowledge can be refreshed through annual training so that it does not become forgotten or competency diminishes. In addition, staff should also be offered advanced forms of first aid training, especially if they wish to become designated on-site first aiders. This training can encompass more complex forms of first aid, such as resuscitation and being able to assess a person who is showing signs of experiencing a stroke.
In life-threatening cardiac arrest
It is estimated that there are approximately 10,000 cardiac arrests that occur in American workplaces every year. A cardiac arrest is a life-threatening event where the heart stops beating (or has a sustained and ineffective irregular rhythm). Immediate action is required to give the patient the best possible chances of survival before emergency services arrive on the scene (an emergency call should be placed as soon as a cardiac arrest is witnessed). Staff can be empowered to deal with such emergencies by receiving comprehensive CPR training. Ideally, this will also include practical learning on how to do chest compressions, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
