Picture source: IB Times Singapore
Almost all of us have seen an accident happening either in or out of the workplace. Some of us actually have been next to the victim. So, what did you do for the victim? What was your action? Did we do ‘something’ or likely nothing at all? How we react is likely related to how we were trained in assisting the person who needed our help. Just standing at the site ‘frozen’ or ‘looking around’ is of not much help to the victim or us. We were just bystanders.
In the workplace, the requirements and guidelines for provision of first aid for the injured person is stated in the Factories and Machinery Act 1967. They are;
- Safety, Health & Welfare Regulations 1970; Section 56(1)
- Factories and Machinery (Safety, Health & welfare) Regulation 1970:
Regulation 38; First aid - Factories and Machinery act Part II; Safety, Health and Welfare Section 25 Provision relating to welfare
- Guidelines On First Aid Facilities In The Workplace (DOSH)
Injuries, accidents and diseases can happen anytime and anywhere in the workplace. It can be minor or a serious injury. Employers, owners and even contractors, therefore must provide approved first aid training to its staff as well as adequate supplies of first aid material or kit readily for use when the need arises. The number of workers that need to be trained and supplies needed are dependent upon the number of workers present at anyone shift, the distance to the nearest health facility and how hazardous is the work being performed in that particular workplace. The outcomes of quality aid rendered to the injured efficiently and correctly greatly determine life and death, rapid recovery and long hospitalization, or temporary disability and permanent injury.
Picture source: The Indian Express
Professor Anthony Redmond of the University of Manchester in his research noted that of 178 deaths following traumatic injury with the two most frequent causes of death being road injuries and falls, around half of the deaths could have potentially been prevented if bystanders had stepped in, compared to 39% in a previous study. It was also noted that in 93% of recent cases a 999 call was made; only around half of the bystanders on the scene attempted any first aid while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
A first aider is required to provide immediate and temporary care to an injured or a suddenly ill worker/person. The first series of action initiated by the first aider and is clearly the only ‘medic’ available in the workplace, could alter the life/health of the person while waiting for the hospital staff to arrive. The successful outcome hinges upon the initial series of action taken by the first aider, especially in the case of cardiac arrest and this is called the chain of survival where actions taken early and appropriately greatly improves the survival of the victim.
In the workplace, giving assistance to the injured person is essential, but, the first aider needs to be aware of the associated dangers in the workplace. A first aider can only help if he/she is in a safe position to do so and should not be a ‘hero’ endangering their lives. Therefore, the following first aid priorities should always be kept in mind by the first aider. They are:
- Assess the situation quickly and calmly.
- Protect yourself and the casualties from danger.
- Assess the condition of all casualties.
- Comfort and reassure the casualties.
- Deal with any life threatening conditions.
- Obtain medical aid if necessary. Call an ambulance if you suspect a serious illness or injury.
- Remain with the casualty until further care is available.
- To report your observation to those taking over and to assist if required.
- To prevent cross-infection between yourself and the casualty as far as possible.
We don’t need just laws to compel us to act in a correct manner when it comes to saving limbs and lives. It is our moral, economic and legal contribution to our fellow citizens and workers. First aid skills are therefore one of the essential life skills required not only in the workplace, but in our homes and in the community. Let us all be trained and contribute to society. Don’t be a bystander! First aid saves lives.
REFERENCES
First Aid Manual of the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance & St Andrew’s Ambulance Association
Health & Safety At Work of IIRSM
Factories Machineries Act 1967
Dr. Lim Jac Fang seorang pakar kesihatan pekerjaan di Sabah dan salah seorang penulis tetap Malaysian Medical Gazette. Kenali beliau dengan lebih lanjut di laman The Team.
[This article belongs to The Malaysian Medical Gazette. Any republication (online or offline) without written permission from The Malaysian Medical Gazette is prohibited.]