Why have this talk? First aid is emergency aid. It aims to minimise injury and illness until qualified medical help arrives. It can save lives.
What will this talk cover? How first aid is provided by the organisation and what to do if someone falls ill or is injured.
Make sure everyone knows
- Where the first aid kit is kept in the workplace, plus any mobile kits, eyewash stations, defibrillators, etc.
- Who is an appointed first aider and where to find them. If on a construction site they should be easy to identify, eg certain hi-vis jacket or helmet.
- The fact that first aiders may not dispense medication, including paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Procedures when working in a small group away from the main workplace or when using potentially dangerous tools or machinery, etc.
- Know where to access phones and understand the procedure for calling the emergency services.
- How first aid procedures have changed in view of the pandemic due to COVID.
What to do if someone is ill or injured
- Make sure the area is safe before approaching the injured or ill person.
- Remove any hazard from the vicinity of the casualty, if safe to do so.
- Call for help, eg first aider.
- Send someone to phone for an ambulance if necessary.
- Do not move the casualty unless they are in immediate danger.
- Remain with the casualty and give reassurance.
- Make the casualty as comfortable as possible.
- Do not give drinks or food to the casualty, moisten lips with water only if requested.
- Do not allow the casualty to smoke.
