Workplace First Aid Guide

Workplace poster Aus 1/4/05 9:12 am Page 1

READ ME FIRST 1. RESPONSE 4. CIRCULATION 7. BLEEDING 10.

This guide is designed to help you and your colleagues to administer life To give your casualty the optimum chances of survival you must quickly ASSESS THE CASUALTY FOR SIGNS OF CIRCULATION 1. Put on your gloves.
saving first-aid until trained help is at hand. Do not wait until you are faced assess their levels of response. A rapid assessment will allow effective 2. Examine the injury - if any foreign objects are present leave them
with an emergency, read the guide now and often. treatment to be administered and will also allow for accurate information to be 1. Look, Listen and Feel for normal breathing, coughing or in place and dress around.
Find out who is the nominated first-aider or appointed person within your passed on to the ambulance service. movement.
3. Open a dressing (fig 1) and place it firmly over the injury.
workplace. If there is a procedure in force 2. Only if you are trained to do so, check the carotid pulse.*
for calling out an ambulance find out what 4. Apply firm pressure.
3. Take no more than 10 seconds to do this.
it is now! 5. Secure the dressing.
NOT BREATHING, SIGNS OF LIFE PRESENT
“Are you alright?” “Can you hear me?” 6. Apply 1 dressing at a time up to a maximum of 2. If blood seeps
1. Apply 10 rescue breaths (See ‘Breathing’ below). through both dressings, remove them and apply a new dressing.
AFFIX YOUR
Gently tap the shoulders at the 2. After every 10 rescue breaths re-check the circulation. 7. If dealing with a limb, keep the affected part elevated (fig 2).
FACESHIELD same time.
NOT BREATHING, SIGNS OF LIFE ABSENT 8. If your casualty has lost a considerable amount of blood they may
HERE start to exhibit signs of shock.
1. Apply 2 rescue breaths.
* 9. Lay your conscious casualty down, conserve body heat and raise
2. Now give 15 compressions.
the legs (fig 3).
3. Repeat the above eg; 2 rescue
breaths and 15 compressions. 10.Reassure.
4. Continue until the casualty recovers Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3
Occupational Health: Pager: or help arrives.
First aider / appointed person’s extension:
The nearest first aid box is located at:
The nearest eyewash station is located at:
Useful numbers:

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT 2. AIRWAY 5. CHEST COMPRESSIONS 8. FRACTURES 11.

ELECTRICITY OPEN THE AIRWAY 1. Ensure the casualty is on a firm, flat surface. 1. Instruct the casualty to remain still.
2. Locate the Sternum (the flat bone located centrally in the chest 2. Do not attempt to move the affected part.
FUMES/GASES FOR AN UNRESPONSIVE CASUALTY which joins the ribs together). 3. Examine the injury for any blood loss - treat this first.
1. Open the airway by lifting the chin and tilting the head. This will 3. Place the heal of one hand on the lower sternum (approximately 2
TRAFFIC 4. If any bone protrudes from the injury do not touch it, if blood loss
free the tongue from the rear of the throat. fingers up from its base. Place the heel of the other hand on top is evident build your dressings up around it rather than over it.
2. If any neck injuries are suspected lift the chin only by placing of this hand and interlock the fingers.
MOVING MACHINERY three forefingers of both hands under the angles of the jaw
5. The casualty will find the most comfortable position and will not
4. Compress the chest (up to a maximum depth of approximately 4- be keen to have the injury touched.
("Jaw Thrust" technique). 5cm, 15 times at a rate of approximately 2 compressions per
FALLING DEBRIS 6. If the casualty cannot maintain a stable condition for themselves
second) and give 2 rescue breaths.
you may provide assistance or stabilise the injury with your
FIRE 5. Repeat above eg. 2 rescue breaths and 15 compressions. hands.
Whenever you approach an incident always ensure that the environment is HAND 7. Call the EMS.
safe for you to administer First-Aid, and secondly that the casualty is safe. If POSITION
the situation is not safe you must neutralise or control any hazards. You must STEADY
THE
only move your casualty as a last resort.
INJURED
BASE OF PART
EXAMPLE: BUILDING ON FIRE STERNUM
Action
1. Ensure that you are aware of the number of casualties involved.
2. Find out if anyone has any FIRST-AID knowledge.
3. Utilise bystanders to: call THE EMS, comfort the casualty(s).
HAND
4. Above all, stay calm. POSITION

GETTING HELP 3. BREATHING 6. UNCONSCIOUS 9. BURNS 12.

Lift the receiver and wait for a dialling tone. IS THE CASUALTY BREATHING? 1. Check for any obvious injuries. 1. Ensure the situation presents no hazard, if it does, contain or
Dial 000 in Australia. 2. Remove sharp objects from pockets. neutralise the hazard.
The Operator will ask you which service you require. Once you have stated Look for movement. Listen for breathing / lifesigns. Feel for airflow.
3. Place the nearest arm at a right angle 2. If dealing with a chemical burn wash the affected area with plenty
“Ambulance” you will be connected to ambulance control. The operator will If casualty is breathing normally of water, ensuring you do not wash the chemical onto unaffected
to the body.
ask you a set list of questions. 1. Turn him into the recovery position parts - seek medical aid.
4. Draw the furthest arm across the
BE PREPARED TO: 2. Check for continued breathing. chest and place the back of the hand 3. Non-chemical burns should be
across the cheek. immersed in cold water for a minimum
1. Confirm your telephone number. 3. Send someone for assistance or, if you are on your own, leave the of 10 minutes (any constricting items
casualty and go for assistance yourself. 5. Raise the furthest leg by grasping the such as watches should be removed).
2. Give an accurate description of the incident and back of the knee.
casualty(s) condition. If casualty is not breathing 4. Once cooled the burn should be
1. If you are on your own, leave the 6. Gently pull on the knee so that the covered with a sterile dressing (non-
3. Give your exact location. casualty pivots over onto your knees.
casualty at this stage and call for fluffy).
4. Assist the ambulance crew by arranging for a help. Return to the casualty and 7. Shuffle back on your knees until the
colleague to meet them outside your place of work. 5. Refer to medical aid.
open the airway. casualty is fully over and stable.
DO NOT Hang up at any stage of the conversation. The operator will 2. Seal the nostrils with your 8. Re-check the airway, breathing and DO NOT:
terminate the call when appropriate. thumb and forefinger. circulation.
3. Blow steadily until you see 9. Draw up the leg at a 90 degree angle.
• Apply tight ‘fluffy’ dressings.
CALL FOR HELP • Apply lotions, ointments or creams.
their chest rise. 10.Keep monitoring the ABC’s
If alone call for help. If someone responds to your call ask them to stay with • Remove damaged skin or burst blisters.
4. Remove your mouth to the side (The Airway, Breathing and
you whilst you assess the Airway and Breathing. One of you should wait with
the casualty whilst the other calls the emergency medical services (EMS).
and take in some ‘Fresh Air’. Circulation). • Apply butter, margarine or fats.
5. Repeat so that you have given 2 11.Treat any injuries found.
NB If no-one responds, Do not leave the casualty but go on to assess the effective rescue breaths in total.
airway and breathing.
DO THIS FOR 10 MINS

© SAFETY FIRST AID GROUP LTD 2005 The information contained in this poster is for guidance only and should not be used as a substitute for recognised training courses. SFAP129 Version 7