Workplace injuries can happen anytime. It could range from something as simple as a paper cut to something as grave as open wounds that would need an immediate trip to the hospital. Fortunately, a good knowledge of the basics of first aid can help you deal with such a situation.
What Is a First Aid Injury?
The first thing that you need to keep in mind is that not all injuries in the workplace can be considered first aid injuries. In some cases, an injury might require immediate medical attention. For an injury or a situation to be considered a first aid injury, it should be something that can easily be addressed by hot or cold compress or application of gauze and Band-Aid. It should be managed using a combination of off-the-shelf medication.
Cuts, Scrapes, and Burns
The most common types of first aid injuries would include cuts, scrapes, and burns. In most cases, these injuries happen when people disregard any danger sign or caution labels in their workplace. In Singapore, for example, the majority of their first aid injuries come about because they have disregarded caution signs for slippery walkways.
When dealing with this type of injury, the first thing that you must do is to make sure that you wash the wounds with clean water and soap. If there is bleeding, press down the gauze until the bleeding stops. You might also need to apply an antibiotic ointment to ensure that the wound does not get infected. Change the dressing every now and then while making sure that the wound is cleaned each time.
On the other hand, if you are dealing with a burn, apply a burn ointment after you have cleaned the affected area. Do not use lukewarm water when cleaning the burn. Instead, place it under cold running water. This will help manage the pain. If the burn is caused by a chemical, get the person to the hospital immediately. The same is true if the burn covers more than a quarter of the body.
Splinters
If your job requires working with wood regularly, you will most likely have to deal with splinters. In most cases, splinters are an open-and-shut case. If you have a pair of tweezers, you can easily pull them out of your skin. Of course, you need to make sure that you clean first the affected area and disinfect the tweezers that you will use. If the splinter is very small and hard to remove, wash the affected area with warm water and allow it to rest. In a day or two, you will notice that the splinter has come out on its own.
Fractures
Yes, people do not usually pay attention when there is a sign saying that the floor is slippery. What’s challenging about slips and falls is that they can cause fractures. And fractures can be quite tricky to deal with. The secret to it, however, is to keep the patient immobilized. The fractured part should also be kept stable. You can use splints and bandages to make sure that it does not move. Once the fracture has been set and stabilized, you will need to get the person to the nearest hospital.
