Training first aid

In Chapter 5 the author addresses medical treatment and first edd directions for labels. Appropriate and rapid first aid will often greatly reduce the severity of the results of accidental exposure. At its most basic, first aid is designed to prolong life until medical treatment is available. Every facility that handles hazardous chemicals must have a well trained first aid squad, with on-going training programs that will ensure skill and knowledge maintenance. 

General workplace safety and health (the first and second Framework Directives these cover evaluation of risks, choice of equipment and substances, competence , information and training, first aid, record keeping and a number of other related issues). 

EL policy premiums are based on declared payroll figures and cover all those included. Some necessary but voluntary work activities, such as fire fighting training, first-aid practices, etc., are undertaken outside working hours so are not included in the payroll and any injuries occurring are not covered. However, if the individuals concerned are paid a nominal honorarium, and this is included in the payroll return, they will have EL cover for those activities. 

If arrangements cannot be made to provide emergency medical sen/ices within a reasonable amount of time, then a trained first aid person must be available for each work shift. 

First Aid Supplies and Training First aid supplies available Adequate first aid supplies Access to trained first aid person First aid properly administered Emergency showers and eye wash fountains in place and working properly ... 

Have further injuries, or worsening of injuries, occurred because proper medical assistance (including trained first aid and CPR providers) was not readily available Have occupational illnesses possibly gone undetected because no one with occupational health specialty training reviewed employee symptoms as part of the medical program ... 

OSHA recently stated in another letter of interpretation that the primary requirement addressed by these first aid standards is that an employer must ensure prompt first aid treatment for injured employees, either by providing for the availability of a trained first aid provider at the jobsite, or by ensuring that emergency treatment sen/ices are within reasonable proximity of the worksite. The employer must ensure that .. . adequate first aid is available in the critical minutes between the occurrence of an injury and the availability of physician or hospital care for the injured employee. ... 

Confirm that a first aid faoiiity is provided, together with trained first aid staff. 

Assigns and trains first-aid providers who receive first aid training suitable to the specific workplace, and periodic refresher cormses on first aid skills and knowledge. 

Sudden injuries or illnesses, some of which may be life-threatening, occur at work. The OSHA First Aid standard (29 CFR 1910.151) requires trained first aid providers at all workplaces of any size if there is no infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees. ... 

If students are carefully trained in accurate work, accidents in the laboratory should be of very rare occurrence. Since, however, they can never be entirely eliminated, it is hoped that the First Aid directions given in the Appendix will prove of value, particularly to the junior staff of laboratories, who by virtue of their duties as demonstrators are frequently the first to be called upon to help injured students. 

Ingestion. Ingestion, unless prompt first aid or medical treatment is given, is rapidly fatal 1 mg of cyanide per kilogram of body weight can be fatal. Immediate and repeated adininistration of emetics and regurgitation (if the victim is conscious), followed or accompanied by the first aid and medical treatments described below should be carried out. If the victim is unconscious, stomach lavage should be performed by a physician or trained personnel. 

Notify a physician immediately. A suggested procedure for physicians or nurses is intravenous administration of 0.3 g (10 mL of a 3% solution) of sodium nitrite at the rate of 2.5 mL/min followed by 12.5 g (50 mL of a 25% solution) of sodium thiosulfate at the same rate. Watch the patient for 24 to 48 h, especially in cases of ingestion or skin absorption. If symptoms reappear, repeat the injections in half the original amounts. These solutions should be kept readily available. In some cases, first aid personnel have been trained to use the intravenous medication subject to government regulations. 

Laboratory work with hydrogen cyanide should be carried out only in a well-ventilated fume hood. Special safety equipment such as air masks, face masks, plastic aprons, and mbber gloves should be used. A chemical proof suit should be available for emergency. Where hydrogen cyanide is handled inside a building, suitable ventilation must be provided. The people involved should be thoroughly trained in first aid. 

The most important rule when working with hydrogen cyanide is never to work alone. This appHes especially to sampling and opening lines and equipment. A second person must be in view at all times about 9 to 10 m away, must be equipped to make a rescue, and must be trained in first aid for hydrogen cyanide exposure. 

During operation the plant is in the hands of the operating personnel. They should be properly trained and familiar with the inst lation. Very often, accidents are caused by an improper practice, such as making an attempt to repair when proper preparation is not made. Operators shoiild be trained in first-aid procedures and how to respond to emergencies. 

Train staff in appropriate first-aid measures ineluding how to seek immediate medieal assistanee. 

First aid (equipment, materials, trained personnel) and resuscitation... 

Provision for trained persons to be present/on call, e.g. rescue, first aid, firefighting... 

Encouragement/enforcement of use of personal protection Special training needs, e.g. first aid, emergency rescue/fire-fighting... 

Ensuring that the fire brigade, or otlier personnel trained in initial first aid/fire-fighting, are present. 

In Great Britain the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require an employer to provide sueh equipment and faeilities as are adequate and appropriate in the eireumstanees to enable first aid to be rendered to his employees if they are injured, or beeome ill, at work. An Approved Code of Praetiee gives more speeifie details on the number of first-aid personnel and their training, and the type of equipment. 

Bradycardia Bradycardia is a slow heart rate (60 beats per minute or slower) that does not meet the body s metabolic demands. Symptoms of bradycardia include dizziness, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, or fainting spells. This can be compared to tachycardia, which is an extremely rapid heart rate, usually signified by a pulse of over 100 beats per minute. Adults usually have a resting heart rate of 70-80 beats per minute, although well-trained athletes can have resting rates in the 50 s or 60 s. Newborn babies have a normal heart rate of 120-160 beats per minute. A slowed heart rate can lead to a variety of other problems. First aid treatment may include administration of oxygen. 

Train a team of site personnel in emergeney first aid. 

Provision of first-aid trained staff from within the building personnel ... 

All employees must be given health and safety induction training when they start work. This can be combined with other useful information (eg pay, leave, and hours of work). It needs to cover basic health and safety such as first aid and fire safety. 

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