As a first-time employee, you probably have a lot of questions about what your new job will involve. One of the most common questions is about first aid. As a new employee, you probably don’t know much about first aid and other emergency protocols that businesses use to help their employees who might get hurt at work. If you’re not sure what the most effective methods are for handling different types of injuries, or how to apply them to your specific work environment, you might feel a bit overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources out there to help you learn more about first aid, what kind of hazards you could be exposed to as an employee, and how to respond appropriately when someone gets hurt. Here are some helpful resources to get you started on your first aid journey:
What is first aid?
First aid is a type of medical care for people who have recently been injured or are experiencing an illness or condition. This may include traumatic injuries, burns, drowning, or any other condition that requires immediate medical attention. It is meant to help people who are experiencing a sudden injury or medical emergency until they can receive further assistance from a more specialized medical professional like a physician or registered nurse.First aid is meant to be administered until emergency services arrive. It is not meant to be used as a long-term treatment method, but rather as a temporary solution until the person can receive proper medical care. As such, first aid kits are often kept in workplaces to provide employees with immediate assistance in case of an emergency.
Types of first aid
There are several different types of first aid that can be used in different situations. Some common examples include:- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): This is used to assist someone who is having a cardiac arrest. It usually involves applying chest compressions to the person while also using an automated device to help you achieve these chest compressions.- Open wound care: This type of first aid is used to treat a large open wound, such as a gunshot wound or a stabbing injury. It involves cleaning the wound and applying dressings to help prevent infection.- Eye care: This type of first aid is used to treat eye injuries and is different than emergency eye care. Eye injuries that require first aid can occur at work, and it is important to know the difference between the two.
Workplace hazards
When you’re new to a job, the hazards you may be exposed to will likely be different than the hazards you’ve experienced in the past. This is why it’s important to ask your supervisor about the hazards at your workplace, and what you should do if you come across one.It’s also important to note that you should be prepared to handle any type of hazard that may occur while working. This may include working near heavy machinery or in a high-risk environment, such as a construction site. If you’re not sure what hazards you might be exposed to, ask your manager or coworker to explain the most common hazards that occur at your workplace.
Tips for handling first aid situations
- Stay calm: If you’re in a stressful situation, your mental capacity will likely be limited. This is especially true if other people are involved. You may not be thinking as clearly as you usually do, or you might even start feeling nervous or anxious. Remember that your first aid response will not be a reaction, but rather a thoughtful response to the situation at hand.- Use the right tools: You may not have access to the same tools that a professional first aid provider has, but you should still use whatever you have to hand. For example, if you want to apply pressure to someone’s wound, but don’t have gauze or bandages, you can use your clothing as a makeshift dressing.- Communicate effectively: Make sure everyone around you, including yourself, knows what’s happening. If you’re in a situation where you’re communicating with someone else while also trying to treat them, you might accidentally forget to mention something. This can be especially important if you’re trying to save someone’s life, as they may not be able to communicate effectively themselves.
Final words
Although it may seem like a scary topic, first aid is something that every employee should know how to do. This can help ensure that if someone is injured at your workplace, they are taken care of and receive the help they need to prevent them from suffering any long-term or permanent damage. It can also help you feel more confident in your abilities as an employee, which could potentially help you secure a promotion.