Did you know that workplace injuries are a significant concern in British Columbia? Every year, thousands of workers experience injuries ranging from minor cuts to severe falls. These incidents not only cause physical and emotional distress for employees but also result in substantial financial losses for businesses.
Here’s where first aid comes in. First aid is more than just bandages and antiseptic wipes. It’s a crucial skill that can significantly impact the outcome of an emergency. By taking a proactive approach and equipping yourself with first-aid knowledge, you can potentially save a life, minimize injury severity, and promote a safer work environment for yourself and your colleagues.
This blog will discuss how our OFA Level 2 training is ideal for delivering actionable first aid for the workplace and highlighting various injuries common to different workplaces. Let’s begin!
Common Injuries Across Different Workplaces
1. Offices, Schools, and Banks
Office environments can present a surprising array of injuries. Cuts and burns are frequent occurrences, from paper cuts to minor burns caused by spilled coffee or cleaning chemicals. Slips and falls are also a concern, with wet floors from cleaning, uneven surfaces caused by cables or cluttered walkways increasing the risk of sprains, strains, or even broken bones, particularly for older adults or those with pre-existing conditions.
Additionally, prolonged computer work or improper lifting techniques can lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) in the back, neck, or wrists, causing pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility. Eye strain from extended screen time can also lead to headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue. Finally, stress, dehydration, or underlying medical conditions can lead to fainting episodes, especially in hot or crowded environments.
2. Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare workers face a unique set of injury risks. Sharps injuries, from needlestick injuries with syringes and other sharp instruments, are a constant concern. Lifting patients or assisting with transfers can lead to back strains and other musculoskeletal injuries. The very nature of healthcare work also puts staff at risk of exposure to infectious diseases, such as influenza or bloodborne pathogens, through contact with patients or contaminated surfaces.
Slips and falls are another common occurrence, with spills, wet floors, and uneven surfaces posing a hazard for staff rushing to answer calls or care for patients. Finally, healthcare workers are not immune to violence in the workplace and can be subject to aggression from patients or agitated family members.
3. Construction Sites and Factory Warehouses
Construction sites and factory warehouses are rife with hazards. Cuts from tools and machinery are commonplace and falls from heights can be life-threatening. Heavy machinery accidents can result in crushed limbs, requiring immediate medical attention. Welding or electrical work can cause serious burns.
Inhaling dust from construction materials or chemical fumes in factories can irritate the lungs and lead to respiratory problems. Additionally, prolonged exposure to loud noises from machinery can cause hearing loss over time. Workers in these environments should be aware of these risks and take appropriate safety precautions to minimize their chances of getting injured.
8 Crucial First Aid Skills You’ll Learn in OFA Level 2
Luckily for residents of British Columbia, our experts at Metro Safety have introduced occupational first aid training courses in Levels 1, 2, and 3 to encourage proactive first aid for the workplace. The OFA Level 2, in particular, teaches eight crucial first-aid techniques, empowering you to take action and potentially save lives in the workplace.
1. Assessing an Emergency Scene
The first step in any emergency situation is to ensure your own safety and assess the scene. This involves checking for immediate dangers like falling objects, electrical hazards, or hazardous materials. Look for any potential threats to yourself and the injured person. Once the scene is safe, approach the casualty and gently check for responsiveness. If they are unresponsive, call emergency services immediately.
2. Controlling Bleeding
When faced with a bleeding wound, the first crucial step we’ll teach you is to apply direct pressure using clean cloths or gauze pads. Ideally, elevate the bleeding wound if possible to help slow blood flow. Maintain pressure continuously until medical help arrives. It’s important to be able to recognize signs of serious bleeding, such as profuse bleeding or spurting blood, as these situations require immediate emergency medical attention.
3. Managing Burns
Burns can cause significant pain and tissue damage. OFA Level 2 training equips you to differentiate between minor and severe burns. For minor burns (characterized by redness and pain), the key is to cool the affected area with cool running water for 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, cover the burn loosely with a sterile dressing to prevent further contamination. However, for severe burns (characterized by blistering, charring, or white/leathery skin), seeking immediate medical attention is critical.
4. Treating Sprains and Strains
Sprains occur when ligaments (fibrous tissues connecting bones) are stretched or torn, while strains involve tears in muscle fibers. The training teaches the application of the RICE principle (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for both sprains and strains. Resting the injured area allows for healing while applying ice for 15-20 minutes at a time helps reduce inflammation and pain. Compression with an elastic bandage minimizes swelling, and elevation helps to reduce blood flow to the injured area, further promoting healing.
5. Performing CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency where the heart stops functioning. Our OFA Level 2 training emphasizes the importance of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) in restarting a stopped heart and potentially saving a life. The training teaches proper chest compressions and rescue breaths, emphasizing hand placement and compression depth.
While formal training is crucial for mastering CPR techniques, OFA Level 2 equips you with the basic knowledge to initiate CPR until medical professionals arrive. Remember, early intervention with CPR can significantly increase the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest.
6. Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere. While CPR is a vital first step, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can significantly increase the chances of survival. The OFA Level 2 training familiarizes you with AEDs, portable devices that deliver an electric shock to restart a fibrillating heart. The training emphasizes the ease of use of AEDs, as they provide clear voice instructions guiding you through the process. No prior medical training is necessary to operate an AED. By following the device’s prompts, you can effectively assist someone experiencing cardiac arrest until emergency medical services arrive.
7. Choking Emergencies
Choking emergencies can be terrifying and require immediate intervention. That’s why ourOFA Level 2 training equips you to recognize the signs of choking, a life-threatening situation where a foreign object blocks the airway. While the Heimlich maneuver can be a lifesaving technique for choking adults, the training emphasizes the importance of seeking formal training to master the proper technique. This is because improper application of the Heimlich maneuver can cause further injury. However, the training stresses the importance of checking for responsiveness and calling emergency services immediately in any choking emergency.
8. Preventing Shock
Serious injuries or blood loss can trigger a state of shock, a potentially life-threatening condition where the body struggles to circulate blood effectively. TheOFA Level 2 training helps you identify the signs of shock, which include pale, cool, and sweaty skin, rapid breathing, and weakness. The training emphasizes keeping the person warm and comfortable while awaiting medical attention. If possible, position the casualty flat on their back with legs slightly elevated to improve blood flow. By recognizing the signs of shock and taking these steps, you can potentially prevent complications and improve the outcome for the injured person.
Join Metro Safety’s Community for Occupational First Aid for the Workplace!
As the leading training center across British Columbia, Metro Safety offers comprehensive first aid training courses designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and expertise needed to handle workplace emergencies effectively. We specialize in delivering occupational first aid trainings as well as trainings on fall protection, inspection and confined space safety, and offer several resources to support your learnings on our platforms.
Our standard and emergency first aid courses are vetted and recognized by the Canadian Red Cross, which means that you can trust us to teach you the essentials you’ll need to participate and encourage a safe working culture, no matter what kind of working environment you find yourself in.
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