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First aid knowledge and decisive action can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. If someone requires emergency medical attention at work, co-workers in the immediate vicinity should call 999 and, if trained, apply first aid while waiting for the paramedics. Although this advice is not meant to substitute formal first aid training, even a basic knowledge of first aid could help save someone’s life.

When encountering an emergency in the workplace, do the following:

1. Assess the situation without putting yourself in danger.

2. Make the area safe.

3. Determine the severity of any injuries, attending to unconscious victims first.

4. Designate a specific person to send for help.

When checking for a response from a possibly unconscious victim, perform these steps:

1. Lightly shake the victim’s shoulders, asking loudly ‘Are you all right?’.

2. If you receive no response, open the victim’s airway by tilting the head back.

3. Check for normal breathing by listening closely to the victim’s nose and mouth and looking for the rise and fall of the chest.

4. Take appropriate action, but only perform rescue breathing or CPR if you are certified.

For more specific emergencies, consider the following:

Severe bleeding. Apply direct pressure to the wound. Raise and support the injury (unless the bone is broken) while wrapping a tight dressing firmly in place.

Broken bones and spinal injuries. Do not move victims with a suspected spinal injury unless they are in immediate danger.

Burns. Cool the burn with cold water until pain subsides. If you suspect the burn is serious, seek medical help. In the event of a chemical burn, remove all tainted clothing.

Eye injuries. Wash out the eye with water or sterile solution to remove a foreign object. Do not attempt to remove anything embedded in the eye.

Always write down any necessary first aid or emergency response actions you took for employer records.

If someone requires emergency medical attention at work, co-workers in the immediate vicinity are responsible for calling 999. Be prepared to act decisively and help save a life.

November 2013 Workplace First Aid BasicsTips for applying basic first aid in the workplace

Workplace First Aid Basics

The High Personal Cost of AccidentsThe cost—not just financial—of workplace accidents

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Contains public sector information published by the HSE and licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0.

Design © 2013 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as compliance or legal advice. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. Further, the law may have changed since first publication and the reader is cautioned accordingly.

The High Personal Costs of Accidents

Preventable accidents account for the majority of accidents in the workplace. Regular safety meetings serve as reminders for how you can do your job as safely as possible. These meetings are for your benefit—just think about the potential costs of workplace accidents. In addition to the financial burden of missing work due to a preventable accident, the personal and emotional strain can be high. The following outlines some personal costs of being unable to work due to a workplace accident:

Financial loss from lost or reduced pay is the most obvious (and most complained-about) result of a workplace accident that prevents you from returning to work. If you are the sole income producer in your household, the pressure on your finances may cause considerable stress.

Pain and suffering add to your financial stress. Not only will you be worried about how to pay household bills, you will be suffering from constant, potentially severe pain. Depending on the nature of the accident, it is possible to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, characterised by uncontrollable flashbacks to the traumatic event and increased anxiety.

Disability from a workplace accident is life-changing—suddenly your permanent or temporary injury dictates what you can do.

Death is the scariest result of a workplace accident. One mistake or lapse in judgement at work could lead to a life-altering change for your family. Stay vigilant and obey all safety rules.

Although some of these costs are extreme, they are all possible outcomes of a workplace accident. Because most accidents are preventable, we all have the capacity to eliminate them and prevent these high personal costs.

This means that co-worker safety should be top of mind for everyone. Because we spend so much time at work, co-workers become like a second family. Give them the respect they deserve by watching out for their safety while watching out for yourself.

At , your safety is our top priority. Help keep yourself and your co-workers safe by remaining vigilant.

First aid is not always about dramatic situations where time is running out and a heroic bystander swoops in to save the day. People can still make a significant difference to someone who is injured or ill by acting calmly and decisively, even if the situation or setting is routine.

A London man was able to do just that when, on his way to the lavatory, he noticed a younger female co-worker falling onto the floor of the office kitchen. He realised she was having a seizure because her eyes rolled back and she appeared to be convulsing.

Having recently completed a first aid course, the man knew to act calmly and quickly. He shouted for help, removed all objects around his co-worker and put his coat under head to prevent injury. Because the man acted quickly, his co-worker was able to recover from her seizure more quickly than if she had gotten injured.

Without performing CPR or diagnosing anything, the man was still a hero, proving the importance of quick thinking and staying safety-conscious.

Real-life Examples