If an emergency occurred on a construction site employees should know how to handle certain situations. Basic procedures are as follows:

TAKE COMMAND—Assign the following duties to specific personnel.

PROVIDE PROTECTION—Protect the accident scene from continuing or further hazards—for example: traffic, operating machinery, fire or live wires.

GIVE FIRST AID—Give first aid to the injured as soon as possible

CALL AN AMBULANCE—Call an ambulance and any other emergency services that are required

GUIDE THE AMBULANCE—Meet and direct the ambulance to the accident scene

GET THE NAME OF THE HOSPITAL—For a follow-up, find out where the injured person is being taken

ADVISE MANAGEMENT—Inform senior management. They can then contact relatives, notify authorities, and start procedures for reporting and investigating the accident

ISOLATE THE ACCIDENT SCENE—Barricade, rope off or post a guard at the scene to make sure that nothing is moved or changed until the authorities have completed their investigation

Although requirements vary with the size of the workforce, as a minimum there must be a first aid station with a fully stocked first aid kit, a St. John Ambulance first aid manual, and a worker available to give first aid. The worker must hold a valid first aid certificate.

Breathing

If the casualty is unconscious a check for breathing should be the first thing done. Listen at the mouth and nose. Watch and feel for chest movement. If the casualty is not breathing, start artificial respiration immediately. The most efficient method is mouth-to-mouth:

• open the airway

• lift chin

• remove any obvious foreign material

• pinch the nostrils closed

• take a breath

• make a tight seal at the mouth

• blow two breaths

• watch for chest movement

• if air is getting into the lungs, continue blowing at your normal breathing rate

• for an adult, blow 1 breath every 5 seconds

• for an infant or young child, make a tight seal over the mouth and nose and blow gentle puffs—1 breath every 3 seconds

Bleeding

Control eternal bleeding immediately.

• apply direct pressure to stop blood flow

• place casualty in comfortable position and elevate injured part

• let casualty rest to slow circulation

• apply direct pressure with hand over dressing

• do not remove blood-soaked dressing. Add another dressing and continue pressing

• when bleeding is controlled, secure bandage and maintain elevation

Hand Wounds

A deep wound across the palm of the hand usually results in severe bleeding

• cover the wound with a pad of gauze dressing

• have the casualty make a fist to put pressure on the wound

• bandage the clenched hand

• support the hand in an elevated position

For a wound along the length of the palm, cover with dressings, apply pressure, and bandage the hand with the fingers extended. Elevate and support the hand.

Burns

Immediately immerse the burned part in ice water or immediately apply ice or clean cloths soaked in cold water.

Cold will:

• reduce the temperature of the burned area and prevent further damage

• reduce swelling and blistering

• relieve pain

Medical Alert

Valuable information about the history of a casualty can often be found on a Medical Alert device—bracelet, necklace, or pocket card. This warning alerts first aid and medical personnel to the fact that the casualty has a medical condition requiring special treatment or is allergic to certain substances.

Severed Tissue

Completely or partially severed parts must be preserved, regardless of their condition, and taken to the medical facility with the casualty. Partially severed parts should be kept as near as possible to its normal position, covered with sterile gauze dressing, bandaged and supported, and kept cool with an ice bag or cold compress outside the bandage.

Completely severed parts should be wrapped in sterile gauze moistened with clean water, placed in a clean watertight plastic bag and sealed, and a record made of the time this was done. The part should be placed in another plastic bag or container partially filled with crushed ice and transported with the casualty to a medical facility.

Do not attempt to clean severed parts and do not use antiseptic solutions. If possible, notify medical facility that casualty is being transported with partially or completely severed parts.

Heat Exhaustion

A shock-like condition caused by exposure, especially in workers who are older or in poor physical condition.

• move out of the heat

• place at rest

• loosen tight clothing

• keep head low, raise legs and feet slightly

• for cramps, give a glass of slightly salted water (add 1/4 teaspoon salt). Give as much as the casualty will take

• watch breathing; get medical help

Heat Stroke

A far more serious condition than heat exhaustion is heat stroke, which may come on suddenly. This condition is life threatening and treatment must be started rapidly.

• sponge with cold water

• cover with wet sheets

• direct current of air around casualty by hand or electric fan

• obtain prompt medical aid

Embedded Object

Do not attempt to remove objects embedded in a wound. Pulling nails, splinters or glass from wound will cause more damage and bleeding.

• cover lightly with dressing without pressure on the object

• apply pressure around the wound and away from the embedded object. Get medical help as soon as possible

Eye Injuries

Do not attempt to remove particles on the pupil or stuck to the eyeball.

• remove loose particles with care using the moistened corner of a tissue

• if that fails, cover the eye lightly with a dressing to prevent movement and transport to a medical facility

• avoid rubbing the injured eye and causing further injury

Unconsciousness

Loss of consciousness may threaten life if the casualty is face-up and the tongue has dropped to the back of the throat, blocking the airway.

• make certain that the person is breathing before looking for the cause of unconsciousness

• if injuries permit, place the casualty in the recovery position with the neck extended

• never give anything by mouth to an unconscious casualty

Fractures

A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone.

• steady and support the injury. DO NOT MOVE THE VICTIM

• dress the wound and control any bleeding

• if casualty must be moved for safety, secure the limb with padded splints

• check for pulse. If none, get medical aid immediately

• reassure and keep warm to prevent shock until help arrives

Shock

Shock is caused by inadequate circulation to body tissues. It may be due to a loss of blood or other body fluids or to fright, pain, nerve injury, heart attack or chemical reaction. Some degree of shock accompanies every injury and illness. Shock can be fatal if not reversed. Shock may develop slowly or rapidly. Signs and symptoms become more severe as shock deepens:

• restlessness and anxiety

• pale or blue-gray skin, especially ear lobes, lips, nostrils, and fingernails

• cold, clammy skin and sweating

• weak, rapid pulse

• shallow, rapid breathing; gasping for air later

• thirst

• nausea and vomiting

• decreasing levels of consciousness leading to loss of consciousness

Get medical aid as quickly as possible. Until then, take the following steps:

• reassure the casualty by explaining what you are doing and why

• care for obvious causes of shock such as bleeding

• handle the casualty gently to avoid causing pain

• loosen clothing around neck, chest and waist

• keep casualty warm with clothing and blankets

• wire casualty’s face and moisten lips

• if injuries permit, raise casualty’s feet 6-12” to increase blood flow to brain and to slow the progress of shock

Health and Safety

Company Policy Statement, Roles and Responsibilities ● Injury Prevention ● Common Job-site Hazards, Housekeeping ● Emergency Procedures, First Aid Treatment ● WHMIS ● Assessing the Degree of Hazard, Working with Hazardous Gases ● Common Health Hazards in the Mechanical Trade, Workplace Specific Information ● Worker Statement, Sub-contractor Statement