Unit 1 First aid in the workplace

Safety Health and Welfare

at Work Act 2005
(General Applications) regulations 2007
(S.I No 299 of 2007)
 Unit 1 First aid in the workplace

DEFINITION = First Aid is the immediate

assistance or treatment given to someone
injured or suddenly taken ill, before the
arrival of an ambulance or appropriately
qualified person.
 The Aims of First Aid

• To Preserve life
• To Promote recovery
• To Prevent further injury

3
 Roles and Responsibilities
• Respond to the scene safely
• Remain safe during patient care
• Protect the casualty and bystanders from further danger
• Assess the scene and summon further help
• Identify and treat life threatening conditions
• Identify and treat non-life threatening conditions
• Seek and direct bystander help if necessary
• Control bystander activities
• Maintain skill level

5
 Unit 1 First aid in the workplace

Responsibility towards personal Safety

6
 Unit 1 First aid in the workplace

Responsibility towards patient and

bystanders

7
 Unit 1 First aid in the workplace

Scene Safety for rescuers

8
 Unit 1 First aid in the workplace

Assess the Scene for Safety

9
 Unit 2 Patient assessment
Methods of Transmission
Direct Contact
Touching wound

 Indirect Contact
Paper

 Airborne Infection
Cold
Flu
10
Unit 2 Patient assessment
Hand Washing

11
 PREVENTING CROSS INFECTION
• Always was your hands
• Wear disposable gloves
• Avoid touching wounds or inside of
dressings
• Discard soiled dressings safely

12
 First Aid and the Law
Patient Confidentiality
A patients information is confidential.
Confidential information includes
•Patient Circumstances
•Patient History
•Assessment Findings
•Care Given

This information should be shared only with persons involved

in the patients care
13
 Unit 1 First aid in the workplace

Duties of the employer

An employer shall—
Provide and maintain suitably marked and easily accessible first-aid equipment,
as is adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for enabling first-aid to be
given to persons at every place where working conditions require it, at a place
of work under the employer’s control,

Regulation 165 - Provisions for first-aid www.hsa.ie.

14
Recommended Contents of First-Aid Boxes and Kits
First-Aid First-Aid
Materials Travel Kit Contents Box Contents

1-10 11-25 persons 26-50

persons persons* 1
Adhesive Plasters
20 20 20 40
Sterile Eye Pads (No. 16) (bandage
attached)
2 2 2 4
Individually Wrapped Triangular
Bandages
2 2 6 6
Safety Pins
6 6 6 6
Individually Wrapped Sterile
Unmedicated Wound Dressings
1 2 2 4
Medium (No. 8) (10 x 8cms)

Individually Wrapped Sterile

Unmedicated Wound Dressings
1 2 6 8
Large (No. 9) (13 x 9cms)

Individually Wrapped Sterile

Unmedicated Wound Dressings
1 2 3 4
Extra Large (No. 3) (28 x 17.5 cms)

Individually Wrapped Disinfectant 10 10 20 40

Wipes
Paramedic Shears 1 1 1 1
Pairs of Examination Gloves 3 5 10 10
Sterile water where there is no clear 2x20 mls 1x500 mls 2x500mls 2x500mls
running water ** 2
Pocket Face Mask
1 1 1 1
Water Based Burns Dressing Small
(10 x 10 cms) *** 3
1 1 1 1
Water Based Burns Dressing Large
*** 3
1 1 1 1
Crepe Bandage (7cm)
1 1 2 3
15
 Unit 1 First aid in the workplace
The following minimum facilities and equipment should be provided in first-aid rooms

Minimum Requirements for first aid rooms

A couch with a waterproof surface, pillow and blankets and a chair
Sink with running hot and cold water always available, papers towels
Drinking water and disposable drinking vessels
A suitable store for first aid equipment and materials
Soap, a bowl or basin
Smooth topped working surfaces, and clean protective garments for use by first
aiders
Suitable refuse containers lined with a disposable plastic bag
A first aid treatment record book

The room’s entrance should be wide enough to accommodate an ambulance

trolley, stretcher, wheel chair or carrying chair .
16
Activation Of EMS
112/999

17
 TELEPHONING FOR HELP

EMERGENCY SERVICES - 999 OR 112

• Give your phone number
• Give exact location
• Type and seriousness of accident
• Number of casualties
• Condition of casualties
• Details of any hazards
• Don't hang up phone until you are told to
do so
18
 Stress
Definition of Stress
Stress is any outside force or event that has an
effect on our body or mind.
(Physical or Psychological)

19
 Stress

First Aid calls are stressful

Critical incident Stress .. a collection of symptoms

which develop in response to unusual or abnormal life
events

CFR Training Manual P.29

20
 Symptoms of Critical incident Stress

Recognise symptoms of
Critical incident Stress,
both in yourself and in
fellow First Aiders, and to
know the steps to take to
relieve it. 

21
Physical symptoms
Feeling hot and flushed, excessive sweating
Dry mouth, churning stomach
Diarrhoea and digestive problems
Frequent desire to use toilet
Muscle tension
Restlessness, tiredness, sleep difficulties, headaches
Increased drinking or smoking
Over-eating, loss of appetite
loss of interest in sex

CFR Training Manual P.29

22
Psychological symptoms
Feeling overwhelmed
Loss of motivation
Dreading going to work
Becoming withdrawn
Racing thoughts
Confusion
Self-neglect
Difficulty making decisions
Poor concentration
Poor memory
Anger
Anxiety
Depression
Racing heart, breathlessness and rapid breathing

CFR Training Manual P.29

23
 Post-Traumatic Stress Reactions
Single traumatic event or regular exposure to such events (as is found
in the emergency services) post traumatic stress may occur. All the
symptoms of stress may occur and in addition the following feelings
can be experienced
Anger
Sadness and Depression
Guilt
Fear
Avoidance
Intrusive thoughts
Hyperarousal
Numbing
If the symptoms do not diminish over time e.g. two weeks
it is important to seek support and help
CFR Training Manual P.30
24
 Stress Management

Professional
Counseling
Rest &
Relaxation Eat
Healthy

Consult your
If you
G.P or
Experience Occupational
Change Work Symptoms Health Nurse
Schedule Of excessive
stress

Stop
Smoking

Exercise
Regularly
Balance
Activities

25
 Summary
 What is First Aid and its Aims

 Roles and Responsibilities of an Occupation Fist Aider

 Safety – Personal, Patient, Bystanders, Rescuers
 Scene Safety
 Confidentiality
 Contents of First Aid Box
 Duties of the employer
 The Aims of First Aid
 Contents of a First Aid Box
 Activation of Emergency Services
 Emotional Reactions to Trauma
 Post traumatic stress

26