Document owner and change code Document Owner Aaron Perronne Title HSSE Manager Mark X Change Code Description X N/A First Issue A Typographical/Grammatical correction; formatting change; text clarification-no action required B Change requiring minor adjustment to process and/or records; users to be informed-no retraining required C Major change to the process and/or records; retraining of involved personnel to be conducted Table of Contents Document Owner and Change Code...1 1. Objective..2 2. General Requirements..2 3. First Aid...3 Page 1 of 6
1 OBJECTIVE This written policy provides guidance on who shall provide initial first aid/cpr to individuals on the work site or within the corporate facility. This policy shall also meet the intent of the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.50. Mechanical Systems, Inc. is dedicated to the protection of its employees on the job. If an accident occurs causing injury or illness, or if an employee needs medical assistance due to a medical condition, it shall be the Foreman s or senior staff s duty to ensure prompt care is provided. In the absence of medical assistance within 3-4 minutes of the worksite, the Foreman shall ensure that a person is available on the work site that has a valid American Red Cross or equivalent First Aid certificate and can render first aid. 2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS As a temporary services employer, Mechanical Systems, Inc. does not routinely provide first aid/cpr training for our temporary employees due to the transient nature of our business. In such cases, the availability of onsite first aid services is to be verified prior to the start of the project. In the event that the client site is unable to provide qualified first aid responders, we will ensure our personnel are trained before placement at the work site. Training in bloodborne pathogens will also be provided to any personnel designated as first aid responders. As a minimum, each job site shall have a properly equipped and easily accessible first aid kit. First aid kits shall consist of appropriate items which will be adequate for the environment in which they are used. The Foreman will inventory the first aid supplies using the attached ANSI checklist. The contents of the first aid kits shall be checked before being sent out to each job and at least weekly on each job to ensure that the expended items are replaced. First Aid Kits shall consist of items approved by a physician and shall be stored in a weatherproof container with individual sealed packages of each type of item. There shall always be fresh water on-site, which can be used for flushing the eyes or body of an employee to minimize chemical contamination or a foreign body in the eye. The Foreman shall ensure that fresh water is on-site daily. For a known or suspected first aid or medical emergency, the staff shall contact local emergency services by telephone. Emergency telephone numbers of physicians, hospitals, and ambulances shall be posted on site in a conspicuous location. If necessary, the injured employee will be transported by ambulance to the hospital. After professional medical care has been provided and the safety of the crew remaining on-site addressed, the Foreman or senior staff member shall contact the Program Administrator for follow-up action and notification of the family and regulatory agencies, as appropriate. Page 2 of 6
3 FIRST AID First-aid knowledge is valuable on and off the job. It starts with four essentials: 1) Seconds can count in an emergency. Call immediately for medical assistance if there s an injury or illness. 2) Bring help to the victim. Don't move the person unless absolutely necessary. 3) Know where first-aid kits are kept. 4) If you're not sure what to do, don't do anything wait for medical assistance. The wrong treatment or movement can be dangerous. There are actions workers can take while waiting for medical assistance to keep victims comfortable and prevent a serious incident from getting worse even fatal. The following information was obtained from the American Red Cross. This overview will help workers in an emergency situation, but it should not be taken as a substitute for a first aid or CPR class. Breathing A person who stops breathing can die in four to six minutes, so there may not be time to wait for the pros. If there's no possibility of a back or neck injury, shake the victim and shout to find out if the person is conscious. If there's no response, check for breathing by looking at chest movement and putting an ear to the victim's mouth and nose. If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, send someone to call 911 and begin the care steps found under CPR. Bleeding Heavy bleeding can be life-threatening, so while waiting for help: Shock With gloved hands, place a cloth or gauze over the wound and apply direct pressure to stop bleeding. For severe bleeding, call 911. Wrap a bandage over the gauze. Continue applying bandages and pressure until help arrives. A tourniquet is a last resort use only if bleeding won't stop and the victim is dying. Serious injury or illness can send a person into shock which can be fatal. It's vital to get help and, while waiting: Page 3 of 6
Have the person lie down and cover them with a blanket, overcoat, or whatever is available. Check regularly for breathing. Don't provide anything to eat or drink. Anaphylactic shock is a severe potentially deadly allergic reaction to certain foods or an insect bite or sting. Symptoms include hives, weakness, and a swollen throat that could cause choking. This is a real emergency, requiring immediate professional help. Broken Bones Moving someone with a neck or back injury could cause paralysis or even death. When bones are or may be broken, keep the victim calm and still until help arrives. If a limb is amputated, place it in a plastic bag inside a bag of ice and rush it to the hospital with the victim. Heart Attack & CPR Heart attacks can strike at any age, so everyone should know the symptoms: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Anxiety Ashen skin Perspiration or vomiting Crushing pain in the chest, under the breastbone, or down the left arm. Call 911. Help a heart attack victim sit or lie down. Loosen tight clothing at the waist and neck and provide oxygen. Don't allow the victim to move around or take any stimulants. Ask if the person has heart medication and get it if requested. If the person loses consciousness, check the ABCs (airway, breathing and circulation). If there are no signs of life and you are trained in CPR, begin cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths. Stroke A stroke is always very serious, and requires fast medical attention. A stroke victim may be unconscious or breathing heavily. Common symptoms include an inability to speak and apparent weakness in the face or limbs on one side of the body. This is another condition that requires medical aid. The victim should be covered with a light blanket. Don't provide any stimulants, food, or drink. Page 4 of 6
Choking Ask the person: "Are you choking?" If he or she indicates yes, follow this procedure for an adult who is choking and can't speak, cough or breath: Stand behind the victim, lean the person forward, place your hand in between his or her shoulder blades and give 5 back blows. Next, place your fist, thumb-side in, against the victim's stomach just above the navel. Grab your fist with your other hand. Pull in and up sharply 5 times. Continue 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or help arrives. If that doesn't work and the victim is unconscious, you can either: Use your index and middle fingers to grasp the object causing the choking and remove it from the throat. Place the person on his back and give 30 chest compressions, check the mouth and sweep if you see an object, then try 2 breaths. Continue this cycle until the object is dislodged. First Aid Treatment for Chemical Burns A chemical burn can be minor or life threatening, but proper treatment can reduce the chance of infection and the damage caused by contact with the chemical. The following information was obtained from the American Red Cross. Remove any affected clothing or jewelry from the injury. Use lots of cool running water to flush the chemical from the skin until emergency help arrives. The running water will dilute the chemical fast enough to prevent the injury from getting worse. Use the same treatment for eye burns and removes any contact lenses. Be careful to flush the eye from the nose outward. If no large amount of clean water is available, gently brush the chemical off the skin and away from the victim and you. If the chemical is on the face, necks, or shoulders, ask the victim to close his or her eyes before brushing off the chemical. Cover the wound very loosely with a dry, sterile or clean cloth so that the cloth will not stick to the wound. Do not put any medication on the wound. Seek medical attention immediately. If you believe you have been contaminated with a chemical, call the Poison Control Center or 911. If medical help is not immediately available, remove your clothing starting from the top and working your way down to your socks. Take care not to touch your contaminated clothing to Page 5 of 6
your bare skin. Place your clothing in a plastic bag so it cannot contaminate other people or things. Take a thorough shower to wash any chemical away. Re-dress in clean clothing and go for medical help at your first opportunity. Page 6 of 6