In our last installment of The Basics we discussed what should be included in a basic first aid kit to be considered compliant with OSHA and ANSI guidelines. This week we’ll dive deeper and discuss what additional supplies and quantities should be included in special workplace first aid kits. A Legacy Medical Sales representative can help you create a custom kit based on your specific worksite needs.
So what would a special workplace be defined as?
Any worksite that would require additional or specialized supplies appropriate to their higher risk of injury or unique hazards. Construction sites, industrial sites, manufacturing and factory work places are a few examples of a workplace with unique hazards. Not only should you have the standard first aid that’s required on your worksite (see our last blog: https://legacymedicalsales.co/the-basics-first-aid-kits-101/), you should also pay attention to the dangers of the work environment and build your first aid kit around incidents that may happen.
What should I consider for construction and industrial workplaces?
Every construction site runs the risk of injury, so preparation is the best defense. A recent contractor survey found that nearly all participants (95 percent) had concerns about whether workers possess adequate skills for the job. Twenty percent of the country’s 2019 private industry fatalities occurred in the construction sector. These employee deaths (1,061) marked a 5 percent industry increase from the previous year and the largest total since 2007.
Five first-aid essentials for every job site:
- Adhesive Bandages
The most-used item when it comes to worksite injuries. Every first-aid kit should have more adhesive bandages than anything else. - Antibiotic Application
A top-used item, applicable to everything from paper cuts to burn treatment. - Antiseptic
A must for anyone treating an injury. This helps reduce the risk of infection. - Burn Treatment
New “burn packs” have supplies to treat large and small burns. If you work in a place where burns are possible, consider a full kit devoted to burns. - Medical Exam Gloves
The best guard against infection and bacteria. They should be worn by anyone treating any skin injury.
While these basic first aid items are useful, there are some industry-specific items and considerations as well. First of all, you should use a tough, heavy-duty case for the kit. Then, you need to ensure there are enough supplies for all your workers.
Extra tools for the kit can include:
- Sterile dressings
- Sterile eye pads and saline solution
- Triangular bandages
- Safety pins
- A special eyewash station
- Scissors
- Alcohol
- Medical tape and gauze
What should I consider for manufacturing or factory worksites?
In 2019, there were 421,400 nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the manufacturing industry. From rolling parts to sharp blades, working with machinery in a manufacturing facility opens employees up to the risk of injury, which can put them out of work and disrupt your operations. Machines can cause: crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, and blindness. Because manufacturing job sites have higher rates of injury, first-aid kits must be modified. These three items help treat serious injury.
- Splint
For setting broken bones before the professionals arrive. - Tourniquet
To slow or stop bleeding from a laceration, a danger when working with heavy machinery - 2- and 4-Inch Roller Bandages
For dressing deeper or larger skin injuries
To keep crews safe from harm while complying with OSHA and other industry standards, contractors and site supervisors should regularly review medical supplies for quality and completeness. To audit your first aid kit or cabinet, remember these steps:
- Keep an inventory of required items
- Remove & replace expired supplies
- Remove damaged or unsafe inventory
- Check & restock missing supplies
- Sanitize/organize a kit’s interior & exterior
What additional safety precautions should I take for special workplace first aid?
Your health and safety program should include written policies and helpful instructions for employees. When it’s time to move to a new construction site or workplace, safety teams should re-evaluate emergency response measures based on the new location, staff numbers and site-specific risks. Check out these 7 basic general industry safety rules from Safety Talk Ideas: (https://www.safetytalkideas.com/safetytalks/seven-basic-general-industry-safety-rules/)
1. Keep work areas clean
2. Use the proper tool for the job
3. Always wear the proper PPE for the work task
4. Never work on live equipment
5. Make sure chemicals are properly labeled and stored
6. Communicate hazards to other personnel
7. Stop work when needed to address hazards
It is important to always be prepared for the unexpected. With a Legacy Medical First Aid Kit, you can rest assured that your employees and yourself will be able to react appropriately in an emergency situation, even in a special workplace. Still not sure what supplies or how many to provide at your worksite? One way to develop a comprehensive first aid kit is to contact Legacy Medical Sales to help you customize a kit, a perfect fit for your specific needs. In addition to creating a tailor-made special worksite kit, Legacy Medical Sales can also keep you OSHA compliant by refilling your kit on a recurring basis. Likewise, shop our site to personalize your own first aid kit at: https://legacymedicalsales.com/product-category/wound-care/first-aid/