Dealing With Workplace Medical Emergencies

Posted on 30th Mar, 2017 | By Lorretta Tatham

No matter your business or industry, effective application of first aid is a vital skill – not to mention a legal requirement. We can’t overestimate its importance enough here at Browns Safety, and we offer a variety of first aid courses to educate employers and professionals on this crucial information. This week on the blog, we’re taking a brief look at blood loss at work, and running through a quick overview of the best ways to respond.

Ensuring Safety In The Event Of Bleeding

In any situations involving bleeding – however minor – the first and foremost priority should be to stop the flow of blood. In the case of small cuts, the body is reasonably capable of healing itself pretty quickly. Clotting happens within a few minutes, so if the cut is indeed a small one it’s often simply a case of waiting until it does so. The cut should then be washed to prevent any chance of infection, with a plaster placed gently on top.

Deeper or longer cuts, however, often produce darker blood that’s slower and steadier. It can be stopped by the gentle application of pressure on the wound with a sterile or clean cloth, followed by a bandage. In these instances it’s often wise to get professional medical help, as these cuts can sometimes need sewing or gluing together to speed the healing process.

The Safest, Most Effective Approach For Stopping Nosebleeds

One of the most frequent blood loss incidents at work come in the form of nosebleeds. They occur when one of the blood vessels in the nose’s mucous membranes burst. When this happens, don’t bend the head backwards or lie down. This is a common misconception that actually leads to increased blood pressure in the head, and can therefore make the bleeding worse. Instead, ensure the sufferer pinches the nostrils shut with their index and middle finger for ten minutes, or as long as it takes for the bleeding to stop. Again, in these cases the human body is often quite capable of stopping the problem by itself; all it needs is a little time to get the job done.

Some people are more prone to nosebleeds than others, and they can happen for a variety of factors. This could be due to an existing medical condition, a recurring one, or even simply going through a stressful time. However, if the episodes are frequent, prolonged, or both, it’s once again wise to seek professional medical advice, as nosebleeds can sometimes be a symptom of larger or more serious issues.

Is Your Workplace Prepared To Handle Medical Emergencies?

At Browns Safety, we’re dedicated to ensuring timely and effective responses to workplace incidents, whether that involves you, your colleagues or your employees. Our range of first aid courses are aimed at educating professionals on the best techniques to respond in these circumstances. They cover not only blood loss, but also unconsciousness, shock, asthma and epilepsy attacks, as well as many other subjects besides.

The law requires employers to make provisions for the health and safety of their employees in the workplace. Armed with the knowledge that our safety courses can provide, your business can be well-equipped to handle a broad range of medical emergencies. Click here to book your place on one of our First Aid At Work courses today, or call us on 01282 615517. Your safety is our priority.

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