First Aid and Emergency Response

Employers are responsible for providing workers with prompt, easily accessible, and appropriate first aid treatment on the worksite. However, everyone on the worksite should know some basic first aid and what to do in case of an emergency.

Everyone should be able to assist until emergency personnel can get to the scene and be able to tend to minor injuries. First aid attendants must have valid first aid certificates for the worksite.

What You Should Know in Case of Injury

Your employer must train you so that you know:

• The worksite’s first aid policy and emergency procedures, and where to find these documents.
• The warning and alert systems that are in place, such as air horns, bells, sirens, announcements, etc. These may vary from worksite to worksite.
• Where first aid kits and supplies are located in your work area.
• The actions you should take if you encounter an injured person or if you are injured.
• The steps to take when an emergency occurs, such as using a radio, phone, voice, etc.
• Who to contact in case of injuries, including both the primary and secondary contacts. If you can’t reach the primary contact, you’ll need to reach the secondary contact.
• What information to provide when you call for help so that assistance can arrive as soon as possible.

How to Prepare for Emergencies

Your employer must train you so that you know:

• The hazards on your worksite.
• Where the emergency response procedures are located at your worksite.
• What could go wrong on the worksite and what your response should be.

If you come across a hazard that could endanger you or others, report it to a supervisor and ask how to proceed. If you have any questions, ask a supervisor or on-site safety representative. They can help clarify detailed procedures.

Three Basic Steps in a Medical Emergency

1. Quickly assess the accident scene to make sure there are no hazards that could harm you or others.
2. If you are the first on the scene, talk with or assess the injured person to get basic medical information to pass on to first aid attendants.
3. If you are first on the scene or if asked, call 911 or the local emergency services. Provide them with information such as your location, phone number and name, what happened, and the number of injured persons. Make sure to report back to the first aid attendants and provide any assistance needed.

References

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) Part 3, Sections 3.14–3.21 and OHSR Part 4, Sections 4.13–4.18

email: [email protected]
phone: 604-336-4699