The Lifesaving Role of Timely First Aid in the Workplace

The Lifesaving Power of Timely First Aid in the Workplace

For many of us, workplace safety is something we often take for granted. We assume that existing safety measures are sufficient to protect us or believe that we would not be the unlucky ones to suffer an injury. However, when an incident occurs or a safety procedure is overlooked, a worker’s life can hang precariously between survival and tragedy. Even if the injured worker survives, he or she may face an uncertain and challenging future, often marked by disability, long-term medical expenses, psychological trauma, social isolation, unemployment, or in the case of foreign workers, repatriation back to their home country.

From the Workplace Safety and Health Report 2023, Singapore made great strides in workplace safety, achieving a record low fatality rate of 0.99 per 100,000 workers. Similarly, the major injury rate improved to 16.1 per 100,000 workers, down from 17.3 in the previous year. This improvement is a testament to the hard work of both employers and employees in prioritizing safety. 

However, you must remember that accidents continue to happen anywhere and anytime. Hazards are ever-present in high-risk environments like construction sites, factories, and shipyards. The use of heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and strenuous activities pose constant risks. Even in low-risk environments, injuries due to falls, burns, or accidents involving office equipment are possible. 

First Aid: The First Step to Saving Lives

In the Trauma Chain of Survival (NASEM, 2016), the first and often most important step in any accident scenario is basic first aid administered by a bystander. This initial intervention, when applied quickly and correctly, can stabilize an injured worker's condition, buy critical time, and prevent further complications before professional medical help arrives. 

The key lies in empowering ourselves and the workers with the knowledge and skills to act quickly and decisively. While larger worksites typically have designated first aiders, everyone should be trained as a workplace first responder. Administering CPR, treating wounds, and handling fractures or burns are just some examples. This ensures that in the critical moments following an accident, we can take meaningful and decisive actions. 

Why Timely First Aid is Essential

Timely first aid is crucial because many injuries can deteriorate rapidly without immediate care. For instance, you can control severe bleeding to prevent shock, apply immediate cooling under running water to minimize burns damage, or start CPR to a case of traumatic cardiac arrest to maintain oxygen flow to vital organs. 

In 2020, Kalkwarf and colleagues in Houston, USA, reported that 17% of trauma deaths were due to haemorrhage and that 45% of those deaths were preventable or potentially preventable with earlier resuscitation and haemorrhage control. In the trimodal distribution of trauma, the “Immediate” phase where 50% of deaths occur in the initial minutes after suffering the injury, could be prevented by injury prevention and prompt actions by the bystander.

Beyond physical injuries, you also play a key role in providing psychological comfort as the first responder. Traumatic injuries often cause significant distress to the casualty, and the presence of a calm, competent responder can alleviate anxiety and improve the overall chances of a positive outcome.

Creating a Prepared Workforce

To enhance workplace safety, it is vital that you are equipped to handle emergencies. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Accessible First Aid Kits: Ensure that first aid kits are easy to find and fully stocked. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) should also be available in high-risk areas.
2. Regular First Aid Training: Make first aid training mandatory for yourself and your colleagues. A mix of hands-on sessions and online courses can help everyone feel prepared.
3. Ongoing Resources: After training, it’s important to keep your knowledge updated. Create a resource platform with first aid tips and protocols that you and your colleagues can access anytime.

While Singapore’s achievements in reducing workplace injuries are commendable, we should all remain vigilant. The first step in the trauma chain of survival starts with you. By equipping yourself with the right knowledge and skills, you can protect lives and ensure that, in an emergency, you’re ready to act.

Remember, timely first aid isn’t just a procedural step—it’s a vital action that can save lives and reduce complications. By fostering a culture of safety, you can be prepared to step up when it counts the most.

This article was contributed by the Central Region Trauma Services (CRTS), supported by Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Additional Resources:

1. Civil Defence Emergency Handbook: 5372-scdf-emergency-handbook-(eng).pdf
2. Workplace Safety and Health Council Safety Guidelines: Resources (tal.sg)
3. Ministry of Manpower- First Aid Resource: First aid (mom.gov.sg)
4. Singapore Red Cross- Get Trained: Overview (redcross.sg)

References:

1. Kalkwarf KJ, Drake SA, Yang Y, et al. Bleeding to death in a big city: an analysis of all trauma deaths from haemorrhage in a metropolitan area over one year. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020:89(4):716-722.