According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers report more than 2 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses annually. While few people ever expect to be involved in a critical incident in the workplace, there is a possibility you might be the closest – or only – employee on the scene when a co-worker has a medical emergency. Understanding and being prepared is not only helpful but could mean the difference between life and death.
Types of medical emergencies could include:
Allergic reactions
Burns
Cardiac arrest/heart attack
Choking
Cuts and continuous bleeding
Electrocution
Fainting and collapse
Falling from a height
Stroke
Seizure
General medical emergencies
When an incident occurs, it is vital to remain calm.
Call 911 or follow your workplace protocol for emergencies. Some locations may have an in-house medical team.
Do not leave the person alone unless you are in danger.
Do not move the injured employee unless he or she is in a life-threatening area. Moving the victim could cause serious damage, depending on the situation, condition or injury.
Do not move any body parts if you suspect they are broken.
Only provide first aid if you know how. Never attempt to do anything you are not trained to do or feel uncomfortable doing.
Allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction to an allergen. Symptoms can include:
Difficult or noisy breathing
Swelling of the tongue
Swelling or tightness in the throat
Wheezing or persistent cough
Abdominal pain or vomiting
If someone in the workplace has such a reaction:
Lay the person flat
If they carry an adrenaline injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®), give an injection into the outer mid-thigh
If they have an adrenaline injector and asthma reliever inhaler, use the injector first and then the inhaler
Call 911 or emergency services even if their symptoms begin to improve
If possible, remove the allergen that triggered the reaction
Begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) at any time if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally
Monitor their condition until help arrives
Burns
Workplace burns can happen from an open flame or another direct heat source, such as a stove, industrial machinery, hot liquids or steam. There are also electrical burns, from sparks or arcs and chemical burns, from corrosive or caustic materials, including cleansers and other solvents.
If a co-worker receives a burn or scald:
Put the injury under cold running water for approximately 20 minutes
Remove any clothing (unless it pulls on the damaged skin)
Loosely cover the burn with a clean, dry dressing or plastic wrap
Call for help or take the person to get medical assistance
Cardiac arrest/heart attack
Symptoms of a heart attack may include any or all of the following:
Chest pain, pressure or tightness, or a squeezing or aching sensation in the center of the chest
Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or occasionally upper abdomen
Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
Sweating
Panic constricts blood vessels, which is why it is vital to keep your co-worker calm.
Call 911 or the emergency number
Have the co-worker chew and swallow an aspirin while waiting for emergency help
Take nitroglycerin, if they carry them
Begin CPR if the person isn't breathing or you don't find a pulse
Many companies have automated external defibrillators (AED) and train staff in their use. If one is immediately available and the person is unconscious, follow the device instructions for using it.
Choking
When someone is suffering from severe choking, they are unable to shout, speak or cough. It is essential to help to clear the blockage with the Heimlich maneuver:
Wrap your arms around the person
Make a fist with one hand and clasp it with the other hand
Place your fists between the person's ribcage and belly button and thrust your hands into their abdomen until the object is freed
If necessary, call for medical assistance
Cuts and continuous bleeding
Depending on the size of the wound, it may be necessary to call 911 or an emergency number immediately.
Take steps to try to control the bleeding by applying direct pressure
Maintain pressure using pads and bandages
If the injury is to a limb, raise it above the level of the heart if possible
Stay with the co-worker until paramedics arrive
Electrocution
Do not touch someone who has received an electric shock unless the power supply has been cut off at the main source. If you cannot locate the source, use a non-conducting object, such as a wooden pole, to remove the person from the electrical source.
Immediately call 911 or emergency medical services.
Fainting and collapse
If you see a co-worker faint:
Position the person on their back
Loosen belts, collars or other tight clothing
If the person awakens, don't get the person up too fast. If the person doesn't regain consciousness within one minute, call 911 or the local emergency number.
If you find a co-worker who is unconscious but breathing, check for apparent injuries such as wounds. If there are none, ensure their airway remains clear and they continue breathing properly. Call for medical assistance and stay with the person until help arrives.
Falling from a height
If the co-worker is conscious and it is possible that they could have injured their neck or spine, do not move them. Keep them calm and as still as possible, discouraging them from rising or twisting. Call for medical assistance and stay with the co-worker until help arrives.
Stroke
The Stroke Association uses the acronyms F-A-S-T to recognize the symptoms of a stroke:
F, for face drooping: Is the face numb or drooping on one side? Ask the person to smile and see if one side of the mouth turns down.
A, for arm weakness . Ask the person to raise both arms: Does one drift down?
S, for speech difficulty. Is the speech hard to understand? Ask them to repeat, “The sky is blue.” Is there any difficulty doing that?
T, for time to call 9-1-1. If there are ANY of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Stay with the person until help arrives.
If they are unconscious, check their breathing and pulse and gently roll them on their side. If they do not have a pulse or are not breathing, start CPR immediately and wait for assistance.
Seizure
The most common cause of seizures is epilepsy, but these convulsions can also occur due to:
Abnormal levels of sodium or glucose
Brain infection or injury
Drug use
High fever
Heart disease
Heat illness
Poisoning
Toxin buildup
Very high blood pressure
Venomous bites and stings
It may be difficult to recognize if someone is having a seizure. Look for these symptoms:
Intense staring spell
Brief blackout followed by a period of confusion
Drooling or frothing at the mouth
Eye movements
Grunting and snorting
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Sudden falling
Teeth clenching
Uncontrollable muscle spasms with twitching and jerking limbs
Symptoms may stop after a few seconds or minutes but rarely continue for more than 15 minutes.
If your co-worker is having spasms:
Roll them onto their side and cushion their head
Clear the area of sharp or solid objects
Do not restrict the person from moving unless they are in danger
Do not put anything in the victim’s mouth
Call 911 or medical assistance
After the episode, keep the co-worker calm and still until help arrives
Do not offer the person water or food until they are fully alert
Discourage them from rising or walking
