Have you ever dealt with a nose bleed?

What would you do if a colleague or a close person faints?

Have you ever helped a child choking on food or water?

Do you have any ambulance contacts in case of a medical emergency?

What is first aid?

First aid is emergency care given immediately to an injured person. The purpose of first aid is to minimize injury and possible future disability. In serious cases, first aid may be necessary to keep the victim alive until professional help arrives.

First aid can include cleaning minor cuts, scrapes, or scratches; treating a minor burn; applying bandages and dressings; the use of non-prescription medicine; draining blisters; removing debris from the eyes; massage; and drinking fluids to relieve heat stress

The task of the workplace first aider is to attend to the victim of an accident, or to help when someone suddenly falls ill.

Why First Aid

• To save life
• Maintain breathing
• Prevent heavy loss of blood
• Prevent any further injury
• Prevent shock

What does OSHA 2007 of the Kenyan law require for a workplace?

• There should be provided and maintained a first aid box or cupboard of the prescribed standard
• The first aid box should be readily accessible
• Every first aid box or cupboard shall be plainly and clearly marked on the outside with the words “FIRST AID”
• In every workplace where there are more than 100 employees, there shall be at least 3 persons trained in first aid; two of which shall always be available during working hours
• No person shall be placed in charge of the first aid box/cupboard unless adequately trained and holds a certificate of competence

What documentation is required?

Employers are usually required to maintain written records of all injuries and treatment given in a first aid treatment record book or log. These are usually reviewed by the OSH auditor and necessary recommendation made, copies of which are forwarded to the DOSH office.

What should all employees know about first aid?

Everybody at the workplace should know who the trained first aiders are and where they can be found.

Only employees trained in first aid should assist a victim. Never give first aid treatment for which you are not trained.

As part of their emergency preparedness training, employees should know how to respond during an injury or illness situation. In terms of first aid, employees should know:

• Procedures to be followed when first aid is required (including what types of injuries should be reported) (e.g. who to call for help, remain with the victim until first aid attendants arrive, etc.)
• Location of first aid room and/or first aid kit(s)
• Location of a list of first aid attendants which indicates where to find the attendant or a telephone number
• Location of a list of nearest medical facilities (name, address, operating hours and telephone numbers)
• Location of a list of the organization’s key personnel by name, title and telephone numbers that are prioritized by “call first, call second, etc.”

Who is authorized to provide First Aid training at the workplace?

1. The Kenya Red Cross Society
2. St Johns Ambulance
3. Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety Services or
4. Such other body approved by the Director of Occupational Health and Safety Services

First Aid is a basic life skill that at least everyone should have for the common injuries or illnesses. These include; faints, burns and scalds, cuts, chocking, nose bleed, heat stroke, scratch, heart attack, bee sting.

In addition to offering the first aid services every individual and workplace should have ambulance services numbers. These should be displayed in an area where everybody can access. At home they could be displayed in the kitchen (e.g. on the fridge door) alongside other emergency contacts. In the workplace; at the reception or next to the first aid box alongside other emergency numbers.

Which health emergency have you ever dealt with and how prepared were you?