PRIORITY OF CASUALTIES

•         Save the conscious casualties before the unconscious ones as they have a higher chance of recovery.

•         Save the young before the old.

•         Do not jeopardize your own life while rendering First Aid. In the event of immediate danger, get out of site immediately.

•         Remember: One of your aims is to preserve life, and not endanger your own in the process of rendering First Aid.

FIRST AID

First Aid is the initial assistance or treatment

given to a casualty for any injury or sudden

illness before the arrival of an ambulance,

doctor, or other qualified personnel

AIMS OF FIRST AID

•         Preserve life

•          Prevent the casualty’s condition from becoming   worse

•          Promote recovery

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n  Isolation - Separate the hazard from people, by marking the hazardous area, fitting screens or putting up safety barriers. (e.g. Welding screens can be used to isolate welding operations from other workers. Barriers and/or boundary lines can be used to separate areas where forklifts operate near pedestrians in the workplace.)

n  Safeguards - Safeguards can be added by modifying tools or equipment, or fitting guards to machinery. These must never be removed or disabled by workers using the equipment.

n  Instructing workers in the safest way to do something - This means developing and enforcing safe work procedures. Students on work experience must be given information and instruction and must follow agreed procedures to ensure their safety.

Using personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) - If risks remain after the options have been tried, it may be necessary to use equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, helmets and ear muffs. PPE can protect you from hazards associated with jobs such as handling chemicals or working in a noisy environment

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Key Point

It is your employer's responsibility to fix hazards. Sometimes you may be able to fix simple hazards yourself, as long as you don't put yourself or others at risk. For example, you can pick up things from the floor and put them away to eliminate a trip hazard.