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Essay about First Aid in the Workplace

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First Aid is extremely important in the work place. Sudden injuries or illnesses, some of which may be life-threatening, occur at work. It can be something that is often overlooked in the workplace because of its simplicity. First Aid can be as simple as treating a small scrape so it does not become infected to keeping a person alive by performing CPR. OSHA describes the definition of first aid as medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs. This attention is given at the location where the injury occurred. It often consists of a one-time, short-term treatment and requires little technology or training to administer. First aid can include cleaning minor cuts, scrapes, or scratches; treating a …show more content…

Next we will examine how to deal with different injuries; first we will look at small cuts and scrapes. Small cuts and scrapes usually don't demand a visit to the emergency room of your local hospital, but proper care is necessary to keep infections or other complications from occurring. When dealing with minor wounds, keep the following guidelines in mind:
1. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure using a gauze pad or clean cloth. If the bleeding persists after several minutes of applying pressure, get immediate medical attention.
2. Keep the wound clean by washing the area with mild soap and water and removing any dirt. Dry the area gently with a clean cloth, and cover the wound with a protective bandage. Change the bandage at least once a day. If the wound becomes tender to the touch and red or oozes fluid, see your doctor.
3. If your cut is more serious and the bleeding does not stop on its own or the cut is large, deep, or rough on the edges, try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure directly to the injury using a sterilized gauze pad or clean cloth. Maintain pressure on the wound until the bleeding stops. Then consult your physician. A tetanus booster may be required if you haven't had one for a while. Although these are the steps to deal with an injury with a small cut or scrap, dealing with severe bleeding is a completely different story. To stop serious bleeding, follow these steps:
1. Lay the affected person down. If possible, the

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