Medical emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye, and being prepared for them could mean the difference between life and death. A medical emergency is described as a sudden, unforeseen circumstance that could affect a person through illness or injury. It’d be easier to manage these situations if a proper plan was implemented.
The most common medical emergencies in the workplace include:
- Scrapes, cuts, and abrasions
- Seizures or fainting
- Heart attacks
- Allergies
- Breathing problems like asthma
- Slips and falls
- Burns
Emergency preparedness should be a top priority for every office, and companies should implement this. With so many things that could go wrong, here are some guidelines on how an office can be prepared for these situations:
Designated health and safety personnel
During a stressful event, people tend to panic and need guidance from another person. The person in charge of the situation would usually respond calmly and provide the necessary knowledge to handle the situation.
Staff can be trained by doing professional health and safety courses to prepare them for various emergencies. The training would usually include manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED) like the ones found at https://avive.life/ and other websites.
The employees would be trained in numerous lifesaving techniques, including assessing the situation, the extent of the illness or injury, and procedures to follow to assist the person and the rest of the office.
Sending one team member from each department for the training would be ideal as not everyone will always be in the office simultaneously, and sometimes, more than one person is needed for assistance.
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Emergency broadcast system
These broadcast systems are valuable for many different emergencies. A text message or siren could quickly alert the employees and spur them into action.
Having the messages broadcast to all employees may seem redundant, but not everyone will be at their desks or can assist at the moment. Employees can notify the designated person or summon extra help if needed.
Some companies prefer a siren system instead of text messaging. Offices with people from various cultural backgrounds may not all speak the same language, but everyone would need to understand an emergency. The sirens can be used with different tones for various emergencies, including medical emergencies.
The emergency broadcast is a quick and efficient way of notifying all employees and could even be linked to emergency service for the area to respond when triggered.
Office emergency handbook
Compiling a handbook with basic emergency procedures and contact numbers would be extremely helpful.
It’s not easy to remember details when a crisis emerges and having simple, illustrated instructions could help the person respond appropriately and not react fearfully. Having anxiety during a stressful event is normal, but if there are solid guidelines to follow, it could help to reduce anxiety among team members.
This handbook should be discussed with all employees, and they need to be sure of how to use the equipment and perform the procedures. If further training is required, it’d be good to send the employees basic training on what to do in the office.
Including emergency contact numbers for outside services and the employees’ family members would ensure that the correct people are contacted. This is especially helpful when the ill or injured person is unconscious or can’t communicate properly.
A copy of the handbook should always be freely available for all team members, and storing a composition close to the office medical kits would make for quick access.
Emergency kits
Every office and area of the business should have a well-stocked emergency kit that everyone can use when an emergency arises. The medical kits could be ordered online or from local stores according to the size of the office. All the essential equipment needed for the common medical problems would be placed in this kit. For offices or work areas with increased risks that aren’t common in other businesses, areas require a more specialized kit.
Assess the work area to see the possible hazards and add extra items to the medical kit according to these hazards. Another item that offices should consider stocking with these medical kits is an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Although these devices aren’t always needed, they could be lifesaving when required. Offices should appoint one person, usually the designated health and safety team member, to regularly check that the devices are charged and fully functional.
These team members should also ensure that the medical kit remains fully stocked. Medical kits could come with their list of contents, or a list could be downloaded from the internet that should be used to check the kit. Items that are missing, not in good condition, or almost wholly used, like ointments, should be replaced immediately.
Recording and reporting
All medical and other emergencies should be recorded and reported. The correct and appropriate management members should be notified and the local authorities if needed. Observations about what happened leading up to the situation, during the event, and after could give management an idea of the pitfalls. These shortcomings in the plans can be adjusted and a new plan formulated.
Team members assisting the ill or injured should monitor the situation and make mental notes of everything happening. Emergency services personnel would need a detailed account of what happened and what was done to have a clear picture of the situation. Knowing all the details would give them an idea of internal or external problem areas to look for and administer the correct procedures.
Some countries and areas have specific laws regarding recording and reporting. Check with the local area where the office is based on what they expect to ensure that the book does everything.
Final thoughts
The sudden onset of an emergency could cause confusion and stress among team members in the office unless these situations are appropriately planned for. The first few minutes after the onset of the illness or the injury is critical to recovery. Having prepared office team members to assist could contribute to a speedy recovery.
Giving employees the correct tools to work with during emergencies would assist them with these life-changing events. Preparation is essential, and saving lives is the objective.
