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Accidents in the workplace First aid cross

First Aid in Different Environments

Every different environment needs to have good first aid equipment and procedures in place, and not every setting presents the same dangers.

It is a legal requirement to carry out a risk assessment and act appropriately, so whether you need to protect your employees from dangerous outdoor hazards or provide critical treatment to members of the public injured on your premises, we have a wide range of first aid supplies suitable for every location. All of our first aid kits are up to date with the British Standard 8599-1 2019 revision, which reflects modern changes to workplace risks and practices. Stocking the new updated kits is a clear way for businesses to demonstrate they are serious about meeting their first aid health and safety obligations.

Crowded public area

PUBLIC AREAS

In crowded public areas accidents requiring first aid are likely to occur due to the high volumes of people that pass through them every day.

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Two women talking in an office environment

OFFICE SPACES

Office environments require first aid supplies even though they are usually low hazard areas. Precautionary equipment and first aiders need to be in place.

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Man on a construction site which is outside

OUTSIDE AREAS

Outdoor work is higher risk which means more advanced first aid equipment is needed. Construction sites and agricultural areas have far more hazards to workers and visitors.

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Children in uniform at a school

EDUCATIONAL & RECREATIONAL AREAS

Children are more likely to take risks so accidents are common. As such, schools and sport centres need planned first aid procedures.

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First Aid in Public Areas

Given the high number of people that can gather or pass through them, it’s not surprising that accidents requiring first aid treatment are common in public places.

The HSE recommends that any business which includes areas the public can access, should consider ensuring both workers and members of the public can be assisted properly in the event of an accident. Applying prompt first aid can greatly reduce the severity of injuries, although it is always advisable to contact the emergency services in the first instance. The ambulance service will aim to reach an accident within 8 minutes but this is not always possible, and therefore HSE guidance now recommends the provision of Tourniquets and other bleeding control items. The British Standard 8599 update for 2019 advises that appropriate numbers of Critical Injury Packs are put in place to deal with injuries to employees or the public which may result from mass casualty incidents such as acts of terrorism.

Some of the most common types of accidents in public spaces are slips, trips and falls, which can frequently occur in areas where people are in a hurry or where the weather may cause slippery surfaces. Injuries can range from minor issues such as grazes and bruising to more serious conditions such as broken bones. For these types of injuries it’s advisable to have a number of First Aid Kits in proportion to the amount of people that frequent the area. It can also be a good idea to have a designated space to treat members of the public (if safe to move them) while you wait for an ambulance to arrive. Our range of First Aid Room Equipment and our First Aid Stations & Storage can ensure you have everything you need close to hand.

It’s unfortunately also quite common that people can suffer heart attacks in public places and in such an event the speed of that first aid can be administered is critical in ensuring the recovery of the patient. Thankfully many businesses and communities are choosing to provide AED and Defibrillator Equipment in key areas and can make the difference between life and death in many instances.

Video on Seton's UK Bleeding Control Kits

First Aid in Office Spaces

Though an office environment is generally a safe place to work, accidents can still occur and it is important that you can adequately tend to injuries that your employees sustain in your premises. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, but employers have a legal duty to provide appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees are catered for should the worst happen. It’s also important to ensure that you have a suitable number of trained First Aiders and Appointed Persons in proportion to the number of staff in your building and that your supplies are kept well-stocked.

Areas of an office that can have an elevated risk of accidents include:

  • Kitchens and restroom areas
  • Car parks and entrances
  • Stairways and storage areas
  • Anywhere with electrical equipment

Once again, trips and falls are a major cause of injuries in office workplaces. The causes can vary from poorly placed desks and chairs, computer cables that have not been safely covered and even safety equipment that is stored in the wrong location. Ensuring that you have First Aid Kits or First Aid Stations within easy reach of appointed persons can help you offer immediate aid to those injured.

Burns are another often overlooked type of injury that can be sustained in an office environment. Whether a result of spilled hot drinks or due to faulty electrical equipment - every second counts in providing appropriate care to ensure minimal tissue damage and recovery time. As well as a range of Burn Relief products we also supply complete Burns Kits which provide rapid assistance in such situations.

The exterior of the office should not be forgotten either. Most offices can have busy car parks at the start and end of each day and accidents can unfortunately occur between vehicles and pedestrians. Not only are the obvious health and safety implications a concern, but even minor road accidents can cause significant trauma for those involved. As well as mitigating the risks with our Traffic & Car Park Management products you may wish to ensure you have first aid supplies that cater for more serious injuries, such as our range of Wound Care products.

For more information please see our comprehensive guide to first aid in the office.

First Aid in Outside Areas

It’s no surprise that outdoor work environments can pose some of the biggest risks to your employees. Whether it’s a construction site, an agricultural setting or a warehouse loading bay; working outdoors presents a new set of challenges and with it some hazards you wouldn’t find indoors.

Your first aid supplies should reflect these differences, especially if your employees are working with heavy equipment or dangerous machinery. In many cases outdoor workers can be alone for long periods of time and so maintaining proper checks and safety procedures is crucial to their wellbeing and ensures prompt treatment in the event of an accident.

Common hazards for outdoor workers are:

  • Extreme temperatures and adverse weather conditions
  • Tools and machinery such as those found in agriculture
  • High traffic areas such as car parks and construction sites
  • Falls, including those from a significant height

An important factor of outdoor work is being aware of the temperature and weather conditions that employees will be working in. Though you will no doubt ensure the correct Protective Clothing is supplied to your workers, sometimes nature can still cause accidents and ailments.

Whether it’s sunburn from warm summer weather or hypothermia caused by the cold and damp of winter, it is important that you have the correct First Aid Equipment such as Emergency Blankets or Burns Treatment to deal with the issues while seeking medical advice.

The machinery used in external environments is often complicated and dangerous to use for untrained persons. Even when proper safety measures are followed, things can and do go wrong and many such pieces of equipment can cause lacerations and injuries with significant bleeding. In such instances it is imperative that wounds can be treated as soon as possible while you call the ambulance. Products such as our Wound Dressings and Bandages can help to reduce blood loss and prevent further injury.

Construction sites can be particularly dangerous locations to work in and, despite the great lengths business go to in order to ensure worker safety, there is still the potential for serious and even life-threatening injuries. Falls from buildings and equipment are dangers that should never be overlooked and our Fall Protection Equipment can help to minimize those risks. Many of our Workplace First Aid Kits are especially suited for such environments and our First Aid Bags can help to ensure the supplies can be quickly transported to the location of the incident.

The new 2019 BS 8599-1 guidelines for first aid kits include advice on giving supplementary kits such as a personal issue first aid kit to relevant employees and first aiders. They also recommend staff working remotely from a company vehicle be equipped with a travel and motoring first aid kit. For more information on the revised BS 8599 standard please see our First Aid Kits Buying Guide.

First Aid in Educational & Recreational Environments

Accidents are common in environments where children gather, be it in schools, parks or sports centres. Even minor injuries can be particularly distressing for young children and this makes it important for the designated first aiders on the premises to be able to offer comfort and treatment quickly. Educational settings can also be a breeding ground for infections and so encouraging good hygiene practices should be a top priority.

Not only does having a solid first aid procedure in these types of settings mean that injuries can be treated, but it also promotes the feeling of safety and security that these establishments require.

Common accidents in such locations include:

  • Falls resulting in cuts, bruises, broken bones or head injuries
  • Injuries from common classroom tools and equipment
  • Sprains acquired during sporting activity
  • Chemical injuries and burns from science classes

We know that bumps and bruises are an everyday occurrence inside classrooms as well as on the playground and we are able to offer a range of School First Aid Kits specifically suited to educational environments of all ages. Our handy guide to choosing this equipment can help make your decision easier and ensure you find the solution that’s right for you.

For more serious injuries, such as those that can occur on school workshops and laboratories, we also can provide Emergency Eye Wash Equipment and Burns Treatment which allow your first aiders to take immediate action until the emergency service arrive. We also have a great range of First Aid Room Equipment that can help you to ensure that your buildings have a designated area for medical treatment.

Recreation centres and sports activities often come with their own unique set of hazards. Whether it’s a collision between two players or a fall that causes an unlucky sprain or pulled muscle, our Sports First Aid Kits allow for fast treatment to alleviate pain and prevent injuries from getting worse.