Hand Safety

Injuries to hands and fingers are typically the most frequent injury we have. Most of the work we do is done with our hands. It stands to reason that they would be the most frequently injured body part.

Hand Safety What effects are there from losing fingers or a hand? Financial Lost work/wages Home life

Hand Safety Evaluation: A simple four step approach to eliminating, controlling, or minimizing potential hand hazards encountered in day-to-day activities.

Hand Safety  Step 1: Complete a general survey.  Is the work site safe?  Are there tripping hazards?  Are all moving parts properly guarded?

Hand Safety  Are there hidden hazards that need to be evaluated?  Have I identified the safe work zone?

Hand Safety Step 2: Complete a more specific survey. What task are you preparing for? What is your role in the task?

Hand Safety Step 3: Be familiar. All persons must be trained and competent in the work they do. If you are not trained or competent, the situation is unsafe.

Hand Safety Everyone has an obligation to stop work if it is unsafe. All personnel on the job site have the responsibility to work safe.

Hand Safety Step 4: Use the right tools. Use gloves when appropriate. Never use defective or damaged tools. Use a tool for its intended purpose. When utilizing a knife, always cut away from your body.

Hand Safety Other causes of hand injuries: Hand tools Sharps in trash Reject materials (metal shavings, broken glass etc.) Pinch points Handling of abrasive materials

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First Aid, CPR & AED

First Aid/CPR/AED As an employee, it is important to have a working knowledge of First Aid/CPR practices. It is also important that you understand how and when the use of these practices is needed and to what extent you can respond to an emergency situation. The best time to understand your role is before an emergency happens.

First Aid/CPR/AED The first response to an accident is the most important. Often, first aid given at the scene can improve the victim’s chances of survival and a good recovery. The right response is better than an incorrect quick one; however, any response is better than none at all.

First Aid/CPR/AED Universal Precautions Avoiding contact with patients’ bodily fluids by means of the wearing of nonporous article such as medical gloves, goggles, and face shields. Everyone should be considered a possible carrier of bloodborne pathogens.

First Aid/CPR/AED Universal Precautions First aid supplies are required to be readily available which will carry items to help protect you when responding.

First Aid/CPR/AED OSHA states that the employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of health. In the absence of a medical facility, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. (29 CFR )

First Aid/CPR/AED AED Automated External Defibrillators (AED) are sometimes the only way for a Sudden Cardiac Arrest victim to survive. To be effective the first shock should be delivered within the first 3-5 minutes.

First Aid/CPR/AED AED machines are self contained and provide step by step instructions to the user during an emergency. More detailed instruction is provided in hands-on First Aid/CPR courses.

First Aid/CPR/AED Responding It is important to understand that you should only respond to the level of training you have received. Report all incidents or exposure to your supervisor immediately. If the event is life threatening – Call 911 or your local emergency number.

First Aid/CPR/AED Unconscious Victim If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, perform rescue breathing. If the victim’s heart has stopped beating, perform CPR if you have been properly trained.

First Aid/CPR/AED Shock Shock usually accompanies severe injury or emotional upset. Signs are: Cold, clammy skin Pale face Chills Confusion Nausea/vomiting Shallow breathing

First Aid/CPR/AED Bleeding Until emergency help arrives, control the bleeding. Utilize latex gloves or plastic bags as a protective barrier.

First Aid/CPR/AED Bleeding If finger or hand pressure is not adequate, place a thick pad or clean cloth or bandage over the wound. As a last resort, a tourniquet can be applied to stop bleeding. Once in place, a tourniquet must be left for a physician to remove.

First Aid/CPR/AED Choking Choking occurs when food or a foreign object obstructs the throat and interferes with normal breathing.

First Aid/CPR/AED For adults and children over one year of age use the following approach: Ask “Are you choking? Shout for help – Call for help if the victim cannot cough, speak or breathe; if coughing is weak or making high-pitched noises.

First Aid/CPR/AED Choking Phone emergency staff for help. Send someone to call an ambulance. Do abdominal thrusts: wrapping your arms around the victim’s waist. Make a fist Place thumb side of fist in middle of abdomen Quick upward thrusts

First Aid/CPR/AED Basic CPR Use: HELPU Hazards – identify all the hazards. Environment – consider your surroundings. Look – be cautious in high traffic areas. Protect – against bloodborne pathogens – use universal precautions. Unknown hazards – consider the hazards you can’t see.

First Aid/CPR/AED Basic CPR Activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS). If you are alone, call EMS yourself before rendering aid.

First Aid/CPR/AED Perform an Initial Assessment: Open airway using head-tilt, chin-lift. Remove foreign materials. Look, listen and feel for breathing. Assess no longer than 10 seconds, if breathing is absent, perform CPR.

First Aid/CPR/AED Basic CPR If patient is not breathing, give 2 ventilations. Provide continuous cycles of 30 compressions and 2 ventilations until another provider or EMS takes over. Once the patient begins breathing, if they are not injured, place them in recovery position. Monitor breathing.

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