First Aid for Construction Emergencies

General Emergency Response

Assess the Scene

• Ensure your own safety before helping others
• Identify potential hazards (electrical, chemical, falling objects)
• Determine what happened
• Count the number of victims
• Call for additional help if needed

Call for Help

• Dial 911 (or site emergency number) for serious injuries
• Clearly state:
  • Location (address, floor, area)
  • Type of emergency
  • Number of victims
  • Your name and callback number
• Send someone to direct emergency responders to the location
• Stay on the line until dispatcher says to hang up

Primary Assessment

• Check responsiveness (tap and shout)
• Open airway (head-tilt, chin-lift)
• Check breathing (look, listen, feel)
• Check circulation (pulse, severe bleeding)
• Treat life-threatening conditions first

Bleeding Control

Minor Cuts and Abrasions

• Wash hands before treating
• Clean wound with soap and water
• Apply antiseptic if available
• Cover with sterile bandage
• Change bandage if it becomes wet or dirty

Severe Bleeding

• Apply direct pressure with clean cloth or bandage
• Elevate injured area above heart level if possible
• Add more bandages if blood soaks through (don't remove original)
• Use pressure points if direct pressure isn't enough
• Apply tourniquet only as last resort for life-threatening limb bleeding

Tourniquets

• Apply 2-3 inches above wound (not on a joint)
• Tighten until bleeding stops
• Note time of application
• Never loosen once applied
• Mark victim with "TQ" and time
• Only use for life-threatening extremity bleeding

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Sprains and Strains

• Rest the injured area
• Apply ice for 20 minutes (not directly on skin)
• Compress with elastic bandage
• Elevate above heart level if possible
• Refer to medical care if pain persists

Suspected Fractures

• Don't move victim unless absolutely necessary
• Stabilize injury in position found
• Apply cold packs to reduce swelling
• Check circulation beyond injury
• Watch for signs of shock
• Seek immediate medical attention

Dislocations

• Don't attempt to relocate joint
• Immobilize in position found
• Apply cold packs to reduce swelling
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Monitor for shock symptoms

Eye Injuries

Foreign Object

• Don't let victim rub the eye
• Flush with clean water for small particles
• If embedded, don't remove - stabilize and seek medical care
• Cover both eyes to prevent movement
• Seek medical attention

Chemical Splash

• Flush immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes
• Hold eyelids open during flushing
• Remove contact lenses if present
• Continue flushing during transport to medical care
• Provide SDS to medical personnel

Blunt Trauma

• Apply cold compress without pressure
• Keep victim from rubbing eye
• Have victim rest with head elevated
• Cover both eyes to prevent movement
• Seek immediate medical attention

Burns

First-Degree Burns (Reddened Skin)

• Cool with cold water for 10-15 minutes
• Don't use ice
• Apply aloe vera or moisturizer
• Cover with loose, sterile bandage
• Take over-the-counter pain reliever if needed

Second-Degree Burns (Blisters)

• Cool with cold water for 15 minutes
• Don't break blisters
• Apply antibiotic ointment
• Cover with non-stick bandage
• Seek medical attention for large burns

Third-Degree Burns (Charred/White)

• Call 911 immediately
• Don't remove stuck clothing
• Cover with clean, dry bandage
• Elevate burned areas above heart
• Monitor for shock
• Don't apply ointments

Electrical Burns

• Ensure power source is off before touching victim
• Check for entry and exit wounds
• Treat visible burns as described above
• Always seek medical attention (internal damage may not be visible)
• Monitor breathing and pulse

Heat-Related Emergencies

Heat Exhaustion

• Move to cool, shaded area
• Remove excess clothing
• Apply cool, wet cloths
• Fan the victim
• Give water if fully conscious
• Seek medical attention if not improving

Heat Stroke (Medical Emergency)

• Call 911 immediately
• Move to cool area
• Remove outer clothing
• Cool rapidly with water and fanning
• Place ice packs at neck, armpits, groin
• Monitor vital signs
• Give nothing by mouth

Cold-Related Emergencies

Frostbite

• Move to warm area
• Remove wet clothing
• Warm area gradually with body heat or warm water (101-104°F)
• Don't rub the affected area
• Don't use direct heat (heater, fire)
• Seek medical attention

Hypothermia

• Call 911 for severe cases
• Move to warm area
• Remove wet clothing
• Warm torso first with dry blankets
• Give warm, sweet drinks if conscious
• Monitor breathing and pulse
• Handle victim gently

Chemical Exposures

Skin Contact

• Remove contaminated clothing
• Flush with water for at least 20 minutes
• Don't apply neutralizing agents
• Cover with clean bandage
• Seek medical attention
• Bring SDS to medical facility

Inhalation

• Move victim to fresh air
• Loosen tight clothing
• Monitor breathing
• Administer oxygen if available and trained
• Perform rescue breathing if needed and trained
• Seek medical attention

Ingestion

• Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
• Don't induce vomiting unless directed
• Save container or label for identification
• If victim vomits, keep head below hips to prevent aspiration
• Seek immediate medical attention

Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries

Signs and Symptoms

• Pain or tenderness in back or neck
• Cuts or bruises on head or face
• Loss of consciousness
• Unequal pupil size
• Confusion or disorientation
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Loss of movement or coordination

Emergency Response

• Call 911 immediately
• Minimize movement of head and spine
• Stabilize head in position found
• Maintain open airway
• Monitor breathing and consciousness
• Don't attempt to move unless absolutely necessary
• If movement is necessary, maintain alignment of head and spine

Shock Management

Signs of Shock

• Pale, cool, clammy skin
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Thirst
• Confusion or anxiety
• Decreased consciousness

Treatment

• Call 911 immediately
• Lay victim flat
• Elevate legs 8-12 inches if no spinal injury
• Maintain normal body temperature
• Don't give food or drink
• Monitor vital signs
• Treat obvious injuries

Cardiac Emergencies

CPR for Adults

1. Check responsiveness
2. Call 911 and get AED
3. Begin chest compressions:
   • Center of chest
   • 2-2.4 inches deep
   • 100-120 compressions per minute
   • Allow complete recoil
4. Give 2 rescue breaths after 30 compressions if trained
5. Continue until help arrives or victim recovers

AED Use

1. Power on the AED
2. Attach pads to bare chest as shown on diagram
3. Allow AED to analyze rhythm
4. Clear everyone from victim during analysis
5. Press shock button if advised
6. Resume CPR immediately after shock or if no shock advised
7. Follow AED prompts

Construction-Specific Emergencies

Crush Injuries

• Call 911 immediately
• Don't attempt to free if large object involved
• Control bleeding
• Immobilize injured area
• Monitor for shock
• Be aware of crush syndrome when pressure is released

Amputation

• Control bleeding at injury site
• Elevate injured area
• Wrap amputated part in clean, dry cloth
• Place in plastic bag and keep cool (not frozen)
• Transport amputated part with victim
• Seek immediate medical attention

Impalement

• Call 911 immediately
• Don't remove the object
• Stabilize the object
• Control bleeding around object
• Cut object if necessary for transport (only if can't be moved otherwise)
• Transport to hospital

Fall Arrest Suspension

• Call for rescue immediately
• If trained and equipped, perform rescue
• Once on ground, keep victim in seated position
• Don't lay victim flat immediately
• Monitor for suspension trauma
• Seek medical attention