Injuries are always unexpected and never wanted. However, not everything works the way people think. From a paper cut to a major event, workplace injuries can happen anytime. Even though one cannot stop injuries from happening, one can prevent them from worsening.
This starts with maintaining an equipped first-aid box for medical attention in the workplace. Additionally, in dire situations, having fully stocked medical supplies could mean the difference between a successful ending and a tragedy. Here are more reasons why every office needs a first-aid kit.
Reasons to Have a First-Aid Kit in the Workplace
Here are some top benefits of having a fully stocked first-aid kit in your office:
Quick Treatment
Wondering why having first-aid kits is crucial? Suppose there is a medical emergency. If there is a first-aid kit ready, you can immediately react to it. You must be aware of how critical even a minute is in an emergency. For common medical issues, these kits offer basic, prompt care. Whether it is cuts or burns, small or complex, you can treat injuries right away.
If a cut isn't cleansed and covered for hours, dirt and germs can readily accumulate and cause an infection. By offering immediate help, you can treat the injured person almost instantly. As a result, he/she will be saved from anything that could go worse without first aid.
Stops Blood Loss
Sometimes injuries can create a lot of trouble. Even if it is a minor one. Especially, at times when the blood flow won’t stop at all. First-aid kits are lifesavers in such cases. What do you do? You just use the gauze and a bandage. That’s it. The blood flow will stop immediately. However, this is the opposite, when you don't have the right medical supplies on hand.
Yes, failing to stop the blood loss may also cause hemorrhagic shock. This is yet another reason why you must have appropriate medical supplies at the office. Besides, to prevent severe blood loss, apply pressure to the wound and cover it with gauze. Put a bandage on the wound right away to keep it there.
Lessens Complications
Another reason why you must have a first-aid kit in your workplace is that it lessens complications. It’s all about the urgency and timing that matter the most. The sooner you take care of and clean up the wound, the better. You won’t face any complications with the wound later.
You might have come across insect bites and stinging incidents. Have you observed the skin redness and rashes? A quick and efficient first-aid solution can hasten and improve the healing of the inflammation. Scarring can be avoided by treating the bite and using antiseptic creams.
Relieves Pain
Imagine yourself or an employee getting a minor burn, and there's nothing you can do. Well, this is where a first-aid box comes into play. The injured region should receive first-aid care as soon as possible. By providing immediate help, you can help to relieve the discomfort, pain and stop severe harm.
However, make sure the person is breathing, and protect the burn site from further harm. Cover the wound with gauze or a sterile cloth and raise it above the level of the heart if at all possible. You can also check for an over-the-counter pain medication in the box to lessen the pain.
Cost-Efficiency
Another reason to keep a first-aid box handy at the workplace is cost efficiency. Consider having to send every worker who suffers a minor mishap to a hospital or their residence for care. From transportation to medicines, this could cost a lot.
Besides, even a brief wait at an urgent care centre might take up the majority of an injured worker's shift. Having first-aid materials in place saves you from this. You can easily treat minor injuries. What else? You get the workers working, without spending time on unnecessary disruptions. Result? The productivity increases.
Special Tips to Maintain a First-Aid Kit While You Are in a Workplace
Already planning to create your first aid kit in the workplace? Don't know where to start? Well, here are some best tips:
Assess Risks and Needs
Every workplace has various dangers and requirements. Even different departments within your company may have varied requirements. Therefore, creating first-aid kits starts with assessing risks and needs. Examine previous event reports to identify typical injury locations, types, and severity.
For instance, you may discover that workers who use a specific machine are more likely to have scratches. Therefore, having bandages, gauze, and wound wash on hand may be essential. You could also discuss with coworkers to know about other dangers that you are unaware of.
Select the Best Team
Another step is to have a specialised response team that covers all shifts and departments. It is important to teach all employees and train the best team for emergencies. There's no point in stocking an office with supplies but having no one to use them in a time of need.
You could also give printed guidelines and leaflets as reminders of some of the methods and processes in first aid training. If needed, your response team members can consult them. Besides, even employees without first aid training may use them in an emergency.
Maintain Supplies
The most crucial tip to consider is to maintain your first-aid kits’ supplies at all times. Keep an easy-to-identify box or container with all the first aid items you need. You must also keep your supplies in containers of different colours, such as red or yellow, to ensure they don't get mixed.
Also, regularly check the supplies in your first aid kits from time to time. This will ensure that every item is well-stocked at all times. This also helps in eliminating supplies that are expired or no longer in use. Also, place the first-aid box where all the members can reach in times of need.
Be the Instant Helping Hand
At MedGuard, we are the Medical supplier of first-aid kits. From wipes to bandages, we have everything well-stocked for you. From hospitals to the workplace and others, we cater to a wide range of industries. Wondering if you can get a customised first-aid box for your kid? Well, yes! Just share with us your needs and queries, as we are eager to hear from you.