What Does
First Aid Incidents Mean?
A first aid incident refers to any injury that can be treated on the job site without causing lost work days. Treatment for first aid incidents includes cleaning minor cuts, scrapes or scratches, treating a minor burn, applying bandages or dressings, cold compress, cold pack, ice bag or splint.
First aid incidents are recorded when first aid treatment is required as a result of a work-related injury. The recordable first aid incidents are usually referred by accident rates, and are one of the many items that can be used for measuring past performance. First aid incident rates are viewed as potential indicators of problems within a safety system.
Safeopedia Explains First Aid Incidents
In certain cases, a first aid incident can lead to a severe injury if necessary action is not taken promptly. Therefore, first aid facilities help to reduce the severity of injuries.
Depending on the assessment of first aid incidents and applicable health and safety rules and regulations, an employer may provide some or all of the following:
- First Aid Kits: These should be easily identifiable and well stocked in the workplace
- First Aid Rooms: These must be accessible, well lit, ventilated, temperature controlled and well stocked
- First Aid Policies and Procedures: As determined by OSHA or another applicable body
After the occurrence of a first aid incident, the details of any treatment given should be recorded by the supervisor. In certain cases, the supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the incident reports are forwarded to the corresponding health and safety department in an organization.