When a workplace incident results in injuries, the quality of the first aid response in the first few minutes directly affects the outcome for the casualty. First aiders must assess the scene for danger, check the casualty's airway, breathing, and circulation, control severe bleeding, and call for emergency medical services. On construction sites with multiple potential injury types, understanding the basic triage principles of treating the most life-threatening condition first can make the difference between survival and death.
Key Hazards
Delayed first aid response because trained first aiders are not immediately available
Incorrect treatment worsening the casualty's condition before professional help arrives
Scene hazards injuring the first aider who approaches without checking for danger first
Multiple casualties from a single incident overwhelming the first aid capability
Control Measures
Check the scene is safe before approaching the casualty to avoid becoming a second victim.
Assess the casualty using the primary survey: danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation.
Call 999 immediately for any serious injury and provide the exact site location and nature of injury.
Control severe bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean dressing and elevating the limb.
Place an unconscious breathing casualty in the recovery position to protect their airway.
Begin CPR immediately for any casualty who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Use the nearest defibrillator for cardiac arrest and follow the voice prompts from the device.
Do not move a casualty with a suspected spinal injury unless they face immediate further danger.
Stay with the casualty, keep them warm, reassure them, and hand over to paramedics on arrival.
Emergency / Rescue
For cardiac arrest: call 999, start CPR with 30 compressions to 2 breaths, and apply the defibrillator. For severe bleeding: apply direct pressure and call 999. For unconscious but breathing: place in recovery position.
Remember
Check the scene is safe before you approach — an injured first aider helps nobody.
The primary survey assesses the most life-threatening conditions first: airway, breathing, circulation.
Severe bleeding can be fatal within minutes — apply direct pressure immediately and do not remove it.
A defibrillator can save a life during cardiac arrest and is designed to be used by anyone.
Do not move a casualty with a potential spinal injury unless their life is in immediate danger.
Clear handover to paramedics including what happened, what you found, and what treatment you gave.
Applicable Legislation: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999