First Aid Course: How To Prevent Common Workplace Injuries

Whether it be an electrical hazard or a paper cut, accidents happen all the time in the workplace, but often they can be avoided with proper first aid course training. With the right equipment provision and first aid training, you can ensure a safer, healthier and more productive work environment.

Here at EMCARE, we believe in the value of proper safety training for all workspaces. In this quick read, we'll be highlighting the most commonplace injuries that occur in working environments and they can be easily prevented through proper first aid training.

Common Workplace Injuries

Working in any workplace poses its own safety risks for its employees. Injuries in the workplace can range anywhere from trips and falls to more severe cases such as machinery accidents. Here is a quick breakdown of some of the most common workplace accidents and why they occur in the first place:

Handling & Lifting
One of the most common types of injuries that occur in the workplace are due to unsafely lifting or handling objects. If you don't carry or handle your work materials correctly, you could very easily injure your shoulders, joint or back. There are several factors that can increase the risk of manual handling related injuries in the workplace, such as temperature changes and improper training.

The best way to avoid these kinds of injuries is with a first aid course. By completing a first aid course and informing your workers on proper safety protocols, staff members will be more informed on how to correctly lift and carry loads without injuring themselves. Additionally, taking a first aid course will help to instill a culture of safety within the workplace, allowing your staff to be more aware of their surroundings and keep them focused on safety measures.

Falling From Heights
Falls, while not as common as handling injuries and trips, can be incredibly dangerous, especially from certain heights. If a worker falls from a steep enough height, it could lead to fatal consequences. Whether it be as dangerous as a fall from a multi-story building or as simple as losing your balance while standing on a chair, a fall from a height is a leading cause for fatal workplace accidents. This is why first aid course training is essential in the workplace.

As much as possible, working at heights should be avoided for all employees. In cases where it can't be avoided, however, proper safety measures need to be adhered to. If you or one of your workers needs to work at an elevated height, be sure to use a sturdy ladder that is fastened to the ground. Alternatively, a mobile elevating work platform is highly effective for ensuring safety and preventing the risk of potential falls.

Trips & Slips
According to certain studies, the most common types of injuries that occur in the workplace are slips and trips on the same level. This can occur due to several factors, such as floor obstructions, stray cables or smooth wet floors. As these kinds of accidents are so common, they can almost always be easily avoided by enforcing proper first aid course precautions.

If you or a worker spills a liquid in the workplace, be sure to clean it immediately to avoid unnecessary tripping. Additionally, if the floors of your workplace have just been cleaned and are slippery or wet, put up a sign to alert your workers of the potential slipping hazard. To further avoid the risk of trips or falls, remove any obstructing materials or stray cables that may be in the way of typical walking paths.

Although the injuries occur more often, there are many other injuries employees can be exposed to in the workplace. A few notable injuries include, contact with machinery, being hit by something, burns and environmental health hazards.

Treating Workplace Injuries

While taking the proper safety measures is essential for preventing workplace injuries, not all accidents can be avoided entirely. This is why it is crucial that workers and employers be well-versed in first aid practices by completing a first aid course. By completing a first aid course, you and your workers can treat and address injuries with proper first aid procedures.

Whether it be a simple paper cut or a nasty fall in the office, being prepared for any emergency is essential to ensure workplace safety. Once you've completed your first aid training, you'll be more aware of crucial safety measures to instill within the workplace, such as regularly updating your first aid kit and ensuring that all equipment or machinery is being operated correctly.

About EMCARE

If you're looking to take up a first aid course and ensure a culture of safety within your workplace, EMCARE has got you covered. Founded in 1997, EMCARE is a registered health and training facility offering a diverse range of comprehensive training modules and classes across several industries. Whether you're interested in completing a first aid course or any of our firefighter modules, we've got it all. Providing an invaluable service for industry and commerce, EMCARE's training goes above and beyond for aspiring health and safety workers.

If you're interested in making your workplace a healthier place and fostering a culture of safety, consider taking our first aid course for high-quality training. Start your first aid journey today by signing up for our courses or getting in touch with us online.