Workplace Cardiac Arrest: More Common Than You Think
Damar Hamlin's recent NFL injury during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was rather unprecedented on a football field. It was not, however, unprecedented for the sports world.
Manchester United star Christian Eriksen collapsed similarly on a soccer field while playing for Denmark and was taken off the field.
Unfortunately, types of traumatic events are not rare. The National Safety Council reports approximately 10,000 cardiac-related events occur annually on the job.
For employers, the challenge becomes how to prepare.
There are safety standards in place to help employers respond to these emergency situations.
If there is no clinic or hospital within three to four minutes of a workplace, OSHA’s First Aid Standard (29 CFR 1910.151) requires employers to have trained first aid providers at the workplace.
In specific industries such as construction, logging, or electric power, employers must abide by additional training standards.
Regardless of the industry or injury, ultimately an employer must be able to ensure prompt first aid treatment to an employee.
The time it takes for an employer to respond to an emergency situation is crucial.
Safety Priority Consultants president and prominent OSHA trainer Chip Darius said “early access to alerting the emergency services, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced cardiac life support, and hospital care after resuscitation are vital” in these circumstances when a traumatic event such as cardiac arrest occurs.
In addition to trained first aid providers at the facility or nearby, employers should have first aid supplies on site.
Learn How to Save a Life
Learning how to save a life is one of the most important skills that anyone can acquire. Knowing how to provide basic first aid and CPR can make a critical difference in emergency situations, whether it's in the workplace, at home, or in the community. In many cases, the first few minutes after an accident or medical emergency are crucial for the survival and recovery of the victim. Having the knowledge and skills to perform CPR, control bleeding, and use basic medical equipment can mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, first aid training can also help reduce the severity of injuries and illnesses, and can improve the chances of a full recovery. It's not only important for personal safety, it also can be a valuable asset for personal and professional development.
