First Aid, CPR, and Incident Reporting

Why First Aid and Incident Reporting Matter on Every Job Site

Every day, construction workers face hazards that can turn into medical emergencies in seconds — a fall from a ladder, a chemical splash to the eyes, or a crew member collapsing from heat exhaustion on a sweltering summer afternoon. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes before emergency medical services (EMS) arrive is the difference between a full recovery and a permanent injury or death. OSHA requires employers to ensure that adequate first-aid supplies and trained personnel are available on site. This lesson prepares you to act quickly, correctly, and calmly.

Adult CPR and AED Use

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any age. When the heart stops pumping, brain damage begins within four to six minutes. Bystander CPR keeps oxygenated blood moving until a defibrillator or advanced care arrives.

Hands-Only CPR steps:

1. Confirm the scene is safe before approaching.

2. Tap the person's shoulders and shout, "Are you okay?"

3. If no response and no normal breathing, call 911 (or direct a bystander to call) and send someone for the AED.

4. Place the heel of your hand on the center of the chest — on the lower half of the sternum.

5. Place your second hand on top, fingers interlaced and lifted off the chest.

6. Press down hard and fast: at least 2 inches deep (but no more than 2.4 inches), at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Allow full chest recoil between compressions.

7. Do not stop until the AED is ready, EMS takes over, or you are too exhausted to continue.

Two-Rescuer CPR divides the work: one rescuer does compressions while the second delivers rescue breaths (30 compressions to 2 breaths) and operates the AED. Rescuers switch roles every two minutes to prevent fatigue-related decline in compression quality.

AED Use: Automated External Defibrillators give voice instructions. Turn it on, attach the pads as shown in the diagrams on each pad (one below the right collarbone, one on the left side below the armpit), stand clear during analysis, and press the shock button only when prompted. Resume CPR immediately after each shock.

Controlling Bleeding

For serious external bleeding:

• Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth or sterile dressing.
• Do not remove a soaked dressing — add more material on top.
• Maintain pressure continuously for at least several minutes.
• If the wound is on a limb and bleeding is life-threatening and uncontrolled, a commercial tourniquet applied two to three inches above the wound (never over a joint) may be indicated. Follow your provider course guidance on tourniquet use.
• Wear nitrile or latex gloves whenever possible to protect yourself and the victim.

Trade-Specific Scenarios

Fall from a six-foot ladder: Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities. After calling 911, do not move the victim unless there is immediate danger — suspect spinal injury. Keep the person still, maintain an open airway, control any visible bleeding, and provide reassurance until EMS arrives. Never remove a hard hat that may be holding an injured skull in place.

Chemical splash to the eyes from paint stripper: Many paint strippers contain caustic or solvent-based chemicals that cause rapid eye damage. Act within seconds:

1. Direct the person to the nearest eyewash station.

2. Flush continuously with clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes — more if a caustic (alkaline) product was involved.

3. Hold eyelids open during flushing.

4. Call 911 or Poison Control and have the product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ready for responders.

5. Do not rub the eyes or try to neutralize the chemical.

Heat exhaustion on a summer finishing job: Signs include heavy sweating, cool and pale skin, weakness, nausea, headache, and a fast but weak pulse. Move the person to a cool area immediately. Loosen or remove excess clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. If the person is conscious and not nauseated, offer cool water in small sips. Call 911 if symptoms worsen or do not improve within 15 minutes — heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Do not give aspirin or ibuprofen.

OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping

OSHA requires most employers with more than ten employees to maintain injury and illness records on three related forms:

• OSHA 300 Log — a running log of every recordable work-related injury or illness during the calendar year.
• OSHA 300A Summary — posted in a visible workplace location every February 1 through April 30.
• OSHA 301 Incident Report — a detailed account of each individual recordable event, completed within seven calendar days of the employer learning of the injury or illness.

A recordable incident is one that results in days away from work, restricted duty, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or diagnosis of a significant condition by a healthcare professional.

Completing a form accurately matters. Missing fields, incorrect dates, or vague injury descriptions can create legal problems for the employer and delay workers' compensation. Every entry must include the employee's name, job title, date of injury, where the event occurred, what the person was doing, how the injury happened, the body part affected, and the type of injury or illness. Use clear, plain language — "worker fell from six-foot ladder, struck concrete floor, laceration to right forearm" is far better than "fell."

Safety Rules for This Lab

• Wash hands before and after manikin practice; follow your instructor's manikin hygiene protocol.
• Use only the trainer AED unit — never bring a live AED into a training drill unless your instructor directs otherwise.
• Handle eyewash bottles and stations as demonstrated; do not aim a pressurized bottle at another student's face.
• If you feel unwell or have a physical limitation that affects CPR practice, notify your instructor immediately.