First Aid, CPR, and Masonry Emergency Response
Objective. Students perform hands-only CPR, control severe bleeding with direct pressure and improvised bandaging, and describe the correct emergency response sequence for the most common masonry site injuries including eye injuries from mortar splash, heat illness, and crush injuries.
This lesson, its worked examples and its practice questions has not yet been verified by a licensed professional engineer or master tradesperson or by a certification or approval body. It is a study draft and may contain errors. Do not use it as instructions for work on a job site or on live equipment. Always follow your instructor, your supervising professional, and current official references and regulations.
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Why First Aid Matters on a Masonry Site
Masonry work involves heavy materials, caustic substances, power tools, and outdoor heat. Injuries can happen faster than emergency services can arrive. A worker who knows how to act in the first few minutes can prevent a minor injury from becoming a life-threatening emergency. Every person on a masonry crew should know basic first aid, CPR, and the site's emergency action plan (EAP) before touching a trowel.
Hands-Only CPR
Cardiac arrest can occur on any job site from electrocution, heat stroke, or underlying health conditions. The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross both recognize hands-only CPR as an effective technique for bystander response in adults.
The steps:
1. Confirm the scene is safe before approaching.
2. Tap the person's shoulder and shout, "Are you okay?"
3. If there is no response and no normal breathing, call 911 (or direct a specific person to call).
4. Send someone to retrieve the AED.
5. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (lower half of the sternum); place your other hand on top.
6. Compress hard and fast — push down at least 2 inches for adults, at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Let the chest fully recoil between compressions.
7. Continue until the AED arrives, the person shows obvious signs of life, or a trained responder takes over.
Full recoil — letting the chest rise completely between compressions — is critical because it allows the heart to refill with blood. Leaning on the chest between compressions reduces blood flow.
Controlling Severe Bleeding
Cuts from chisels, broken masonry units, and wire ties are common on masonry sites. Severe bleeding must be controlled immediately.
Direct pressure method:
1. Put on disposable gloves before touching the wound.
2. Cover the wound with sterile gauze.
3. Apply firm, continuous pressure with your palm for at least 5–10 minutes without lifting the gauze. If blood soaks through, add more gauze on top — do not remove the first layer.
4. Secure with an elastic bandage wrapped snugly but not so tight that circulation is cut off downstream.
5. Keep the injured limb elevated if possible.
6. Call 911 for wounds that do not slow with direct pressure, for deep punctures, or for any wound where bone is visible.
Never use a tourniquet unless you are trained in its use and direct pressure has failed on a limb wound.
Eye Injuries from Mortar Splash
Portland cement and mortar are highly alkaline and can cause chemical burns to the eye within minutes of contact. An eye-wash station is required by OSHA whenever employees are exposed to corrosive materials.
Correct eye-wash response:
1. Act immediately — every second counts with chemical burns.
2. Go to the nearest eye-wash station. Know its location before you start work.
3. Hold your eyelids open with your fingers and flush continuously with clean water for at least 15 minutes.
4. Remove contact lenses during flushing if they come out easily; do not force removal.
5. After flushing, cover the eye loosely with a sterile dressing.
6. Transport the worker to a medical facility or call 911. Always seek medical evaluation after any alkaline eye exposure, even if pain seems to decrease.
Never rub the eye — rubbing drives particles deeper and worsens chemical burns.
Heat Illness Recognition and First Response
Working in direct sun while mixing mortar or laying brick creates real risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion signs: heavy sweating, cool or pale skin, weakness, nausea, headache, dizziness. The worker is usually still alert.
- Move the person to a cool, shaded area.
- Loosen or remove extra clothing.
- Provide cool water to drink if the person is alert and can swallow.
- Apply cool, wet cloths to skin.
- Monitor closely; call 911 if symptoms do not improve within 15 minutes or worsen.
Heat stroke signs: high body temperature, hot and red skin (may be dry or sweaty), confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency.
- Call 911 immediately.
- Cool the person rapidly by any means available (cold water immersion is most effective if possible, or ice packs to neck, armpits, and groin).
- Do not give fluids to an unconscious person.
Crush Injuries
Dropped masonry units or tipping scaffolding can cause crush injuries. First response:
1. Do not attempt to move heavy material alone if the scene is unsafe.
2. Call 911 before moving the injured person unless the scene poses immediate further danger.
3. Control visible bleeding with direct pressure.
4. Keep the person still and calm; do not remove impaled objects.
5. Monitor breathing and be prepared to perform CPR if the person loses consciousness.
The Emergency Action Plan
Every OSHA-covered worksite must have a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Know these before work begins:
- The location of first-aid kits and eye-wash stations.
- Designated emergency exits.
- Who calls 911 and from where.
- The site address to give to dispatchers.
- The designated meeting point outside the building.
Posting the EAP and conducting a site orientation walk-through at the start of each new project saves lives.
Key terms8
Materials: CPR manikins (one per two students), AED trainer unit, first-aid kit (commercial), eye-wash station, sterile gauze, elastic bandages, disposable gloves, American Red Cross First Aid/CPR participant guide or equivalent, school shop floor plan.
Check: Skills checklist completed by instructor for each student: CPR rate and depth within AHA-acceptable range, correct bleeding-control technique demonstrated, correct eye-wash procedure demonstrated; pass requires all three skills rated 'satisfactory' on the checklist.
Practice check8
Answer each question, then check it. Nothing is recorded; this is your own practice.
