We have very few people now working in the office, do we ...
Providing First Aid During the COVID-19 Pandemic We have very few people now working in the office, do we still need a first aid attendant?Workplaces must still maintain first aid levels to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, but the requirements may be reduced due to less staff in the workplace. We can get creative by sharing first aid attendants between floors in office towers and neighbouring buildings to meet the requirements. This should be documented using a first aid sharing agreement.?A typical office with 10 or less staff won’t require a first aid attendant, just a basic first aid kit available to all staff. Workplaces should reassess the level of attendant and equipment required using the MyHR First Aid Need Assessment Tool to ensure they are meeting requirements. The tool will define the level and number of attendants required. When the online tool asks:What is the maximum number of workers (including managers) in the workplace at one time (excluding shift changes)? Count only the number of staff working on site. Are workers dispatched from this site to work at other locations?Click noUse the tool to create the new procedures for summoning first aid, to identify the first aid attendants and to explain how they will access the workplace.For assistance with first aid sharing submit an AskMyHR service request using the category Myself (or) My Team or Organization > COVID-19.If a first aid attendant is not at the office, does the attendant have any first aid related responsibilities?If a serious injury or illness occurs and no first aid attendant is onsite call 911.For minor injuries an offsite first aid attendant (particularily an Occupational First Aid Level 2 attendant) has a role. Attendants are required by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to record work related injures or illness, provide care appropriate to their level of training and recommend transportation of an injured worker. When working from home the first aid attendant can provide these services to minor injuries in a modified way. The first aid attendant can:Record the injury to be added to the first aid records when they return to the worksiteCoach the onsite workers on how to bandage or treat a minor injuryAdvise the onsite workers when it’s time to send an injured worker to a clinic or hospital Is it safe to provide Occupational First Aid during the COVID-19 Pandemic?COVID-19 has disrupted how the BC Public Service operates. It has caused all of us to change how we behave at work by physically distancing, handwashing often, practicing coughing and sneezing etiquette and most of all leaving or not attending the workplace when sick. These are the Standard Precautions issued by the Provincial Health Officer. When the Standard Precautions are practiced, WorkSafeBC considers a workplace safe. Occupational First Aid attendants already have training in protecting themselves from biological hazards and can provide first aid to workers as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.As an Occupational First Aid Attendant, what do I need to know about the hazard COVID-19 presents? The BC Center for Disease Control advises that the coronavirus (COVID-19) is transmitted via larger liquid droplets generated when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus can enter through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close contact, or by droplets from an infected person being picked up on our hands then touching our face. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. They include cough, sneezing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. They are like a cold or flu and may take up to 14 days to appear after being exposed.As an Occupational First Aid Attendant how do I minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure when providing first aid?Occupational First Aid attendants are only required to provide first aid to workers. This is the first control because employees of the BC Public Service must not be at the workplace when presenting COVID-19-like symptoms.Safety is integral to the Priority Action Approach that is taught as part of occupational first aid. If at any time the attendant believes their safety is at risk by providing first aid, they should stop providing first aid and call 911.Here is an outline of how the Priority Action Approach includes controls for COVID 19 exposure:Scene assessmentHazard considerations – during the COVID-19 pandemic looking for signs of a contagious illness hazard are heightened; however, this should always be a consideration for biological hazards whether the hazard is Hep-C, Influenza or COVID-19Mechanism of injury – what happened? Mechanism of injury could be answered during the phone call requesting the first aid services and will provide information on controls for COVID-19Injury – proceed to scene, maintain two metres physical distance while understanding what happenedIllness – ask what symptoms are occurring over the phone or before arriving on sceneIf symptoms are COVID-19-like provide information in the question, what do I do if a worker approaches me for first aid and has COVID-19 like symptoms? below. Do not approach any closer.If symptoms are not COVID-19, proceed to scene maintaining two metres physical distance while understanding what happenedNumber of injured workersPrimary surveyUse the mechanism of injury and seriousness of the injury to inform how to modify the primary survey for COVID-19 hazard.For a minor injury able to go back to work, use a modified primary survey by observing the employee as you meet them from two metres away, then directing the injured worker to do as much assessment and treatment themselves as possible. This is good practice when a person is bleeding to limit the chance of exposure from blood-borne and bodily fluids. Have the worker turn their head away from you when it is impossible for the injured worker to palpate or bandage the injury (use gloves as directed in your training).Conscious or unconscious major injury (injured worker not able to walk) will require being in close contact with the injured worker; however, modify your approach by using the back of your non-dominant hand when checking for breaths and keep your face away from the injured workers face. The Canadian Heart and Stroke recommends Hands-Only CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic by:Preventing contamination: lay a cloth, towel, or clothing over the person’s mouth and nose to prevent any potential spread of the virus through contaminated air or salivaProvide Hands-Only CPR: Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest with one hand on top of the other. Think of the beat of Stayin' Alive or about 100-120 beats per minute. Don't stop until the ambulance arrives. Do not give rescue breaths.Note: conscious workers may not feel comfortable with something covering their face. Talk with the worker before using a cloth over their face.During a major injury, close contact for a short duration is likely. The risk of being exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace is low because symptomatic people, the primary spreaders of COVID-19, are not in the workplace. If you are unwilling to accept this risk, please talk with your leadership team to resign your post.The questions on the following page discuss how these controls apply to OFA scenarios.What do I do if a worker approaches me for first aid and has COVID-19-like symptoms?No further assessment is required. Tell the worker to inform their supervisor they are sick. The BC Public Service COVID-19 Response Overview requires sick workers to stay at home. Recommend the worker experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to use the BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool, call 8-1-1 to speak with HealthLinkBC or contact their primary care provider.A worker approaches me with an injury like a small cut or other minor injury requiring bandaging and can go back to work. How do I minimize my risk of exposure to COVID-19?Assess the scene by asking the employee to stay two metres away and if they have a cough, fever or shortness of breath.If they do have symptoms see the above questionIf they don’t have symptoms and the injury is minorConduct a Modified Primary Assessment from two metres physical distanceCoach the injured worker on how to treat themselves byProviding the correct first aid supplies to treat the injuryDemonstrate on yourselfEnsure that blood borne, and body fluid procedure are followed for cleaning the area and equipment. I respond to a co-worker that has collapsed and is unconscious. How do I minimize my risk of exposure to COVID-19?Direct someone to call 911.Assess the scene by investigating the mechanism of injury and asking witnesses if the employee was ill.Modify your Primary Assessment approach by using the back of your non-dominant hand to check for breaths while keeping your face away from the injured workers face. The Canadian Heart and Stroke recommends Hands-Only CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic.After the incident follow blood-borne and body fluid procedure for cleaning of the area and equipment.For more information see the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) for BC Public Service Employees. If you have questions, submit an AskMyHR service request using the category Myself (or) My Team or Organization > COVID-19. ................
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