Document jE01xkpMv5z5YnXexvVYqvd2

articles for the immediate treatment of in juries "Departmental kits" are larger-- they are planned to cover a group of workers and the quantity of material depends on the size of the working force "Trunk kits" are the most complete--they can be earned easily to the accident site, or can be stored near working areas that are distant from wellequipped emergency first aid rooms Al though they include such bulky items as a wash basin, blankets, splints, and stretchers, they can be carried conveniently by two men Distribution of first aid kits throughout the plant seems to work to best advantage when supervised properly Each kit is the responsibility of a single, trained individual who should understand that he is to care for the most trivial injuries only or to render onlv temporary treatment for more serious cases It is believed that with this system many slight scratches and cuts are given attention which they would otherwise not receive In such industrial organizations as min ing companies and public utilities, where activities are widely scattered, the use of first aid kits and some sell-medication by employees may be necessary In these in stances, however, it is better it first aid service can be controlled by having the attendant in charge properlv instructed in first aid and by seeing that the service as a whole has proper medical supervision The maintenance and use of all of these first aid kits should be under the supervi sion of medical personnel, and they should contain the materials approved by the con sultant physician A member of the medi cal services group should be assigned to inspect all first aid materials regularly, and to submit a report of their content level and serviceability --Are the required materials enclosed'* Are they clean and dry? Maintenance of quantities of materials in the first aid kit is facilitated if each kit con tains a list showing the original contents and the minimum quantities below which new materials should be ordered All bot tles or other containers should be clearly labeled Recommended materials for first aid kits are listed m the American Red Cross and the U S Bureau of Mines first aid textbooks Suggestions are also available from the Amer ican Medical Association and from manu facturers of first aid materials Also see NSC Data Sheet No 202, Untt First Aid Kits Stretchers Inadequate facilities for trans porting a seriously injured person from the scene of the accident to a first aid room or a hospital can add to the seriousness of the injurv and may be the determining factor between life and death The stretcher provides the most accepta ble method of hand transportation and it can be used as a temporary cot at the scene of the accident, during transit m a vehicle, and at the first aid room or dispensary There are several types of stretchers The ordinary army type is commonly used, and is satisfactory However, when it is neces sary to hoist or lower the injured person out of awkward places, specially shaped stretch ers to which the patient may be strapped and thus kept in an immovable position are better Stretchers should be located conveniently near all places where employees are exposed to serious hazards It is customaiy to keep stretchers, blankets, and splints in cabinets that are marked and placed to stand out among everything surrounding them Stretch ers should be kept clean, should not be ex posed to destructive fumes, dust, or other substances, should be protected against mechanical damage, and should be ready for use at all times If the stretcher is of a type that will deteriorate, it should be tested periodically for durability and for strength Medical records Industrial medical records provide data for use in job placement, in establishing health standards, in health maintenance, in treatment and rehabilitation, in workmen's compensation cases, in epidemiologic stud ies, and in helping management with program evaluation and improvement These data are collected in the history interview, from the preplacement examination and any sub sequent examinations, and from all visits the worker makes to the dispensary or firstaid room --they establish a medical profile of each worker The key to accurate diagnosis and treat ment often lies m the adequacy and com pleteness of thrs medical profile, therefore, its maintenance is a professional responsi- 1235