Basic First Aid on a Construction Site
A small cut, a deep wound, a burn or a serious fall can happen during everyday construction work. The first few minutes after an injury can make a difference, but the wrong response can also cause further harm.
First aid is the immediate assistance given to an injured or suddenly ill person until appropriate medical care is available.
You do not need to be a doctor to help. You do need to know your limits.
First Aid Starts With Safety
Before treating an injured person, check whether the area is safe.
- Watch for live electrical equipment, moving machinery, falling materials and other ongoing hazards.
- Ask someone to raise the alarm and call for medical assistance when needed.
- Use suitable gloves or other available protective equipment when contact with blood or body fluids is possible.
- Do not move a seriously injured person unnecessarily.
If the scene is unsafe, keep clear and wait for the hazard to be controlled by trained personnel.
Cuts, Bleeding and Wounds
Cuts and wounds may appear minor but can become serious if bleeding is heavy or the wound is deep.
For bleeding:
- Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean dressing or cloth.
- If blood soaks through, add another dressing without removing the first one.
- Get urgent medical assistance for severe bleeding, deep wounds or bleeding that does not stop.
- If an object is embedded in the wound, do not remove it. Apply pressure around it and seek urgent help.
For a minor wound, once bleeding is controlled, clean it with clean running water and cover it with a suitable dressing. Seek medical advice for deep or dirty wounds, bites, signs of infection or possible tetanus exposure.
Burns and Suspected Fractures
Burns
Construction workers may suffer burns from hot materials, sparks, chemicals or electricity.
For a thermal burn:
- Cool the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible.
- Remove nearby jewellery or loose clothing unless it is stuck to the skin.
- Do not apply ice, toothpaste, oil or other home remedies.
- Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-fluffy dressing or suitable clean covering.
- Seek urgent medical attention for serious, extensive, chemical or electrical burns, or burns involving the face, hands, genitals or major joints.
For chemical exposure, follow the product safety instructions and seek professional guidance. Remove contaminated clothing if safe to do so, and flush affected skin or eyes with plenty of water when appropriate. Do not try to neutralize a chemical with another chemical.
Suspected fractures
A fall or impact can cause a fracture even when there is little visible swelling.
- Keep the injured part still and supported in the position found.
- Do not attempt to straighten a deformed limb or push a bone back into place.
- Control bleeding around the injury without pressing directly on an exposed bone.
- Arrange medical assessment. Treat serious falls or suspected head, neck or back injuries as emergencies.
When Someone Is Unresponsive
An unresponsive worker needs immediate assessment and emergency assistance.
- Check that the scene is safe.
- Check whether the person responds and is breathing normally.
- Call emergency services or direct someone to call. Ask for an AED if available.
- If the person is not breathing normally, begin CPR if trained, or follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions. Use an AED as soon as available and follow its prompts.
- If the person is unconscious but breathing normally, monitor their breathing and follow dispatcher instructions. Use the recovery position when appropriate, unless a spinal injury is suspected; avoid unnecessary movement.
Do not assume that gasping or irregular breaths are normal breathing. If you are unsure, contact emergency services immediately and follow their instructions.
Never delay emergency help while trying to manage a life-threatening situation alone.
What Not to Do
Some common reactions can make an injury worse.
- Do not give food or drink to an unconscious person.
- Do not move someone with a suspected serious spinal injury unless there is immediate danger or movement is necessary for lifesaving care.
- Do not remove embedded objects from wounds.
- Do not apply ice, toothpaste or oil to burns.
- Do not touch an electrically injured person until the electrical danger has been safely isolated.
- Do not give medication or attempt treatment beyond your training.
When uncertain, get professional help and follow the emergency dispatcher’s guidance.
First-Aid Kits and Trained Responders
Every construction site should have accessible, appropriately stocked first-aid supplies and a clear process for getting help.
Workers should know:
- Where the first-aid kit is kept.
- Who the trained first aiders are.
- How to contact emergency services.
- How to guide an ambulance to the correct location.
- How to report an injury or near miss.
First-aid supplies should be checked regularly and replenished when used or expired. The site should arrange training and coverage appropriate to its size, activities and risks.
Know Your Limits, Get Help
First aid is about providing safe, immediate support, not replacing professional medical treatment.
A calm response, prompt communication and the right basic actions can help protect an injured worker while professional care is on the way.
Know what you can do. Recognize what you cannot. Get help without delay.
Quick Check
☐ Is the scene safe?
☐ Has medical help been called when needed?
☐ Am I trained to provide this assistance?
☐ Am I avoiding actions that could worsen the injury?
☐ Is someone monitoring the injured worker until help arrives?
The right first aid can reduce harm while professional help is on the way.
Knowing what to do, and what not to do, can make a critical difference in an emergency.
ACT QUICKLY. GIVE FIRST AID. GET HELP.
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS SAFETY
Learn | Prevent | Protect
