Five common medical emergencies in the workplace

Traumatic injuries, sudden illnesses, and medical emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere — including in the workplace. Immediate, high-quality first aid treatment is a vital link in the chain of survival that greatly increases a casualty’s chances of making a full recovery.

In South Africa, the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) requires any workplace employing more than 10 people to have at least one trained First Aider on site. This legal requirement recognises that fast, informed action in the first few minutes of a medical emergency can save lives.

In this article, we outline five common medical emergencies that First Aiders may face in the workplace. We’ll describe key symptoms to look out for and explain the correct first aid response.

1. Cardiovascular emergencies

Two of the most common cardiovascular-related medical emergencies that a workplace First Aider may encounter are heart attacks and cardiac arrest.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack (also known as an acute myocardial infarction or AMI) occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a blood clot. The heart muscle becomes damaged due to lack of oxygen.

Symptoms of a heart attack:

• Chest pain or pressure (often described as tightness or squeezing)
• Pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold sweats, dizziness, fatigue, or fainting
• Loss of consciousness

First aid treatment for a heart attack:

• Call the emergency medical services immediately
• Help the casualty to sit comfortably (on the floor with their back against the wall and knees bent is a good position)
• Try to calm and reassure the casualty (“I’m here with you, I’m a First Aider, help is on the way.”)
• Loosen tight clothing
• Encourage the casualty to take their heart medication if they have any
• Be prepared to administer CPR if needed, and have an AED on hand if possible
• Monitor the casualty until paramedics arrive

What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, causing the casualty to collapse and stop breathing normally. Cardiac arrest is a very serious, life-threatening emergency.

Symptoms of cardiac arrest:

• Sudden collapse
• Unresponsiveness
• Absent or abnormal breathing

First aid treatment for cardiac arrest:

• Call the emergency medical services immediately
• Begin CPR and ask someone to fetch an AED if possible
• Use the AED in conjunction with CPR as soon as possible
• Continue performing CPR with the use of an AED until professional help arrives or the AED indicates that the casualty’s heart rhythm has returned to normal and the casualty is breathing normally

2. Stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke (also called a cerebrovascular accident or CVA) occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and leading to brain cell death.

Stroke symptoms (use the ‘FAST’ acronym):

• Face: facial drooping on one side
• Arms: inability to raise one arm
• Speech: slurred or unclear speech
• Time: urgent medical attention required

Other symptoms of stroke include:

• Loss of vision in one eye
• Severe headache
• Dizziness or feeling like the world is spinning

First aid treatment for stroke:

• Act quickly if you suspect a stroke, the casualty needs to be taken to a stroke unit ASAP to limit brain injury
• Call the emergency medical services immediately or transport the casualty to hospital
• Place the casualty in the recovery position to keep their airway open
• Monitor the casualty closely while waiting for the ambulance
• Most people can hear and understand what’s happening around them while having a stroke, so reassure the casualty and keep them calm

3. Bleeding

Workplace injuries can range from life-threatening to minor. While papercuts, small grazes, and minor wounds don’t constitute a medical emergency, severe bleeding can occur when a casualty sustains a serious injury involving the use of tools or machinery, or as a result of accidents like slips, trips, and falls.

First aid treatment for bleeding:

• Apply direct, firm, sustained pressure to the wound using a clean dressing
• If possible, elevate the injured limb
• Apply additional dressings or a pressure bandage if the original material is soaked through
• Do not remove the first dressing as this may dislodge clots and worsen the bleeding
• Do not remove embedded objects, rather stabilise them in place with a ring bandage
• Call the emergency medical services for severe or uncontrolled bleeding
• Only resort to a tourniquet in very severe cases, for example, amputation

4. Breathing difficulties

Breathing problems in the workplace setting can be caused by:

• Choking
• Asthma
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Exposure to smoke, dust, or chemicals

Symptoms of breathing difficulty:

• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Wheezing or gasping
• Bluish lips or fingertips
• Anxiety or panic
• Inability to speak properly
• If choking, the ‘universal choking sign’ (hands clasped around the neck)

First aid treatment for asthma attack:

• Call the emergency medical services
• Keep the casualty sitting upright and encourage them to remain calm
• Loosen tight clothing around the neck and chest
• Assist the casualty to use their own prescribed medication (such as an asthma inhaler)

First aid treatment for choking: 

• Encourage the casualty to cough the obstruction out
• Perform five back slaps, followed by five abdominal thrusts
• Continue performing five back slaps followed by five abdominal thrusts until the obstruction is cleared
• If the casualty loses consciousness, call the emergency medical services
• Look in the casualty’s mouth and if the obstruction is visibly, remove it by performing a finger sweep
• Start CPR
• Continue performing CPR. Before performing rescue breaths, check in the casualty’s mouth for the obstruction. If you cannot see it or remove it, continue performing CPR until paramedics arrive or the obstruction is cleared and the casualty resumes normal breathing.

5. Seizures

Seizures, fits, and convulsions are all different words that refer to the same medical event: a sudden disruption of electrical activity in the brain. While often associated with epilepsy, seizures can also be caused by illness, injury, or medical conditions.

Symptoms of a seizure:

• Uncontrolled jerking movements
• Stiffening of the body
• Loss of consciousness
• Frothing or foaming from the mouth
• Confusion or drowsiness after the seizure

First aid treatment for seizures:

• Prevent the casualty from injuring themselves by clearing away nearby hazards
• Do not restrain their movements or hold them down
• Do not place anything in the casualty’s mouth
• Carefully place the casualty in the recovery position during the seizure
• Call the emergency medical services and monitor the patient until paramedics arrive.

Prepare for common medical emergencies by investing in first aid training

It’s impossible to predict when you’ll be faced with a medical emergency in the workplace. Ensure that your workplace is both well-prepared and legally compliant by sending your appointed First Aiders on accredited, hands-on first aid training.

Find a first aid course date that suits you by downloading our course schedule here.