Depending on your profession, there is always a chance that you could suffer an on-the-job injury. There are many types of injuries that could come into play, with broken bones often among the most common.
If you suffer a broken bone on the job, it’s important that you stay where you are until medical help arrives. You don’t want to do anything that could worsen your injury.
Here are some additional steps you should take at this time:
- Stop any bleeding. The best way to do this is to use a clean cloth or sterile bandage to apply gentle pressure.
- Immobilize the area. As noted above, you don’t want to move the injured area.
- Apply ice. Not only can this temporarily relieve the pain, but it can also limit swelling to a certain degree.
- Watch for signs of shock. This can include anything from short breaths to a dizzy feeling.
It’s important to take these steps if you think you have a broken bone, as each one can help you get through this difficult time as you wait for help to arrive.
While your health is more important than anything else, don’t delay in reporting the accident and injury to your employer. This could go a long way in helping another worker avoid the same type of injury.
If your medical team feels that it’s best for you to stay away from work for an extended period of time, you’ll want to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. This will provide you with financial assistance until you can return to your job.
Source: Mayo Clinic, “Fractures (broken bones): First aid,” accessed Oct. 20, 2017