WEEKLY TOOL BOX SAFETY MEETINGS
HEART ATTACK
First responders at a jobsite sometimes encounter emergencies that are not work-related but arise from sudden illness. An example of this, which is the topic of today’s safety meeting, is a heart attack. A heart attack usually involves a clot or other blockage in one of the blood vessels that supplies the heart. The primary symptom of a heart attack is discomfort in the chest that many people describe as pressure, a squeezing sensation, or pain. The discomfort may extend to the neck, jaw, or arms. Other symptoms include sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, or a feeling of weakness.
Individuals with heart disease are at greater risk of having a heart attack. If the person is conscious, ask if he or she is taking any medication. Many people who suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, epilepsy, or diabetes wear an identification bracelet or carry a card. This bracelet or card contains information about the disease and instructions to follow if the bearer suddenly becomes ill. If the victim is unconscious, search for this type of information. Keep in mind that a heart attack can occur with little or no warning, even in apparently healthy people.
If someone you work with displays any symptoms of a heart attack, have the victim sit or lie down comfortably. Send someone to call for professional emergency medical assistance and instruct him or her to give complete directions to your location. Do not drive the victim to the hospital yourself. Transportation places considerable strain on the victim — leave this to the professionals. Additionally, if the victim’s heart should stop, there is no room in the car to give CPR. If the information is available to you, you may wish to notify the victim’s own doctor.
If the person is not breathing and has no pulse, he or she may need help before the paramedics arrive. Do not attempt to administer CPR without training or instruction. If you are trained to administer CPR, proceed according to your training. If not, send someone to locate the person on your jobsite who is qualified to do so.
Remember that you can reduce the risk of a heart attack by exercising regularly, controlling your weight, reducing saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet, and by controlling high blood pressure. Last, but not least — stop smoking. Cigarette smokers have a greater risk of dying from a variety of diseases than nonsmokers, and they have more than twice the risk of heart attack and two to four times the risk of sudden cardiac death.
Date______________ Company______________________________ JobName/No._________________________
Topics Pertaining To Your Project ________________________________________________________________
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Employee Safety Recommendations ___________________________________________________________
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Meeting Attended By: Please sign your name and date.
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These instructions do not supersede local, state, or federal regulations.
Supervisor’s Signature ______________________________________________________________________
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