Sometimes accidents just happen. Somebody comes to visit your school and they get hurt. Here are few things for your front desk folks to keep in mind when that person comes limping into their office. Make a copy of this blog and post it at your front desk today!
- GET MEDICAL CARE: Making sure the person is OK and getting medical care is our first priority. Not every accident requires an ambulance, sometimes just a place to sit down and maybe a Band-Aid is all this needed but if the severity of their injury is obvious dial 911 immediately DO NOT WAIT FOR THEIR PERMISSION TO CALL. If the person is hesitant to accept medical care encourage them to wait until the ambulance arrives and they speak with medical personnel. Our first priority is to make sure they are O.K. and get the care they need. Offer to make a call to a friend or loved one if they wish and notify them of the person’s status (Your dad fell today and wanted us to call you and let you know he is being taken to Lancaster General Hospital. He should be there in a few minutes).
- GATHER INFORMATION: Get as much information about them as you can. At a minimum be sure to get their name and phone number so we can follow up later. Ask basic questions like “what happened?” . Most importantly LISTEN. And as soon as you can write down what you heard.
- HANDLE THE HAZARD: If the accident occurred because of an obvious hazard take steps to have it corrected and block off the affected area until it is corrected. For example: A person reports that they have slipped on ice at the front door and hurt themselves. As soon as possible have someone clear the ice and at a minimum block off the icy area so others don’t hurt themselves (move chairs, trashcans or other items to redirect people around the hazard)
- NOTIFY YOUR SUPERVISOR: Report the incident to your supervisor. Be sure your supervisor is aware of what happened and what action was taken.
- NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATION: Notify INSERT NAME AND EMAIL so insurance paperwork can be filed and a review of the accident can be conducted to reduce the chances of it occurring again.
Hope this helps! This is John Baker for www.safetysolutions4schools.com. Give us a call if you wish to talk about this or other safety and security issues related to your organization.
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