Snell - First Aid Guides - Snell Packaging & Safety

Throughout life, you will be faced with many types of injuries – whether it is a simple paper cut or a severe chemical burn, every accident must be dealt with in the right way.

It's essential to know what to do when faced with a situation that may depend on your actions to save a life.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Name	Description
Bruise	Bleeding that occurs under the skin causes discoloration, swelling. The area begins as red but may turn into a "black and blue mark."
Cut	A cut is a split in the skin caused by a sharp object, such as a knife, or even a dull object. A cut can have either a jagged or smooth edge.
Puncture	A puncture wound is caused when the skin is pierced by a sharp object. Included in this category are gunshot wounds, impaled objects, and an object that passes totally through a part of the body.
Scrape	A scrape is very common, and occurs when skin is rubbed or scraped away.

Open Wounds
Note: When blood is present, always wear disposable gloves.

General Care

Caring for a cut
1. Apply direct pressure with a clean, lint-free absorbent dressing or your hand if one is not available.
2. If the dressing becomes blood soaked, apply a second dressing on top of it.
3. Once bleeding stops, clean the wound gently with tepid water. It is very important to get all debris or dirt out as it may cause an infection.
4. Apply a dressing that won't stick to the injured area itself but provides protection to it. For example a dressing may be secured with tape or an adhesive dressing with a padded centre may be used.
Caring for a large cut or laceration
1. Dial 111 for assistance.
2. Cover the wound with a clean, lint-free, absorbent dressing. Apply direct pressure for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Elevate the affected area above the level of the heart.
4. If the dressing becomes blood soaked, apply a second dressing on top of it. (Do not remove the first dressing).
5. If unable to stop bleeding, apply pressure at closest pulse point between wound and heart, e.g. at the groin or upper arm, depending on injury site.
6. Seek medical advice for assessment of the wound.
General Care: Cool, Clear Cover

Gerenal Care: Cool, Clear Cover

Thermal burn

1. Stop the burning. Put out flames or remove the victim from the source of the burn.

2. Cool the burn with large amounts of cool running water for approximately 20 minutes.

3. After cooling, cover the burn with a clean, non-linting dressing or cling film and do not apply pressure. Bandage loosely and seek medical advice.

N.B. When a serious burn has occurred, shock may be present.

4. For minor burns, cool the burned area with cool running water. After cooling, a burn gel may be applied. Cover the wound with a non-adherent dressing and secure with tape or bandage loosely.

Chemical Burn, e.g. Acid or solvent is split onto exposed skin

1. Call an ambulance (DIAL 111) for medical assistance in any case of a chemical burn.

2. Flush area immediately. Remove any chemical contaminated clothing and continue to flush the affected area with large amounts of cool running water until the ambulance arrives.

Electrical Burn, eg. Electric shock from equipment being used

1. Call an ambulance in any case of an electrical burn.

2. Do not go near the victim unless you are sure the power source has been turned off.

3. If the victim is unconscious, check airway, breathing and circulation. Check for other injuries, and do not move the victim because he or she may have spinal injuries.

4. Cover an electrical burn with a dry, sterile dressing. Do not cool the burn.

5. Prevent the victim from getting chilled.

6. There may be two wounds, one where the current entered the body and one where it left, and they may be deep.

7. Electrical burns can be caused by power lines, lightning, defective electrical equipment, and unprotected electrical outlets.

Solar Radiation Burn, eg. You fall asleep in the sun and get very sunburnt

1. Burns caused by solar radiation are usually red, painful and may
also blister.

2. Cool the burn. Burn specific products which contain Aloe Vera or
Solarcain are available to help reduce the pain of sunburn.

3. Protect the burn by staying out of the sun. If you must go out into the sun, wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply it frequently.

4. Be sure to cover up any existing sunburn with clothing if you are going to be outside again.
Bones

Bones

Types of Injuries

Open Fracture:

Fractures:When a wound is present at the fracture site, the bone may be visible.

Closed Fracture: When only the bone is broken.

Complicated Fracture: When only the bone is broken.

Dislocation: Occurs when bones are moved from their normal position. This often occurs at the shoulder, elbow and finger joints.

Soft tissue Injury (Sprains and Strains): Occurs when bones are moved from their normal position. This often occurs at the shoulder,

Treatment of soft tissue injuries can be remembered by RICE:

R        Rest the injured area.

I        Ice for 20 minutes at 3-4 hour intervals.

C        Compression bandage may be applied to the injury for support.

E        Elevate the affected area.

1. Do not try to move a patient with a severely broken bone unless it is absolutely necessary.

2. Calling an ambulance (DIAL 111) is the best course of action in this case.

3. However, if you must move the patient you must immobilise the injured body part. Attempt to splint the fracture in the position you found it.

4. Splint the injured area and the joints above and below the fracture. You may use another body part, such as leg to leg or arm to chest; this is
called an anatomic splint.
Head and Spines Injury
Head and Spines Injury
These include:
- Changes in consciousness;
- Tingling or loss of sensation in hands, fingers, feet or toes;
- Vision and breathing problems;
- Blood in the ears or nose;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Seizures, severe pain, pressure or bleeding in the head, neck or back;
- Inability to move a body part;
- Bruising of the head; and loss of balance.
- Steady headache
Always Call An Ambulance If:

the victim has sustained injuries to the head, neck or back

the victim is having trouble breathing

the victim is unable to move or use the injured body part without experiencing pain

the injury appears to be a severely broken bone

If you think the victim may have a head or spine injury, DO NOT move him or her. Emergency services will be able to move and
treat the patient without causing further injury.
First Aid Training

Are you prepared?

Do you know the ABC of CPR?

Would you know what to do if you were the first person on the scene?

Don't panic, First Aid Training is available. The techniques you learn will be invaluable to you at work or home. You never know
when you may be faced with a situation that requires first aid, and your co-workers and perhaps even family members may have
you to thank for knowing what to do.

It's important to be prepared; it may mean the difference between life and death during a natural disaster, car accident,
workplace mishap or even a fall in your own home.
There are many organisations within New Zealand offering training and refresher courses for Workplace First Aid, Basic CPR
and related courses.

(Course providers and First Aid courses should be recognised either by NZQA, OSH or the Ministry of Education and there are
flexible options to suit most schedules.)
Don't wait any longer; make sure that you're prepared. You could make a difference to someone in need.
Sun Protection
Sun Protection
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in this country. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. New Zealanders are particularly at risk of skin cancer because of our clear skies, our outdoor lifestyle and our close proximity to the sun.

Melanoma is caused by UV radiation damage to melanocytes (the cells that make melanin which is what creates a tan). Repeated exposure to UV can cause cancerous mutations in these melanocyte cells. So, the more you damage your skin and melanocytes, the more you increase the chance of getting skin cancer every time you tan.

Precautions you can take to protect yourself from the sun
- Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. If you work outside all day, take breaks indoors if possible, or in the shade.
- Use sunscreen lotion on your face, neck, hands, forearms and other unprotected areas of the skin. Be sure to choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater. The SPF will be listed on the label.
- Apply the sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside and every two hours thereafter – reapply more often if you are perspiring a lot.
- The sun's rays are the strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Be especially careful to protect your skin from exposure during those hours.
- Always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. When choosing sunglasses, look for a label that indicates they filter at least 90 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
- If you can't avoid being outdoors in the sun, wear a lightweight, tightly woven long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Light-coloured clothing is a good choice. Gloves are also a good idea. Be sure your clothes are not too tight.
- Wear a hat that shades your ears, face, temples and the back of your neck from the sun. These come in many styles. Among them are wide-brimmed hats, pith helmets, and straw hats with extra wide brims.
What is SPF and How Does It Work?

When you are unable to stay out of the sun, you should wear clothing to cover your skin and apply a sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15 to exposed skin. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 means you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than if you wore no sunscreen and achieve the same amount of colour.

The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is not an exact science. Dermatologists tell us an SPF of 8 provides about 40 percent protection from UV rays. An SPF of 15 jumps to 95 percent, and a 30 goes up to 97 percent. An SPF of 45 or greater offers no more than 1 percent additional protection than an SPF of 30, but increases the potential of skin irritation dramatically.

While most western societies consider a tan to be a sign of good health and an outdoor lifestyle, a tan is the skin's protective response to UV radiation – it actually means the damage has already started. And don't make the mistake of thinking it's only fair skinned and light haired people who are susceptible, there are increasing cases of darker pigmented skins developing skin cancers.

Applying a broad-spectrum SPF 15 moisturiser every morning is the best way to ensure you protect yourself wherever you go, and ensure your children are doing the same. Make it a habit, like brushing your teeth. Many people think they only need protection when they're gardening or playing sports.

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Soft Tissue Injuries

Open Wounds

General Care

Caring for a cut

Caring for a large cut or laceration

General Care: Cool, Clear Cover

Gerenal Care: Cool, Clear Cover

Thermal burn

Chemical Burn, e.g. Acid or solvent is split onto exposed skin

Solar Radiation Burn, eg. You fall asleep in the sun and get very sunburnt

Bones

Bones

Types of Injuries

Head and Spines Injury

Head and Spines Injury

These include:

Always Call An Ambulance If:

First Aid Training

Sun Protection

Sun Protection

What is SPF and How Does It Work?