First Aid for Tradesmen: Treating Common Site Injuries

You Will Get Hurt at Some Point

If you work in construction or trades long enough, you'll get injured. Cuts, burns, impacts, strains - they come with the territory. Knowing basic first aid means minor injuries stay minor, and serious ones get proper treatment fast.

The Kit You Need

Minimum first aid kit for your van:

• Assorted plasters (waterproof and fabric)
• Sterile dressings (medium and large)
• Bandages (crepe and triangular)
• Sterile eye wash
• Medical tape
• Disposable gloves
• Antiseptic wipes
• Scissors and tweezers
• Burn gel sachets
• Pain relief (paracetamol, ibuprofen)

Check it monthly. Replace anything used or expired.

Cuts and Lacerations

Most common injury on site. Your hand tools and materials are sharp.

For minor cuts:

1. Clean the wound with running water
2. Apply pressure with clean dressing to stop bleeding
3. Apply antiseptic
4. Cover with appropriate plaster
5. Keep it clean and dry

When to get medical help:

• Bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes of pressure
• Cut is deep or gaping
• Wound contains debris you can't remove
• Cut is over a joint
• Any numbness or loss of movement
• Signs of infection (increasing pain, redness, swelling, pus)

Tetanus: Make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. Dirty wounds from rusty metal are high risk.

Burns

From hot pipes, sparks, friction, sun, or chemical contact.

For minor burns:

1. Cool under running water for at least 20 minutes
2. Remove jewellery before swelling starts
3. Cover with cling film or sterile dressing
4. Don't burst blisters
5. Pain relief if needed

Never:

• Apply ice directly
• Apply butter, toothpaste, or other "remedies"
• Remove clothing stuck to burn
• Burst blisters

Seek medical help if:

• Burn is larger than the palm of their hand
• On face, hands, feet, genitals, or over joints
• Deep burn (charred or white skin)
• Chemical or electrical burn

Eye Injuries

Even with safety glasses, stuff gets in eyes.

For debris in eye:

1. Don't rub
2. Flush with clean water or eye wash
3. Let tears do their job
4. If not improving, seek medical help

For chemical splash:

1. Flush immediately with water - 20+ minutes
2. Hold eyelids open while flushing
3. Remove contact lenses if present
4. Go to A&E - take chemical container/label if possible

For impact or penetrating injury:

1. Don't try to remove embedded objects
2. Cover with eye shield (not pressure pad)
3. Go to A&E immediately

Strains and Sprains

Lifting, twisting, awkward positions - trades work is hard on the body.

RICE protocol:

• Rest - stop using the injured area
• Ice - cold pack for 15-20 minutes every few hours (not directly on skin)
• Compression - elastic bandage, not too tight
• Elevation - raise above heart level if possible

When to seek help:

• Can't bear weight or use the limb
• Significant swelling or deformity
• Numbness or severe pain
• Not improving after a few days

Splinters and Embedded Objects

Wood, metal, glass - they get into skin.

For superficial splinters:

1. Clean area and tweezers with antiseptic
2. Pull out in the direction it went in
3. Clean wound and cover

For deep or large objects:

• Don't remove - could cause more damage
• Immobilise the object if possible
• Seek medical help

When to Call 999

Don't hesitate if:

• Heavy bleeding that won't stop
• Suspected broken bones
• Electric shock (all cases)
• Falls from height
• Chest pain or breathing difficulty
• Loss of consciousness
• Serious burns
• Severe allergic reaction

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

The best first aid is not needing it:

• Use PPE properly
• Keep tools (DeWalt, Makita, etc.) in good condition
• Work within your physical limits
• Don't rush - most injuries happen when rushing
• Keep work areas tidy

The Bottom Line

Carry a first aid kit. Know how to use it. Know when injuries need professional treatment. Minor injuries treated properly stay minor. Ignored or mistreated injuries become serious.

Consider taking a proper first aid course - it's one day that could save a life, including your own.