An essential part of EMS workplace safety is ensuring everyone has access to the right protective equipment. From the workers’ emergency supply provider to ensuring everyone stays safe when riding in the ambulance in an emergency, these are the ways hospitals can improve EMS workplace safety.
Providers
Traditionally, EMTs and paramedics needed to remain prepared when entering a scene but flee if the situation becomes too unsafe. More often now, EMS must stay on the scene even if things turn out unsafe, but they enter with law enforcement.
To keep others safe and ensure paramedics make it to victims without being harmed, law enforcement officials train alongside EMS workers to strategically get through a place. That way, there’s no delay in rescue. Throughout the training, EMTs and paramedics use body armor—like law enforcement’s—to protect themselves and have extra supplies to treat a patient right away.
Equipment
In any branch of law enforcement, EMS, or firefighting, workers need equipment for every type of emergency rescue. The main reason for better gear is the many types of emergencies workers encounters. As an example, let’s look at car accidents.
In a car accident, officers put up roadblocks to prevent others, besides EMS workers, from entering—this is all for safety purposes. When on the scene, EMS workers need to have the tools to fit the situation. Workers need EMS supplies like stretchers and appropriate footwear to easily navigate rough terrain and safely transport patients.
Ambulances
On the trip to the hospital, the ambulance is potentially an unsafe place to be. The reason it’s so dangerous is that workers need to weave through traffic to transport patients and passengers to the hospital safely.
In case of a crash, the beds in ambulances meet current safety standards. Stretchers need a fastening system that clamps the cot in place so it doesn’t fall out if a crash happens.
EMS needs to have better strategies for maintaining workplace safety. So to keep others safe, these sections guide workers to find ways to improve EMS workplace safety for all workers. At the next team meeting, strategize and find solutions to fixing safety issues.
