A fire, an accident or a sudden illness at work calls for quick and calm action. This lesson shows how to behave and what happens after an accident.
Fire
The fire triangle: a fire needs combustible material, oxygen and a source of ignition. Remove one of these elements and the fire goes out.
You are bound by rules arising from the Fire Protection Act (ustawa o ochronie przeciwpożarowej) and the workplace's fire instruction:
- know the escape routes, exits and assembly point,
- do not block escape routes, fire doors, hydrants and extinguishers,
- store flammable substances in designated places,
- do not use damaged cables or extension leads, and do not overload sockets,
- smoke only where it is allowed. Hot work (welding, cutting) only under the workplace's rules.
When a fire breaks out
Keep to the order: alert, rescue, extinguish if it is safe.
- Alert people nearby and call 112 or 998 (fire brigade). Give the address, what is burning and whether anyone is injured.
- Rescue people in danger, as long as you can do so without risk.
- Extinguish it at the start with an extinguisher if the fire is small, you have your escape route behind you and you know how to use it.
- If the fire grows, evacuate following the signs. Close the door behind you (this slows the spread).
- Do not use lifts. In smoke, move low.
Do not use water on equipment under voltage or on burning oil. For these, use extinguishers suited to the type of fire (for example powder or CO₂).
An accident at work
When an accident happens:
- Make the area safe and remove the source of danger (for example switch off the machine or the power).
- Give first aid to the injured person and, if needed, call for help (112).
- Notify your supervisor without delay (Article 211 of the Labour Code).
- Do not alter the scene of the accident unless it is necessary to save people. The employer secures it until the circumstances are established.
The employer establishes the circumstances and causes of the accident, documents them and applies preventive measures. The injured person may claim benefits from accident insurance (the Act of 30 October 2002 on social insurance for accidents at work and occupational diseases). Also report near misses, that is, situations in which only by luck nobody was hurt.
First aid
The employer provides the means to give first aid and designates employees to give it (Article 209¹ of the Labour Code). Everyone must know the basics:
- Safety: first check that neither you nor the casualty is in danger.
- No response: call 112 at once (preferably on speaker) and check breathing during the call. If the casualty is not breathing normally, ask for an AED defibrillator and start resuscitation: 30 compressions at the centre of the chest to a depth of about 5–6 cm, then 2 breaths, at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. If you cannot or do not want to give breaths, do compressions only.
- Bleeding: press firmly on the wound with a clean dressing and do not remove it.
- Burn: cool with cool running water for about 20 minutes, do not apply grease, cover with a sterile dressing.
- Electric shock: first switch off the power. Do not touch the casualty while they are still live.
- Chemicals in the eyes: rinse with plenty of water and use the safety data sheet.
Key points
- Fire: alert, rescue, extinguish if it is safe. Numbers: 112, 998.
- Accident: make the area safe, give help, notify your supervisor.
- Adult resuscitation: 30 compressions and 2 breaths, call 112 and get an AED.