First Aid and OSHA…
What Gives?
Physical Therapists practice in all kinds of settings. The most common are hospitals, outpatient clinics and rehab facilities, but did you know that PT’s can be beneficial in the workplace?
On-Site Solutions Physical Therapy practices solely on the job site meeting employees where they are at. Many musculoskeletal injuries can be addressed early on by a Physical Therapist that would not need to be recorded. How is that possible? Physical Therapists can intervene on the job site under OSHA first aid guidelines. These guidelines state that “first aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after an injury occurs and at the locations where it occurred. It often consists of a one-time, short-term treatment and requires little technology or training to administer.” There is a lot of value in having a physical therapist on the job site to get ahead of any musculoskeletal aches and pains.
What can Physical Therapists (PT’s) do to stay within OSHA first aid guidelines and bring value to the workplace?
- PT’s can provide soft tissue massage for work related injuries in work settings. Massage is considered first aid even when being applied by a medical professional.
- PT’s can make recommendations for heat and cold therapy. Should you heat? Or ice? Ask your physical therapist and they can give you recommendations for pain relief.
- PT’s can provide education on body positioning and movements to adjust posture to prevent future injury. We know that posture plays a major role in preventing injuries and physical therapists are the musculoskeletal experts.
- PT’s can provide any non-rigid means of support such as elastic bandages, wraps etc. This means that any brace that has rigid plastic would be a recordable injury.
- PT’s may provide preventative exercises and stretches that are part of general safe work practices. For example, a physical therapist can recommend counteracting stretches to a truck driver who sits most of the day to prevent tightness.
