Safety of Miners & First Aid Kit

(For Local Miners)

Prepared by:
Najmuddin Ali Khan (Junior Engineer, NESPAK)
Khawar Jamil (Junior Engineer, ACE)

FIRST AID
IMPORTANCE OF FIRST AID:
MINING is inherently dangerous and potentially life threatening.it is imperative that
someone has the experience in first aid on the mine site at all times the mine is in operation.
This person should know how to examine an injured person to tell whether or not the injured
person should be taken to hospital. They should also know how to stop bleeding and treat for
shock. In small operation i.e. gem mining; where there are 2 or 3 miners, they all should be the
First Aider.
This cover only the accidents related to the mining industry, i.e. broken bones, bleeding,
shock etc and will not cover topics such as environmental emergencies like hypothermia, heat
stroke, seizures, stokes, heart attacks, burns, or CPR.
Basic procedure when you come upon a scene of an accident:
1. Check for safety
You (and bystanders) do not want to become another victim.
Observe the scene, make sure you and the injured are not exposed to further
danger.
Do not move the injured unless absolutely necessary
2. Body Substance Isolation Precautions
Determine and done the proper safety equipments, i.e latex gloves, mask,
goggles.
Remember; blood and all body fluids of all persons should be regarded as
potentially infectious.
The infectious fluids can enter a body through the nose, eyes, mouth and any
cuts in the skin.
3. Cause of an accident (Mechanism of Injury)
If a road accident then the injuries will be consistent with a vehicle accident, if a
mining accident then the injuries will be consistent with mining accident.
Consider what the witnesses tell you
What you observe from the injured person
What the injured person can tell you if he is conscious.
4. Determine the number of patients
Organize the bystanders to help with patient assessment.
During initial assessment avoid unnecessary movement or rough handling of
patient because it might aggravate undetected fractures or spinal injuries.
5. Initial assessment
Is the injured person conscious, if so, talk with him.
Is he bleeding, if so how; spurting, continuous flow or oozing.
Are there any bones sticking out of the skin or obvious broken bones?

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

3
Is the person breathing? if he is unconscious then watch his chest or place your
ear close to his nose and mouth and listen. Is his skin color blue or grey? If the
person is crying or talking, he is breathing.
Look for any type of abnormalities such as swelling, discoloration, lumps and
tenderness that might indicate a hidden injury.
The detail examination should include the head , neck ,chest, abdomen, pelvis,
arms, legs and back surfaces.
6. Determine the priority of patients
Life threatening conditions take first priority and treated in the following order;
Restore Breathing, Restore Circulation with CPR, Control Bleeding and then treat
for shock.
If the patient is not breathing then you have to begin artificial ventilation by mouth
to mouth or mouth to nose at once. Use a barrier such pocket face mask (it is
small and has a chimney with a one way value that allows your ventilations to
enter but prevents the patients exhaled air from coming back through the value
and into contact with you.

CONTROL OF BLEEDING:
Applying pressure directly to the wound is the best all around method of
controlling bleeding. The worst type of bleeding is spurting bright red blood. This indicates an
artery has been cut and the patient is in very serious trouble if the bleeding is not seriously
stopped. A continuous flow of blood that is dark in color means a nein has been cut and not
serious as the artery cut. Blood oozing from the wound means capillary damage.
Treatments for Controlling Bleeding:

Direct Pressure---Cover the wound with clean cloth or your gloved hand and apply direct
pressure on the wound. Most bleeding can be stopped this way.
Elevation---If the wound is on arm or leg and there is no fracture, then elevate the
extremity above heart level as you apply pressure.

INTERNAL BLEEDING:
Internal bleeding occurs within the body and cannot be seen.it can be minor or life
threatening.
Symptoms include;

Pale, cool and clammy skin

Profuse sweating
Rapid shallow breathing
Weak and rapid pulse
Dull eyes and enlarged pupils
Possible thirst
Nausea and vomiting
Pain in affected areas.

Treatment for Internal Bleeding

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

Treat patient for shock

Anticipate that the patient may vomit so give nothing by mouth
Get patient to professional medical help ASAP.

SHOCK:
Shock can accompany any serious injury: Blood loss, Breathing impairment, Heart failure,
burns, etc.
Shock can kill! Therefore, Treat ASAP and continue until medical aid is available.
Symptoms include;

Shallow breathing
Shivering
Rapid and weak pulse
Pale, moist skin
Nausea, collapse, vomiting
Mental confusion
Drooping eyelids, dilated pupils

TREATMENT FOR SHOCK:

Establish and maintain an open airway

Control bleeding
Keep patient lying down
Elevate foot of stretcher unless an injury will be aggravated by this position such as head
or chest injuries, heart attack, stroke, sun stroke. If there is no spinal injury, patient may
be more comfortable and breathe better in a semi reclining position. If in doubt keeps the
patient lying flat.
Place blankets under and over the patient
Do not give anything by mouth

BANDAGES AND DRESSINGS:

Never tie a tight bandage around the neck as it may cause strangulation
A bandage should be tight enough to prevent slipping but not so tight to cut off
circulation
Leave uninjured fingers and toes exposed and watch for swelling or changes of color
and coldness which signals poor circulation.
Loosen bandages immediately if patient complains numbness or a tingling sensation.
Once the dressing is in place, do not move it. If blood saturates the dressing, put another
on top of it.

WOUNDS:
An open wound is any break in the skin. A first aider caring for an open wound must
stop or control bleeding and prevent germs entering the wounds.

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

TREATMENT FOR WOUNDS:

Expose the wound by carefully cutting or tearing clothing so the injury can be seen
Wipe loose foreign particles away from wound
Control bleeding
Tie bandage compress or gauze over the wound.

FOR EMBEDDED OBJECTS:

Do not remove embedded objects

Cut clothing away from injured site
Stabilize the object with bulky dressings
If possible and if object is large, cut off enough of the object for transportation.
Cover all compresses or gauze dressings with outer bandage except dressings of
wounds of the eyes, nose , chin, one finger, one toe or compound fractures of the hand
and foot when splinted.
When eyes have been burned by chemicals ,then wash freely with clean water

SUCKING CHEST WOUNDS:

A sucking chest wound is air being sucked into the lungs through a hole in the chest.

TREATMENT:

Cover the wound with airtight material like plastic wrap, waxed paper, after the patient
has exhaled. If no airtight material is available, use your gloves hand.
Place the patient on the injured side to allow expansion room for the uninjured lung, if
there is no spinal injury.
Get the patient to the hospital as soon as possible.

PROTRUDING INTESTINES:
TREATMENT:

Treat for shock and ensure an open airway

Do not try to replace intestines
Flex uninjured legs at hips and knees to reduce tension of abdominal muscles
Apply sterile dressing that has been soaked in saline solution
Seal the edges of the dressing to prevent the loss of moisture from internal organs
Cover with a thick dressing to help prevent heat loss. Holds dressing in place with strips
of cloth

FOREIGN PARTICLES IN EYES:

Foreign particles frequently enter the
eye and lodge there. If not removed, they can
cause discomfort, inflammation and possibly
infection.

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

TREATMENT:

Never rub eyes

Try and flush out with clean water or use eye wash bottle of saline solution
If particle is on upper eyelid, life eyelid and remove particle with sterile gauze.
If foreign object is on eye and cannot be washed out, cover eye and take patient to a
doctor.

EMBEDDED OBJECTS IN THE EYES:

TREATMENT:

Leave objects in the eye, only doctor should remove it

Place sterile gauze around the eye, apply no pressure
Cover both eyes, because one eye cannot move without the other moving

MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES:
The musculoskeletal system is composed of all the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments
and cartilages in the body. The musculoskeletal system is subject to injury from sprains, strains,
fractures, and dislocations. Since these injuries present basically the same symptoms, treat all
injuries to the bones and joint as fractures. The usual sign of strain, sprain, fracture or
dislocation will be pain, therefore, you should keep the patient at rest, not moving any part of the
body.
Musculoskeletal injuries are classified as closed, painful, swollen, deformed extremities
(skin not broken) or open, painful, swollen, deformed extremities (skin is broken).
Symptoms

Pain
Swelling
Deformity

TREATMENT:

Immobilize suspected fracture

Handle as gentle as possible---one person to immobilize the limb and one to apply the
splint
Do not attempt to straighten any painful, swollen, deformed extremity. Splint in the
position found. Move injured extremities as little as possible to avoid damage to exposed
nerves, blood vessels and surrounding tissues
Splints:
Splints should be long enough to support joints above and below suspected fractures
Splints should be rigid enough to support suspected fracture
Pad improvised splints to ensure even contact and pressure between the limb and the
splint, and protect all body prominences.
Types of splints --- air splints, padded boards, rolled blanket, tools, newspapers,
magazines ,etc

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

Handle the affected area as gently as possible

Place the padded splint under, above alongside the limb
Tie the limb and splint together with bandaging materials so the two are held firmly
together. Make sure the bandaging material is not so tight that it impairs circulation.
leave uninjured fingers and toes exposed so the circulation can be checked constantly
Applying inflatable splints
Use inflatable splints to immobilize fractures of the lower leg or forearm

SKULL FRACTURES:
Consider a skull fractures serious because of possible injury to the brain. Injuries to the
back of the head are particularly dangerous because the skull may be fractured without a visible
wound on the scalp. A person with a skull fracture may also have an injury to the neck and
spine.

SYMPTOMS FOR SKULL FRACTURES:

Unconsciousness
Deformity of the skull
Open wound
Blood or clear water like fluid coming from the ear or nose
Pupils may be unequal in size; impaired vision
Partial or complete paralysis

SPINAL FRACTURE:
A spinal fracture is difficult to detect when a patient is unconscious. Treat all injuries to
the spinal columns, even when without signs of paralysis, as a fracture of spinal column.
SYMPTOMS FOR SPINAL FRACTURES: (CONSCIOUS PATIENT)

Ask if the patient can feel your touch to his feet

Ask if patient can wiggle toes
Ask if patient can press against your hand with his feet

SYMPTOMS FOR SPINAL FRACTURES:

Stroke the soles of the feet with a pointed object; if spinal cord is undamaged the feet
will react
Stroke the palms of the hands with a pointed object; if spinal cord is undamaged the
hands will react

TREATMENT FOR SKULL OR SPINAL FRACTURES:

Stabilize the head until the patient is secure to a splint, stretcher, flat surface
Use the modified jaw thrust to maintain an open airway
Use a blanket, padding, rolled up coats or other material around the head and neck to
prevent movement
Control serious bleeding

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

Use enough people to lift the patient safely in unison

Lift patient only high enough to slide the splint or stretcher underneath
Place patient on his back on the splint or stretcher
Secure the patient to the splint or stretcher in immobilize the entire the body
Cover with a blanket and treat for shock
Transport to a medical facility

RIB FRACTURE:
SYMPTOMS:

Severe pain with each breath

Tenderness over the fracture
Deformity at site of fracture
Inability to take deep breath

TREATMENT:

Apply thick padding over injured ribs

Apply two medium bandages around the chest firmly enough to afford support, centering
the bandages on either side of the injury
Tie the knots over the pad on the opposite side of the body
Support the arm on the injured side in a sling
Treat for shock

Note:
Ensure that the binding is not too tight, as fractured rib can puncture a lung. if a lung is
punctured, a frothy blood may come from the patient s mouth.

TRANSPORTATION:
After receiving first aid, an injured person often requires transportation to a medical
facility. On a mining site the patient must be transported to a place accessible to ambulance
personnel.it is the responsibility of the first aider to prevent any further injury, pain or discomfort.
Improper handling and careless transportation often add to the original injuries, increase shock
and endanger life.
Under normal circumstances, do not move the injured person until through examination
has been made and first aid has been given. Move a seriously injured person in a position that

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

9
is least likely to aggravate injuries. Various methods for carrying patient can be used in
emergencies, but a stretcher is the preferred method if transportation. When a stretcher is not
available or impractical, employ other means of transportation.
When a life of a person is in danger and the person must be pulled or dragged to safety,
pull the body by shoulders, not sideways. Avoid bending or twisting the neck. Carry in the arms,
over the back, use two person carry when you know that no injury will be aggravated by such
handling of the patient.

TWO PERSON SEAT CARRY:

The two person seat carry is a technique for transporting the patient in a seat
fashioned from the rescuers arms. Use this carry when moving the patient through narrow
passageways. Do not use this carry when the injury to the spinal column is suspected.

THREE - PERSON LIFT AND CARRY:

Use the three person lift and carry to move an injured person a short distance, through
a narrow passageway, or when the stretcher is not available. Also use this carry when an
injured person is placed on or removed from a stretcher.
Three persons are required for this lift and a fourth is desirable. A fourth person to hold
the head is necessary if a spinal injury is suspected. Proper lifting must be done by commands
of a leader, usually the bearer the patients head.

PROCEDURE:

Each of the three bearers kneel on the knee nearest to the patients feet and on the
least injured side if possible
One bearer ,opposite the patients shoulder, supports the patients neck and shoulders
Another bearer, opposite the patients hips, support the patients thighs and small of the
back
The third bearer ,opposite the patients knees, support the patients knees and ankles
On command, the bearer slowly lift the patient to rest on their knees
On command, the bearers slowly turn the patient on his side so the patient rests in the
bend of their elbows close to their chest
On command, all the bearers raise in unison
The bearers can then, when commanded move the patient

FOUR PERSON LOG ROLL:

This technique is used for moving a patient with spinal injuries requiring four
persons, one to act as captain.to perform the four person log roll, proceed as follows.

One rescuer, who acts as a captain, stabilizes the neck and head as he opens the
airway using the modified jaw thrust maneuver. Another rescuer places a spine board
parallel to the patient.
Three rescuers, one rescuer at the shoulders, another at the waist and the last at the
knees, kneel down at the patients side opposite the spine board, leaving room to roll the
patient toward them while the captain keeps the neck and head stabilized

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

10

The captain commands the shoulder level rescuer to extend the patients arm over the
head on the side on which patient will be rolled
The rescuer at the shoulder places one hand under the patients shoulder and the other
hand under the patients upper arm
The rescuer at the waist places one hand on the patients waist and the other hand
under the patients buttocks
The rescuer at the knees places one hand under the patients knees and the other hand
under the mid-calf
On command, the four rescuers roll the patient in unison on the side towards the
rescuers
On command, the waist level rescuer or bystander pull the spine board into position
against the patient
On command, roll patient as a unit onto the spine board. Place rolled blankets beside
the head and neck for additional protection and secure the head to the board with strips
of cloth or bandages
Secure the patient to the split or stretcher so the entire body is immobilized

STRADDLE SLIDE:
Another technique for moving a patient with a spinal injury onto a long board is
with straddle slide. Three persons handle the patient and the fourth person slides the board into
place.to perform the straddle slide, proceed as follows

One rescuer maintains an open airway with the modified jaw thrust and applies traction
The second rescuer faces and straddles the patient. Bending at the waist, rescuer grips
the patients arms, just below the shoulders
A third rescuer also faces and straddles the patient. Bending at the waist, the rescuer
places his hands on the sides of the patients waist. The long board must pass between
the legs of three rescuers
The fourth rescuer position the board at the patients head in line with patients body
On a signal from the commanding rescuer, the rescuers lift the patient just high enough
to allow the fourth rescuer to slide the board under the patient
On command, the rescuers gently lower the patient onto the board. Support is
maintained until the patient is secured to the board and blankets have been place on him

Three persons lift & carry

Four Persons log roll

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

Straddle slide

11

STRETCHERS:
There are many types of stretchers; you can even make one from hardwood sticks
and a blanket. Test the stretcher before placing a patient on it. Use a person of about the
same weight as the patient. That person faces down the stretcher so, if the stretcher breaks
or tears when it is picked up, the person can catch himself.

FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS:

A general First Aid Kit for a mining operation should include the following:
Ace bandages

Cotton wool

Scissors

Antibiotics tablets, different types

Gauze bandages

Q-tips

Alcohol

Antihistamine ointment

Sterilized dressing pads in different sizes

Safety pins

Tweezers

Antihistamine tablets

Cloth strips for splints, securing patients etc

Pain killer/fever reducer tablets

Disinfectant solution

Saline solution for eye wash

Surgical tape

Ear drops

Antiseptic solution

Antibiotic ointment

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMNENT:

Safety has utmost importance in mining. Safety First always be followed at site. Most
small-scale mines are working under marginal economic conditions. Exaggerated safety
requirements tend to discourage miners, leading them to simply ignore all safety advices. For
better implementation of artisanal mining the miners must be aware of the risks of rock fall,
access, snow and hard weather condition to avoid any mishap and incident.
The major health risks in artisanal mining and processing are

Exposure to dust (silicosis)

Exposure to mercury and other chemicals

Effects of noise and vibration

Effects of poor ventilation (heat, humidity, lack of oxygen)

Effects of over-exertion, inadequate work space and inappropriate equipment.

Access, rock fall and harsh weather condition.

However an artisanal miner must at least use the following safety kits for safe mining

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

12

GOGGLES:
Miners must use goggles or safety to enclose or protect the area surrounding the eye in order to
prevent particles, water or chemicals from striking the eyes.

HARD HAT/HELMET:
Miners must use Hard Hat at mining sites to protect the head from injury due to falling objects,
impact with other objects, debris, rain, and electric shock.

MASKS:
To avoid harmful gases during mining the miner must use safety masks. Otherwise it will cause
respiratory diseases.

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

13

HAND PROTECTION:
Using hand tools for artisanal mining can cause hand/skin damage. It is the responsibility of
miner to use proper safety gears for protection of hands.

EAR MUFFS/EAR PLUGS:

Ear muffs must be used during blasting and drilling to protect ears from damaging
damagin noise levels.

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

14

FOOT PROTECTION:
Safety/Gum boots must be used during mining operations to avoid any damage to feet.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING/DRESS CODE:

Loose dress will not be allowed during mining activities. It increases the risk of incident during
movement.

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING

15

SKIN PROTECTION:
To avoid occupational skin diseases miners must avoid him from

Physical agents such as extreme temperatures and ultraviolet or solar radiation can be
damaging to the skin over prolonged exposure.
Mechanical trauma occurs in the form of friction, pressure, abrasions, lacerations and
contusions.
Biological agents such as parasites, microorganisms, plants and animals can have
varied effects when exposed to the skin.

SAFETY OF MINERS & FIRST AID TRAINING