First Aid: Falls From Height, Spinal Injuries and Manual In-line Stabilisation

Every day in the UK 2-3 people will suffer spinal cord injuries. While some of these are caused by non-traumatic causes, the majority are caused by road traffic incidents, falls or sporting activities. Falls from height are one of the most prevalent causes of work-related injuries and deaths, responsible for over 20% of deaths in […]

First Aid: Asthma

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It causes the airways to narrow and swell and they may produce extra mucus making breathing difficult. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults. What Causes Asthma? Contact with […]

First Aid: Adaptations for Pregnancy

First aid is not always a one-size-fits-all approach – there are some circumstances which call for an adjustment in the way first aid is administered. Due to the associated anatomical and physiological changes, pregnancy is one such example where some changes should be made. Pregnancy can also cause rescuers to hesitate to administer first aid […]

First Aid: Poisoning

With the build up to the festive period, and the potential for overindulgence that comes with it, we thought now would be a fitting time to touch on the subject of poisoning. Put simply, poisoning is where a person is exposed to a substance that can damage their health or endanger their life – whether that […]

First Aid: Head Injuries and Concussion

Prominent in the news recently are the stories of several former elite level rugby players suing the RFU for brain damage following repeated concussions from playing the sport. Most notably Steve Thompson, a member of the World Cup Winning Squad in 2003, who says he cannot remember any of the games he played in. A […]

Week Commencing 08/11/2021 – In The News

Impact of climate change on workers’ health and safety With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in full swing, SHP looks at the importance of the event on a global scale, while also focusing on how the effects of climate change are seeping into the workplace, exploring what businesses can do to safeguard staff and […]

First Aid: Angina

Way back in July, we explored Heart Attacks and their signs and symptoms. On a similar vein is Angina Pectoris, more commonly known as Angina. Angina occurs when the heart does not get as much blood as it needs, usually because one of the hearts arteries is narrowed or blocked. Types of Angina There are […]

Week Commencing 18/10/21 – In The News

How to become a ‘walrus detective’ as WWF calls for public to help with conservation research The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is looking for members of the public to become “walrus detectives” in a bid to help researchers understand more about the population of Atlantic and Laptev walruses. With the climate crisis impacting […]

Heat Exhaustion – The Effects of Heat Stress and How to Treat Them

Thermometer showing 40 degrees Celsius

Heat stress, whether it be due to working during the summer months or in an environment that is hot year-round, can put employees at risk of heat exhaustion and, more seriously, heatstroke.  HSE guidance leaflet INDG451 states that heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. Air temperature, […]

First Aid: Heart Attacks

What is a Heart Attack? A heart attack is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of the blood to the heart is suddenly blocked. This lack of blood may seriously damage the heart muscle and can be life threatening. Over time fat, cholesterol and other substances build up and form a plaque in […]