Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Peter MacDonald
I've had an injury on site to one of my operatives and the client wishes to classify it for their stats. The injury is a cut to the head. Under OSHA if the IP had received a bandage, paper stitches or a band aid then it is defined as first aid (FA). If however any sutures or stitches are received to close the wound it is classified as a medical treatment injury (MTI). The IP received a "glue" to the wound to aid healing but not to actually close the wound.
The client uses OSHA to compile it's stats but the application of glue is not mentioned specifically.
Is this an MTI or a FA. Can anyone tell me definitively and back it up.
By the way, the IP is fine and back to work. Unfortunately I'm now working to minimise the damage commercially. Hence being so picky about how this is represented.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Hilary Charlton
I tend to hum and har over this one as well as I have reporting functions under OSHA.
I guess I would err on the side of not reporting as the pain is considerably less for you this way. As long as the IP is fine and glue is not mentioned anywhere then you should treat it as a butterfly on the grounds that it does the same job as a butterfly or steristrips and is usually used in conjunction with these items, whereas stitches are definitely not.
I don't know whether this is the right answer or not - I would go with this and then plead total ignorance if it was wrong!
Hilary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Sean Fraser
I just think this is an excellent example of why reporting systems often create more problems than they solve.
Fact is, the IP recieved a wound that required attention, but was able to return to work. A record of the incident is held, the cause (presumably) determined and probably action has been taken as a result to prevent recurrence.
All the right things have been done - Ip is thankfully OK now, operations can continue without further disruption and lessons have been learned. So why does the stupid reporting system now create significant discomfort for something as relatively inconsequential as reporting it??
I don't have dealings with OSHA (may the stars be praised) but my advice would be similar if it were relating to RIDDOR - if there is someone from OSHA you can contact, ask them and let them make the call. After all, you aren't hiding anything, simply seeking clarification.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gillian Henderson
Peter - I have been working with OSHA for a few years now so hopefully I can give you my persepective. A First Aid Injury is a work-related injury that requires one-time treatment and subsequent observation and does not result in a DAFWC. There are a 14 very specific first aid treatments - use of any other treatment not listed needs to be reported as Medical Treatment.
There is a very fine beteween FAI and MT and it is important to remember that when a person seeks medical attention for an injury the doctor/nurse will treat that person based on the signs and symptoms presented and not according to injury classifications. This can be something as simple as giving someone prescriptive medication vs over-the counter medication.
Don't get bogged down in injury classifications - a good investigation and sharing of lessons learned (using root cause analysis) should prevent the incident from happening again which is where the value of reporting these incidents lies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Peter MacDonald
Thanks to those above.
First, let me clarify this. the fact I'm spending time on this annoys me. The client is obsessed with classification and I refuse to get hung out to dry if I can define between between FA and MTI. It make no difference to the IP how it's classified as it hurt and that's that. The site is stat's driven for whatever reason and the sanctions that may be applied to us differ greatly depending on the classification. In my mind it's wrong but there you go.
Thanks to Sean who suggested going to OSHA. There is an interpretations section on the OSHA web that specifically deals with the question. A liquid type bandage is first aid.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Heather Aston
Peter
Remember "The client is always right, especially when they're wrong"
Heather
"Don't underestimate the power of chocolate"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Steve Conway
How it is defined in OSHA's standard may provide the solution:
"Using wound coverings such as bandages, Band-Aids™, gauze pads, etc.; or using butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips™ (other wound closing devices such as sutures, staples, etc., are considered medical treatment)"
Glue is a material rather than a "device", hence it should be classed as first aid.
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.