Crush Injuries in Construction
Crush injuries are common in collisions, falls and in other situations where an injury is caused because of a structure collapsing.
Nature of Injury from a crushing incident
- There are varying degrees of crush injuries, from slamming a finger in a door to limbs being trapped and crushed for an extended period. Depending on the severity of the crush injury, the symptoms will differ.
- Injuries can range from anything as minor as a sprained ankle to severe crushing injuries, depending on the nature of the call. We’ve had fractures, head injuries, facial trauma, severe lacerations, blunt force chest- and abdominal trauma etc.
- For a minor injury, there can be bruising, lacerations and moderate pain. However, the recovery time is significantly shorter than a major crush injury, as is the degree of the symptoms.
- A crush injury will often cut off the flow of blood in the damaged appendage, leading to serious muscle and tissue damage, as well as numbness and possible paralysis.
- In the case of a major crush injury, there is often serious damage below the skin, including tissues, organs, muscles and bones.
- These injuries are often significant as they involve significant force that is transferred on the victim and then it is possible that the victim, becomes entrapped by what fell on them.
- Injuries we expect are injuries associated with blunt force trauma, which causes damage to the bodies internal organs and structures.
- There can also be fractures. cuts and lacerations do occur but most of the trauma is internal and is not obvious to people without medical training. (i.e. ruptured internal organs, collapsed lung, internal bleeding, closed fractures).
- If the person is entrapped or pinned down by the object (this is often the case with large objects) it then often requires the use of rescue tools to free the person.
- The extrication needs to be done in a controlled matter, while paramedics constantly treat and reassess the patient. The object can’t simply be lifted off quickly.
- There is also often difficulty in breathing due to an object falling on the chest, which is generally the biggest part of your body.
What are the first steps to be taken by bystanders?
- Safety First!!
- Focus on safety of the scene and remember own safety first.
- This is especially important with falling objects and industrial incidents.
- Keep in mind the risk that someone still in the area could be injured.
- Properly assess the situation and then call for help in the form of ambulances, rescue etc
- Accurate information for these types of calls is critical as specialist equipment might be needed in some cases that are not normally dispatched as a first- turnout.
What should bystanders NOT be doing?
- Don’t Panic! This creates a tense situation for all and especially the patient that is already under a lot of stress.
- Do not act instinctively, trying to be a hero and doing more harm than good in the end.
- Never put your own life at risk. Rather call for help immediately.
- Do NOT enter an area that is not safe.
- Do NOT unnecessarily move the patient. First aiders should be wary of moving a patient if he is trapped beneath a heavy object.
- If the object is unstable, moving it could apply more weight to the patient or injure the patient further. If you are unsure, calling an emergency service for further advice is always a good call.
