Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 16
Grade code: 3.1.2.LI.4
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 3.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.1.2.LI.4
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
In any engineering environment, whether it is a large construction site in Tema, an auto-mechanic workshop in Suame Magazine, or a small electronics repair shop in Accra, accidents can and do happen. These accidents can range from minor cuts and burns to life-threatening events like electric shocks. Knowing how to provide immediate care, or "first aid," can prevent a situation from getting worse, reduce pain, and in some cases, save a life. This lesson moves beyond theory to give you the practical skills to be a responsible and helpful colleague or citizen when an accident occurs.
This section covers the essential knowledge you need to administer first aid effectively and safely. A. What is First Aid? First Aid is the immediate and temporary care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill before the arrival of a qualified medical professional (like a doctor or nurse). The person who provides this care is called a First Aider.
The key words are immediate and temporary. Your job is not to cure the person, but to help them until professional help arrives. B. The Aims of First Aid (The 3 Ps) There are three primary goals of first aid, which are easy to remember as the "3 Ps": Preserve Life: This is the most important aim. Your actions should be focused on saving the victim's life. This includes things like performing CPR if breathing stops or controlling severe bleeding. Prevent Worsening: Your actions should aim to stop the injury or illness from getting worse. For example, cooling a burn prevents it from damaging deeper layers of skin, and immobilising a broken limb prevents further injury to muscles and nerves. Promote Recovery: This involves actions that help the healing process. For example, cleaning a wound and applying a sterile dressing helps prevent infection and promotes faster healing. C. The First Aid Box and Its Contents A first aid box is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give medical treatment. Every workshop, lab, and engineering site must have one that is clearly marked and easily accessible.
| Item | Use | | :--- | :--- | | Sterile Gloves (Disposable) | To protect yourself and the victim from infection. ALWAYS put these on first if possible. | | Antiseptic Wipes/Solution | To clean wounds and prevent infection (e.g., Methylated Spirit, Iodine). | | Adhesive Plasters (Band-Aids) | To cover small cuts and grazes. | | Sterile Gauze Dressings | To cover larger wounds and control bleeding. | | Cotton Wool | For cleaning wounds and applying antiseptics. | | Bandages (Crepe & Triangular) | To hold dressings in place, support a sprained joint, or create a sling. | | Adhesive Tape | To secure dressings and bandages. | | Scissors | To cut tape, bandages, or clothing away from an injury. | | Safety Pins | To fasten bandages, especially for a sling. | | Pain Relievers (e.g., Paracetamol) | For mild to moderate pain. *Note: Only give if the person is conscious and can swallow.* | | Tweezers | For removing small splinters or debris from a wound. | | First Aid Manual/Booklet | Provides instructions on how to handle different emergencies. | D. The DRSABCD Action Plan This is a systematic approach to manage any emergency situation. It helps you stay calm and remember what to do. D - Danger: Check for danger. Before you rush to help, look around. Is the machine still running? Are there live electrical wires? Is there a risk of fire? Your safety comes first. You cannot help anyone if you also become a victim. R - Response: Check for a response. Gently tap the person's shoulders and ask loudly, "Are you okay? Can you hear me?". If they respond, they are conscious. If not, they are unconscious. S - Send for help: Shout for help. Tell a specific person to call for an ambulance (in Ghana, dial 112 or 193). Tell them exactly where you are and what has happened. If you are alone, call for help yourself after checking breathing. A - Airway: Open the airway. Gently tilt the victim's head back and lift their chin. This opens the airway and stops the tongue from blocking it. Check inside the mouth for any obvious obstructions. B - Breathing: Check for breathing. Look for chest movement, listen for sounds of breathing, and feel for their breath on your cheek for up to 10 seconds. C - Compressions (CPR): If the person is NOT breathing normally, start chest compressions. *Note: Full CPR training is a specialised course, but the basic principle is to push hard and fast in the centre of the chest to pump blood for them.* D - Defibrillation: Attach a defibrillator if one is available and you are trained to use it. This is more common in advanced first aid. E. How to Administer First Aid for Common Engineering Accidents Minor Cuts and Abrasions (e.g., from a sharp metal sheet) Step 1: Safety First. Put on a pair of disposable gloves. Step 2: Apply Pressure. Use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to apply direct, firm pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. Step 3: Clean the Wound. Once bleeding has slowed or stopped, gently clean the area around the wound with an antiseptic wipe or clean water. Clean away from the wound, not towards it. Step 4: Apply Dressing. Apply a small amount of antiseptic cream (if available) and cover the wound completely with a sterile adhesive plaster or a gauze dressing secured with tape. Step 5: Advise. Tell the person to see a nurse if the wound is deep, very dirty, or if they have not had a tetanus shot recently. Minor Burns (e.g., from a soldering iron or hot exhaust pipe) Step 1: Safety. Ensure the source of the burn is removed and the area is safe. Step 2: Cool the Burn. Immediately place the burnt area under cool (not cold or icy) running water for at least 20 minutes. This is the most critical step as it stops the burning process and reduces pain and scarring. Step 3: Remove Jewellery/Clothing. Gently remove any rings, watches, or tight clothing from the affected area before it starts to swell. Step 4: Cover the Burn. Cover the burn loosely with a sterile, non-stick dressing or clean plastic wrap (like cling film). DO NOT use cotton wool as it will stick to the burn. Step 5: What NOT to do. NEVER apply oil, shea butter, toothpaste, egg whites, or ice to a burn. These can trap heat and cause more damage or infection. Electric Shock (e.g., from faulty equipment) Step 1: DO NOT TOUCH THE VICTIM! If they are still in contact with the electrical source, you will also get shocked. Step 2: Turn Off the Power. The safest and first action is to switch off the main power supply or unplug the appliance. Step 3: Separate the Victim (if power cannot be turned off). Use a dry, non-conductive object like a wooden broom handle or a plastic chair to push the person away from the source. Stand on a dry surface. Step 4: Assess the Victim. Once the area is safe, check for a response using the DRSABCD plan. Electric shock can stop breathing or cause a heart attack. Step 5: Call for Help. Call 112 immediately. Electric shock victims must always be seen by a doctor, even if they seem fine, as it can cause internal injuries. Treat any visible burns as described above.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)