How does the injured employee feel now?
How did the injury occur?
How could this accident have been prevented?
The RRT Guide
Rapid Response Team Guide
Unions which sign up for the Rapid Response Team receive comprehensive, professionally printed booklets designed to equip their members with essential information for handling workplace emergencies. Union leaders will find the booklets easy to distribute among their members, reinforcing the union’s commitment to safety and support. Explore the booklet contents and see how the Rapid Response Team empowers unions to protect their members when it matters most.
If You're Injured
Steps to take if you’re injured at work
Seek proper medical attention
Call 911 if needed.
Call the Rapid Response Team at 210-912-6732
The scene of the accident will not be tampered with while you are receiving medical attention. The RRT will immediately send investigators to the scene of the accident to collect evidence. (i.e. photos, video, statements from witnesses.)
Don't be forced into signing any statement or incident report
This is especially true if you are under the influence of pain medication or narcotics.
Be aware of witnesses
Ask any witnesses to your accident to give you a statement.
Take pictures
Photograph any paperwork from the accidence that can help your case.
Possible Accident Investigation Questions
Some of the questions below will be applicable and some will not. Which questions are applicable depends on the nature and circumstances of the accident.
HOW
WHO
Who was injured?
Who saw the accident?
Who was working with the injured person?
Who had assigned the person to the task?
Who had trained the person on the hazards and protective measures for this task?
Who else was involved?
WHEN
When did the accident occur?
When did the person start this task?
When had the supervisor last checked on the job?
WHERE
Where did the accident occur?
Where was the person at the time of the accident?
Where was the supervisor at the time?
Where were fellow workers at the time?
HOW
How does the injured employee feel now?
How did the injury occur?
How could this accident have been prevented?
Ensuring Timely Action
Ensuring timely action following a workplace accident or other personal injury case is of utmost importance for several crucial reasons. Meeting the statute(s) of limitations is vital. Every claim has a statute of limitations, which is the legal time frame within which a person must file. If the statute of limitations expires, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Failing to initiate legal action in a timely manner can severely limit, or even eliminate, your ability to pursue a claim, even if you have a strong case otherwise.
Further, delays in pursuing a personal injury claim may lead to disputes regarding causation, liability, and damages. Insurance companies may question the severity of your injuries or argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident in question. By taking timely action, you can proactively address potential disputes and avoid unnecessary delays in the claims process.
Documenting Injuries and Medical Treatment
Documenting injuries and medical treatment in a personal injury case is crucial for several reasons. First, it provides a detailed record of the injuries sustained. Immediate medical attention after an accident is essential for your health and for building a strong case. Medical records, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans serve as concrete evidence of the injuries. Providing these materials to your attorneys ensures no crucial detail is overlooked.
Second, documenting injuries and medical treatment establishes that the injuries resulted from the accident. Insurance companies and opposing parties may argue that injuries were pre-existing or less severe. By documenting injuries and care received after the accident, victims can clearly show the injuries were a direct result of the incident.
Third, proper documentation helps calculate the full extent of damages. In workplace injury and other personal injury cases, victims are entitled to compensation for medical expenses, both current and future. Detailed medical records help accurately assess these costs, ensuring victims receive the compensation they deserve.
Preserving Accident Scene Evidence
Preserving evidence of the accident scene is crucial in workplace and personal injury cases, as it helps determine liability and establish facts. Accurate evidence such as broken equipment, work area layouts, conditions, or property damage provides vital clues for investigators reconstructing events. This determination of liability is essential for holding the responsible party accountable.
Additionally, preserved evidence allows investigators to observe the scene as it was during the accident. Because accident scenes can change, evidence can quickly disappear or be altered. By preserving evidence through photographs, video recordings, and detailed notes, details about the accident scene are maintained, allowing for a more accurate and thorough investigation.
Preserved accident scene evidence also serves as critical documentation in claims. Insurance companies, courts, and legal teams rely on this evidence to validate injuries and damages. Well-preserved evidence supports the victim’s version of events, making their case stronger during negotiations and legal proceedings.
How to Photograph the Accident Scene
ENSURE SAFETY FIRST
Address any immediate dangers and medical needs.
ACT QUICKLY
Photograph the scene promptly before any changes.
CAPTURE VARIOUS ANGLES
Take wide shots for context and close-ups for details.
CAPTURE MACHINERY DETAILS
If a machine was involved, take pictures of the machine from multiple angles.
DOCUMENT CONDITIONS
Show environmental factors, safety violations, and signage.
SCALE AND NOTES
Include objects for scale in injury photos and take detailed notes on each photo.
PRESERVE ORIGINALS
Keep unedited originals and back them up securely.
RESPECT PRIVACY
Obtain consent when photographing individuals.
General First Aid Procedures
This manual serves as a guide for responding to various first aid emergencies within the workplace. Its purpose is to provide employees with the knowledge and steps necessary to assist coworkers in need, reduce the severity of injuries or illnesses, and potentially save lives in critical situations.
ASSESS THE SITUATION
Quickly evaluate the scene for safety. Ensure the area is safe for you, the victim, and others before providing assistance.
CALL FOR HELP
If the situation appears serious, call emergency services immediately. Provide them with precise information about the location and nature of the emergency.
CONSENT
Before administering first aid, gain consent from the conscious victim. If the victim is unconscious, consent is implied.
USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Always use gloves and other PPE to protect yourself from blood- borne pathogens.
FOLLOW THE ABCS OF FIRST AID
Airway Breathing Circulation
Ensure the victim has an open airway, is breathing, and has a pulse. If necessary, perform CPR.
Specific First Aid Emergencies
Before initiating any first aid to control bleeding, put on gloves to avoid contact between victim’s blood and your skin.
Bleeding
STOP BLEEDING
Press firmly over the wound with a cloth; don’t remove if soaked, just add more.
ELEVATE AND CLEAN
Raise the injury higher than the heart, clean with water, avoid harsh chemicals, and cover with a sterile dressing.
PRESSURE AND SHOCK
Use a pressure bandage for ongoing bleeding, monitor for shock by keeping the person warm and elevated.
PROFESSIONAL HELP
Seek immediate medical attention for severe cases. Quick, correct first aid can significantly aid recovery.
Stroke
If you suspect a stroke, act quickly and remember FAST to assess and respond:
FACE
Ask the person to smile. Check if one side of the face droops.
ARMS
Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward.
SPEECH
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Listen for slurred or strange speech.
TIME
If you observe any of these signs, time is absolutely critical. Call emergency services immediately, even if the symptoms seem to fluctuate or even disappear.
During emergencies, keep the person comfortable and calm. Avoid giving any food or drink so as to prevent choking. Monitor breathing and be prepared to administer CPR if trained to do so. Quick response is key in stroke cases to reduce any negative long-term effects.
Choking
SIGNS OF CHOKING
The person is clutching at their throat, unable to breathe or talk, or skin, lips, and nails are turning blue.
THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER
Position Yourself: Stand behind the person choking, slightly to one side. Ensure they are upright and positioned securely.
Wrap Your Arms
Put your arms securely around their waist, under their arms, and gently bend them forward.
Make a Fist
Form a fist with one hand just above their navel. Grasp the Fist: Hold your fist with the other hand firmly but gently.
Perform Abdominal Thrusts
Thrust sharply upwards into their abdomen to dislodge the obstruction. Repeat as Necessary: Continue thrusts until the object is expelled or they breathe/cough forcefully.
CPR
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation can help save a life during cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. However, even after training, remembering the CPR steps and administering them correctly can be a challenge.
- Check the scene for safety, form an initial impression and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
- If the person appears unresponsive, CHECK for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout.
- If the person does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so.
- Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Give 30 chest compressions.
Hand position: Two hands centered on the chest.
Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked.
Depth: At least 2 inches.
Rate: 100 to 120 per minute.
Allow chest to return to normal position after each compression. - Give 2 breaths.
Open the airway to a past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique.
Pinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and completely seal your mouth over the person’s mouth.
Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise; let the air exit before giving the next breath.
If the first breath doesn’t make the chest rise, re-tilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the second breath. If the second breath fails, an object may be blocking the airway. - Give 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths. Use an AED as soon as available! Keep interruptions to compressions under 10 seconds.
Spinal Injuries
Assume one has a spinal injury if any of the following are true:
• There’s evidence of a head injury with an ongoing change in the person’s level of consciousness.
• The person complains of severe pain in his or her neck or back.
• An injury has exerted substantial force on the back or head.
• The person complains of weakness, numbness, or paralysis or lacks control of his or her limbs, bladder or bowels.
• The neck or body is twisted or positioned oddly or awkwardly.
-
Get help by calling 911 or emergency services.
-
Keep the person still using heavy towels on both sides of the neck.
-
Avoid moving the head or neck. Provide first aid without moving the head or neck. If no signs of circulation, start CPR without tilting the head back.
-
If the person is wearing a helmet or hardhat, keep it on.
-
Don’t roll the person alone. If you must roll the person because they are vomiting, choking on blood, or you need to check their breathing, get someone to help. One person at the head and another at the side should roll the person onto their side, keeping their head, neck, and back aligned.
Heart Attack
Call 911 immediately for help. If you can’t get an ambulance, have someone drive you quickly to the nearest hospital.
Take aspirin if medically advised. It will help prevent blood clotting and may significantly reduce serious heart damage.
Use nitroglycerin if prescribed while waiting for medical help.
Begin CPR if no pulse or breathing. If untrained, do hands-only CPR. Use an AED if available and the person is unconscious. It provides step-by-step voice instructions and delivers shocks when needed.