Industrial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Standards & Best Practices

Emergency medical services (EMS) provide medical care and transport to those suffering from medical emergencies such as illness or injury. Industrial companies often maintain their own EMS on-site.

EMS

• Large industries provide their workers with peace of mind by maintaining their own EMS. This allows staff to receive treatment in a timely manner should illness or accidents occur on company grounds. Some companies choose to provide their own EMS providers, ambulance and equipment needed to treat employees. Other companies may choose to outsource by hiring a private ambulance company to respond to any emergencies on the property.

Safety

• Industrial EMS providers can be taught how to handle the complicated equipment used by the company. This gives EMS providers the opportunity to learn how the machines work which may help them to better understand and treat patients who are injured by the equipment while working. Understanding how to shut off, dismantle or take apart the machinery properly can help EMS providers reduce the risk of further injury and allows them to treat and care for employees safely.

Prevent Delays

• Keeping an EMS system on company property can minimize response times. Delaying treatment can be a factor in minimizing long-term affects that may result from injury or illness. Delays can occur when EMS providers unfamiliar with the equipment have to wait on those capable of dismantling the machinery. These delays can result in permanent damage should lack of circulation, excessive blood loss or crush injury occur.