10/ 04/ 2006
by Misti Wolanski
You know that a major accident, injury or trauma requires immediate medical attention and a 911 call, but what about the paper cut that happens when your assistant opens a cardboard delivery box of supplies, or the headache your best graphic designer gets while approaching a deadline?
A small business does not have the space or money to be as well-equipped as a hospital if a small accident, headache or illness arises. Some types of injuries like burns or a simple paper cut are just more liable to occur in certain types of workplaces. Keeping a basic first-aid kit on hand can be a relief when a small accident happens at your business.
Any first-aid supplies you keep on hand could be considered a drain of funds, except that the supplies help keep your employees at top productivity. In deciding which, if any, supplies to keep on hand, consider what you might need and what you'd need it for.
Analgesics
While many people think of the following medications when they want painkillers, each of the main over-the counter pain medications have forms of pain they're best at relieving.
Aspirin, though common for pain relief, probably isn't the best choice to keep at your business because a number of people are dangerously allergic. It also often causes an upset stomach. It's an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic (a fever-reducing drug), but it's good at killing pain, too.
Ibuprofen was designed to be more powerful than aspirin and, as an anti-inflammatory, it is, with the added benefit of less likelihood of stomach discomfort. It's excellent for swelling but beware of extended use. It's unkind to your liver.
Acetaminophen has even fewer side effects. It pays for that by lacking the effectiveness for pain that other medications have, though it surpasses the others as an antipyretic. Unlike aspirin and ibuprofen, acetaminophen is not an anti-inflammatory and, therefore, will not reduce swelling.
Naproxen sodium is a powerful painkiller (and is often prescribed for post-surgery pain). Among the strongest basic pain relief medications, it's also something of a throwback with its potential to cause stomach and gastrointestinal problems. Naproxen sodium isn't an antipyretic, but it'll knock out that headache.
Antihistamines
Few people expect to learn suddenly that they're allergic to something the hard way. An antihistamine medication like Benadryl can potentially be a lifesaver––or at least of great relief––if someone around your office gets stung by an insect. Other potential emergency situations could include surprises such as learning you're dangerously allergic to strawberries when you've eaten one and can't breathe or accidentally eating something with undeclared MSG in it (though an antihistamine would admittedly do little good for those who react to MSG with seizures).
Allergies are a nuisance at best. Some people are even allergic––a few deathly so––to traces in the air of whatever they react to. An employee who is allergic to, for example, spring flowers will be immensely grateful for symptom relief on the day her office mate layers on the honeysuckle perfume. Without an antihistamine, this employee could spend such a day with watery eyes, unceasing itches or even have to leave the office for the day in order to breathe.
Antiseptics
Few people would claim that infection is a good thing. For significant cuts and scrapes, prompt application of an antiseptic (disinfectant) can greatly aid healing.
Hydrogen peroxide comes in wipes and is probably the most convenient option. Minor injuries can be washed with soap and water, but when that won't work, a peroxide wipe will handle greater needs without the pain of ethanol (alcohol) or the awkwardness of the usual application method by cotton balls.
Bandages
The common Band-Aid might suffer overuse or be rarely used, but if semi-serious cuts are somewhat common in your line of work, you'll probably want a box of them to help staunch blood flow. If you choose to keep adhesives bandages on hand, make a variety of sizes available. You might even consider the liquid variety, which is a bit awkward to use but at least fits injuries of any size.
Lotions
A non-allergenic lotion, specifically one lacking fragrances and containing aloe, has more benefits than most people realize. It'll relieve symptoms of dry skin and skin reactions that can occur from soaps and other substances. If burns can happen in your business, the aloe in the lotion will soothe them and assist healing. (Aloe must be applied promptly after burning to have an effect.)
Your clients may make your business, but it's you and your employees who do the work. An ill employee or one with a small injury hardly works at peak performance, so spend the time and money to make sure that your first-aid kit is packed with the basics and is ready for any need that may arise.
