Manson Introduces Self-Care First Aid Kits

Manson’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department created self-care first aid kits for its workforce this spring. These kits include a variety of different medical supplies that aid employees in caring for first aid injuries, whether they are at work or home.

Creation and Purpose of the Self-Care First Aid Kits

“The idea for the first aid kits came when we noticed that employees who experienced first aid injuries at work often lacked the necessary medical supplies to tend to their wounds at home,” says Vice President & EHS Director Forrest Ray.

Forrest worked with EHS Manager Matua Sablan and EHS Specialist Cooper Stewart to solve the problem and improve Manson’s safety processes for first aid injuries.

“It’s just another way of taking care of our people. We want to make sure there’s no question that Manson employees have what they need,” Forrest says.

What’s in the Bag?

The new self-care kits contain medical supplies including adhesive bandages, bandages, adhesive wraps, antiseptic wipes, muscle rub, waterproof adhesive tape, triple antibiotic ointment, a reusable heat and ice pack, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. These supplies are useful for a variety of different injuries, so employees will be well-equipped to take care of themselves at home. For example, if an employee pulls a back muscle while working, they can soothe their pain with the muscle rub, continue first aid treatment after their shift, and keep the extra supplies.

The self-care first aid kits contain waterproof adhesive tape, adhesive bandages, bandages, yard adhesive wrap, antiseptic wipes gauze pads, muscle rub, triple antibiotic ointment, reusable heating and ice pack, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.

Although these medical supplies are readily available throughout Manson’s offices and project sites, employees may not have them at home. These kits are an easily portable option to ensure that people get the care they need without having to run to the store to grab the supplies after an injury.

“We used to have someone go get them, or employees will say, ‘I have them at home, don't worry about it,’” Forrest shares. “More often than not, the injured employee would admit they don’t have the supplies at home when the safety team followed up with them.”

Taking Care of People First

Manson’s safety program strives to eliminate hazards whenever possible, but sometimes accidents still happen. Even though most injuries are minor enough to not warrant a visit to the clinic, they should be treated right away to prevent them from getting worse. When employees do not treat their injuries straight away, it can be dangerous—jeopardizing the employee’s physical well-being, as well as their team’s. If one employee is not feeling up to standard, other employees could potentially get hurt from mistakes that the injured employee may make.

As another layer of support, Manson employs a third-party service called WorkCare, which is a health service that ensures employees get accurate information on the supplies needed to tend their injuries when they go home. WorkCare records information about the incident, gives medical advice regarding the necessary supplies, calls to follow up, and advises when further care is needed.

When people get injured, whether it is a small cut or a muscle strain, Manson cares and wants to make sure every injury is addressed fully. By providing first aid immediately when an injury occurs and sending the employee home with the self-care kit, Manson is taking the initiative to ensure that injuries are cared for right away.

“Taking care of people is Manson’s most important core value, and with these kits, we continue to uphold that value,” Cooper explains. “We’re always trying to learn from each other. Safety is about keeping people alive and healthy, and making sure they are getting home to their families.”