by: Dee Jepsen, PhD, Associate Professor and State Safety Program Leader, Agricultural Safety & Health
Lisa Pfeifer, Educational Program Manager, Agricultural Safety & Health
When agritourism operations are open for business during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider how first aid treatment will be impacted. No matter their size, medical emergencies require prompt attention. Having trained employees ready to handle the situation, shows responsibility and compassion of the agritourism venue.
First Aid Kits
Every agritourism operation should have a first aid kit available for employees (and possibly the public) to access. Kits are available in different sizes. Permanent kits can be mounted in a central location; portable kits are good to have in farm vehicles and also readily available to take to remote areas away from the main building. Items in the kit can be personalized to your operation and include:
- Antiseptic wipes
- Gauze pads & various sized bandages
- Antibiotic cream
- Burn cream
- Insect sting relief
- Sunscreen
- Eyewash kit
- Ibuprofen/Aspirin tablets
Extra precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additional items for first aid kits for this season are:
- Hand sanitizer or foaming hand wash sanitizers
- Sanitizing wipes
- Nitrile disposable gloves
- Disposable face mask
- CPR face shield
First Aid Treatments
When providing first aid care, human nature will be to act urgently. However, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions while offering personalized attention.
- Have the sick or injured person and the caregiver team wear face coverings.
- Limit bystanders and non-essential responders to six feet distancing. Also, limit the number of persons in direct contact with the sick or injured person.
- Wash hands before and after treatment.
- Wear disposable gloves during any contact or treatment. Properly remove and dispose of the gloves.
- Aftercare has occurred, clean and sanitize the area, and any items that have touched the patient.
Performing CPR
Cardiac emergencies can occur at any time. Being trained in CPR is a valuable skill to help adults, children, and infants during breathing emergencies. Due to the remote locations of agritourism operations, it is advised to immediately call 9-1-1 to start emergency vehicles en route.
- CPR can be started at any time by trained individuals. Untrained individuals, or those uncomfortable performing CPR on the victim, can start Hands-Only CPR (continuous chest compressions without any mouth to mouth contact). Wear protective gloves.
- Use a breathing barrier for administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The risk of disease transmission is low when using a CPR face shield.
OSU Extension Bulletin Forthcoming
OSU Extension has prepared a guidance bulletin to help farms develop their plans. The guide is based on publications from the state of Ohio, the CDC, and others. The guide is in the final stage of the approval process and will be available in the coming days. This guide can be used to develop opening plans or update existing plans for agritourism operations.
The guidance bulletin will be posted here on the Ohio Ag Manager website. To watch for updates on the guide, we encourage farms to subscribe to our Ohio Ag Manager Blog at http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/