[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 30, Volume 1]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 30CFR50.20-3]



[Page 255-256]

 

                       TITLE 30--MINERAL RESOURCES

 

  CHAPTER I--MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

 

PART 50_NOTIFICATION, INVESTIGATION, REPORTS AND RECORDS OF ACCIDENTS, 

INJURIES, ILLNESSES, EMPLOYMENT, AND COAL PRODUCTION IN MINES--Table 

of Contents

 

        Subpart C_Reporting of Accidents, Injuries, and Illnesses

 

Sec.  50.20-3  Criteria--Differences between medical treatment and first 

aid.



    (a) Medical treatment includes, but is not limited to, the suturing 

of any wound, treatment of fractures, application of a cast or other 

professional means of immobilizing an injured part of the body, 

treatment of infection arising out of an injury, treatment of bruise by 

the drainage of blood, surgical removal of dead or damaged skin 

(debridement), amputation or permanent loss of use of any part of the 

body, treatment of second and third degree burns. Procedures which are 

diagnostic in nature are not considered by themselves to constitute 

medical treatments. Visits to a physician, physical examinations, X-ray 

examinations, and hospitalization for observations, where no evidence of 

injury or illness is found and no medical treatment given, do not in 

themselves constitute medical treatment. Procedures which are preventive 

in nature also are not considered by themselves to constitute medical 

treatment. Tetanus and flu shots are considered preventative in nature. 

First aid includes any one-time treatment, and follow-up visit for the 

purpose of observation, of minor injuries such as, cuts, scratches, 

first degree



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burns and splinters. Ointments, salves, antiseptics, and dressings to 

minor injuries are considered to be first aid.

    (1) Abrasion. (i) First aid treatment is limited to cleaning a 

wound, soaking, applying antiseptic and nonprescription medication and 

bandages on the first visit and follow-up visits limited to observation 

including changing dressing and bandages. Additional cleaning and 

application of antiseptic constitutes first aid where it is required by 

work duties that soil the bandage.

    (ii) Medical treatment includes examination for removal of imbedded 

foreign material, multiple soakings, whirlpool treatment, treatment of 

infection, or other professional treatments and any treatment involving 

more than a minor spot-type injury. Treatment of abrasions occurring to 

greater than full skin depth is considered medical treatment.

    (2) Bruises. (i) First aid treatment is limited to a single soaking 

or application of cold compresses, and follow-up visits if they are 

limited only to observation.

    (ii) Medical treatment includes multiple soakings, draining of 

collected blood, or other treatment beyond observation.

    (3) Burns, Thermal and Chemical (resulting in destruction of tissue 

by direct contact). (i) First aid treatment is limited to cleaning or 

flushing the surface, soaking, applying cold compresses, antiseptics or 

nonprescription medications, and bandaging on the first visit, and 

follow-up visits restricted to observation, changing bandages, or 

additional cleaning. Most first degree burns are amenable to first aid 

treatment.

    (ii) Medical treatment includes a series of treatments including 

soaks, whirlpool, skin grafts, and surgical debridement (cutting away 

dead skin). Most second and third degree burns require medical 

treatment.

    (4) Cuts and Lacerations. (i) First aid treatment is the same as for 

abrasions except the application of butterfly closures for cosmetic 

purposes only can be considered first aid.

    (ii) Medical treatment includes the application of butterfly 

closures for non-cosmetic purposes, sutures, (stitches), surgical 

debridement, treatment of infection, or other professional treatment.

    (5) Eye Injuries. (i) First aid treatment is limited to irrigation, 

removal of foreign material not imbedded in eye, and application of 

nonprescription medications. A precautionary visit (special examination) 

to a physician is considered as first aid if treatment is limited to 

above items, and follow-up visits if they are limited to observation 

only.

    (ii) Medical treatment cases involve removal of imbedded foreign 

objects, use of prescription medications, or other professional 

treatment.

    (6) Inhalation of Toxic or Corrosive Gases. (i) First aid treatment 

is limited to removal of the miner to fresh air or the one-time 

administration of oxygen for several minutes.

    (ii) Medical treatment consists of any professional treatment beyond 

that mentioned under first aid and all cases involving loss of 

consciousness.

    (7) Foreign Objects. (i) First aid treatment is limited to cleaning 

the wound, removal of any foreign object by tweezers or other simple 

techniques, application of antiseptics and nonprescription medications, 

and bandaging on the first visit. Follow-up visits are limited to 

observation including changing of bandages. Additional cleaning and 

applications of antiseptic constitute first aid where it is required by 

work duties that soil the bandage.

    (ii) Medical treatment consists of removal of any foreign object by 

physician due to depth of imbedment, size or shape of object, or 

location of wound. Treatment for infection, treatment of a reaction to 

tetanus booster, or other professional treatment, is considered medical 

treatment.

    (8) Sprains and Strains. (i) First aid treatment is limited to 

soaking, application of cold compresses, and use of elastic bandages on 

the first visit. Follow-up visits for observation, including reapplying 

bandage, are first aid.

    (ii) Medical treatment includes a series of hot and cold soaks, use 

of whirlpools, diathermy treatment, or other professional treatment.



[42 FR 65535, Dec. 30, 1977; 43 FR 12318, Mar. 24, 1978]



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