Ill health and Recovery

FISA Bulletin

Working in forestry often means working in remote locations and sometimes being the solitary worker on site. Sudden or worsening illnesses are potentially more significant in these situations

This note is not medical advice, not intended to be comprehensive, but to assist in considering the potential and how to be prepared for these situations.

Typical instances may be a stroke or heart attack

From your first aid training you should be aware of:

Symptoms and actions in case of a stroke:

• F - face. Part of the person's face starts to droop, making it difficult for them to smile.
• A - arms. The person is unable to fully lift their arms.
• S - speech. The person has difficulties with speech, which becomes slurred.
• T - time. It is time to call 999. A person displaying these symptoms must immediately be taken to an emergency department for treatment.

A person experiencing a stroke might also have a sudden headache, confusion, dizziness, problems with communicating or problems with their vision.
Headway website has more information - link below

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
• pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
• feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• sweating
• shortness of breath
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
• coughing or wheezing

The chest pain is often severe, but some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion.
See NHS Heart attack symptoms link below.

Call 999 immediately if you think someone might be having a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances.

Team members should be organised to deal with the medical emergency as they are prepared for dealing with an accident.

As well as the first aid training and equipment present the team should have access to pre-prepared emergency procedures for that specific site.

FISA Guide 802 Emergency Planning - link below - provides guidance and an example emergency procedures sheet.

If you are the solitary worker on site your lone working procedures should consider how you can summon help if you become unwell and if you are not fit to drive home on your own.

Recovery after ill health may take some time. Be prepared to stage your return to work for forestry work and conditions.

HSE’s advice on returning to work

• Agree a suitable return to work plan with your worker. You should prepare this before they come back to work, with their input and agreement. Incorporate any relevant advice from healthcare providers and occupational health services.
• Make sure the return to work is sustainable by continuing to make adjustments, for example:
  • for fluctuating conditions
  • adapting sickness absence trigger points when you need to
  • using disability leave
• Phased returns can help a worker gradually come back to work in a supported way. Workers may not need to be back to their normal levels of activity to come back to work. A supported return can help their recovery.
• Review risk assessments for workers if their absence was caused by work-related injury or ill health. You may need additional workplace adjustments.