Stay Safe in Singapore: Coping with Difficult Situations

1. Lessons 7 + 8 Coping With Difficult Situations

2. Objectives • Recognise what to do when in an emergency • Use adjectives during role-play to describe injury and medical condition accurately • Practise speaking and use proper tone of voice during role-play

3. Protect yourself when workingin Singapore A new foreign worker in Singapore may need to adjust to many new things, be it in your daily life or in the workplace. It is important to be safe at work so that you can continue to make a good living here. Protect yourself by wearing correct Personal Protective Equipment. Do not take risks, shortcuts or ignore safety rules.

4. Look out for these common work hazards ……. Learn how to stay safe

5. Falls from Height • Use proper platforms and stairs to reach higher places. • Wear your harness and make sure it is hooked to a secure anchor point. • Make sure your harness is working well and in good condition.

6. Slips and Trips • Keep the workplace dry, clean and free from tripping objects such as wires. • Hold the railings when using the stairs.

7. Hit by Falling Objects • Do not stand under a load when it is being lifted by objects such as cranes. • Ensure that objects are not put in areas where they can fall and hit someone

8. Hit by Vehicles at Work • Workers must stay only on paths meant for human traffic and watch out for vehicles. • Workers who drive vehicles must be properly trained, should drive safely and stay only on paths meant for vehicles.

9. Electrocution • Do not use faulty electrical equipment and sockets. • Carry out work in dry conditions.

10. Fires and Explosions • Do not carry out hot works near flammable materials such as solvents. • Keep flammable materials in closed containers and store them in well-ventilated areas.

11. Dangers in Confined Spaces • Ask if the area has been checked for work to be done safely and ensure there is a permit. • Wear protective equipment before entering the confined area. • Know what to do in an emergency.

12. If you are injured at work • Please inform your supervisor. • Should you require further assistance to make a work injury compensation claim, please report the matter to the Ministry of Manpower.

13. What is an Emergency • An emergency is an illness or injury that could end in death or serious complication if it is not treated immediately. The following is a guide to cases classified as emergencies: • Drowsiness or unconsciousness where the person cannot be roused. • Difficulty in breathing or choking. • Sudden or severe chest pain. • Sudden or severe abdominal pain that will not go away. • Dislocated or broken bones. • Deep cuts or wounds with profuse bleeding. • Head injuries that are followed by drowsiness, vomiting, bleeding (from the ears, nose or mouth) or unusual behaviour.

14. What is an Emergency • Injuries to chest, abdomen, pelvis or spine (neck and backbone). • Fall from heights. • Poisoning e.g. inhalation of toxic gases or drug overdose resulting in unconsciousness and respiratory distress. • Crushed injuries. • Severe allergy. • Drowning. • Burns and scalds - deep with white or charred skin or covering a large area bigger than the size of a hand, or covering the face. • Any burn caused by electric shock or by lightning.

15. Fire • Fire Engine/ • Ambulance 995 • Non-Emergency Ambulance1777 • Fire Hazard Reporting • 1800 280 0000

16. Emergency: Call 995 • When a disaster strikes, there will probably be many casualties. The injured will have to go to a hospital, clinic or medical centre for treatment. The SCDF operates a 24-hour Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS) which is ready to tend to any medical emergency in any part of Singapore. • A medical emergency is an illness or injury that could result in death or serious complications if not treated immediately (e.g. major injuries and bleeding, unconsciousness, heart attack or severe heart burns). Dial 995 for such medical emergencies only

17. Non-Emergency: Call 1777 • When a case is non-emergency in nature (e.g. minor cuts and bruises, chronic aches, pains and mild fever), the SCDF EAS should not be used. Instead, medical advice should be sought from a family doctor or hospital, using your own transport or the public transport system. Alternatively, you can dial any of your preferred non-emergency private ambulance services or 1777. If you can render first aid on the spot before medical help is available, you will certainly help to alleviate the pain and suffering of the injured.

18. First Aid : How to Stop a Bleed Bleeding or haemorrhaging is simply blood escaping from its vessels. There are varying degrees of seriousness. The main method of arresting the blood flow is by applying direct pressure.

19. Applying Direct PressureThis is one of the most effective ways of stopping severe bleeding in almost any part of the body. Place the palm or fingers over the bleeding point and apply direct pressure. The bleeding will usually stop after a while. Do not use the method if there is a foreign body in the wound or if a fracture is suspected. With this method, there is also a slight risk of introducing germs into the wound. To prevent this, place a clean piece of material like lint or gauze over the wound before applying pressure.

20. Treating Burns and Scalds • Burns and scalds are injuries to body tissue caused by heat, chemicals or radiation. • Reduce the spread of heat, pain and swelling by placing the burnt area under cold running water or immersing it in cold water for at least 10 minutes.

21. Gently remove any rings, watches, belts or constricting clothing from the injured area before it starts to swell. Cover the injured area with clean, preferably sterile, non- fluffy material. A burnt face may be covered with a gauze mask, with holes cut into it to assist the victim in breathing.

22. Do not break blisters or remove anything that is sticking to a burn. Do not apply lotions, ointments or fat to the injured area.

23. Food Poisoning • What is food poisoning? • Food poisoning is caused by the ingestion of contaminated food which contains substances harmful to the body. It usually shows itself a day after consuming the contaminated food.Some of these harmful substances include: • Bacteria found in spoilt, undercooked or contaminated food• Pesticides found on fruits and vegetables• Poisonous foods (poisonous mushrooms) • Exotic foods which are not properly prepared

24. What causes food poisoning? • Food can become ‘harmful’ when it goes bad, is not properly washed or thoroughly cooked. Poor personal hygiene can also be a cause of food poisoning as bacteria can be spread through stools or dirty hands which have touched contaminated food.The crockery and utensils used to prepare the food can also be a source of contamination as bacteria from raw meats can be passed to fruits and vegetables which are consumed raw.Therefore how you store, handle, cook and serve food is very important in preventing food poisoning.

25. What are the symptoms? • Symptoms of food poisoning can range from a mild stomach upset to diarrhoea, vomiting, shock and sometimes even death. • Patients may also suffer from severe dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhoea. • Other symptoms include giddiness, chills, severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhoea or blood in the stools.Death from food poisoning is not common but can occur if the patient is very young, elderly or has a weak immune system due to pre-existing medical conditions.

26. I think I have food poisoning, what should I do? • Mild cases of food poisoning are usually not distinguishable from stomach upsets and usually last for 24 – 48 hours. Treat your symptoms and prevent dehydration by drinking lots of clear fluids. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated or sugary drinks. More severe food poisoning would last more than 48 hours. It would be advisable to visit the doctor to seek medical advice. Symptoms include giddiness, bloody diarrhoea or blood in the stools. Visit a doctor immediately if the person has:• an illness which impairs the immune system (organ failure, undergoing dialysis, etc)• symptoms which are accompanied by a high fever

27. Who should I contact if I want to enquire more about food poisoning or report cases of food poisoning? • For health related queries, members of the public can contact Ministry of Health (MOH) at 1800-2254122, or feedback through the MOH website.For feedback on any hygiene lapses, the public may contact the National Environment Agency (NEA) at their 24-hr hotline 1800-2255 632, or email to contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg.

28. Abuse and ill-treatment • Disputes might arise because of misunderstandings and differing expectations • MOM takes a serious view of employers who ill-treat or abuse their foreign workers, especially those in domestic employment. • If you are worried about your personal well-being and security, you are advised to call the Police at 999 or your embassy. • If you need assistance, please contact your employment agency or MOM which offers help to resolve such employment disputes. • Please contact MOM at 6438 5122 for the conciliation service .

29. Disputes with your employersor employment agency • If you have found your agency's service unsatisfactory, or if you have a contractual dispute with your employment agency, or if you find that your employer is very unreasonable, you may seek mediation services from one of two accreditation bodies in Singapore, the Association of Employment Agencies, and CaseTrust Complete and MOM.

30. Role-Play: Scenario 1 • In pairs, each person will take turns to be the person who seeks emergency attention (C) and the police (P). • Remember to practise the proper tone of voice during the role-play. C: (excited and anxious) Hello! Is this the police station/fire station? P: (calm and official) Yes, can I help you?C: My kitchen is on fire!P: Where do you live?C: Block 21, #02-123 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2

31. Role-Play: Scenario 1 P: Is anyone injured? C: No. P: Can you tell me more about the situation?C: My friend was cooking a pot of curry, when he went to speak with his friend on the mobile phone. I came into the kitchen when I smelt something burning. To my horror, the whole pot of curry had been burnt and the kitchen was on fire. P: OK. We will come down immediately. Please leave the flat immediately, and inform your neighbours of the fire.C: OK, thank you!P: You are most welcome.

32. Role-Play: Scenario 2 • Dialogue in the police station between theft victim (V) and police officer (P).V: Good afternoon, sir. I wish to lodge a police report.P: What can I do for you? V: My mobile phone was stolen when I was at the hawker centre. P: Which hawker centre? V: Tekka hawker centre.P: How did you lose it?V: I left it on the table while I was ordering my roti prata. When I came back, it was nowhere to be found.

33. Role-Play: Scenario 2 • P: When did you lose it? V: Today, at around 10 in the morning. P: Did you notice the people who were at the table?V: I can’t remember, but there were many people of my nationality who were there. P: Can you describe your phone?V: It’s a Nokia 3310. It is blue in colour. The screensaver has a photograph of my wife and son. My phone number is 96321120. P: (after typing report) Please read this report and sign above your name. We will call you as soon as somebody returns your phone. V: Thank you.P: Please remember to be careful and do not leave your mobile phone or personal belongings unattended.

34. Role-Play: Scenario 3 • In pairs, one person will role-play the victim, and another will role-play the first aider attending to him • First aider will ask victim about his condition. You can use the following helping phrases:

35. Role-Play: Scenario 3 • Deep cut, slight graze; dizziness; tremendous pain; slight bruise; swollen ankle, finger; stabbing sharp pain; dislocated elbow; fracture; bleeding; itchiness; numbness; walks with a limp; difficulty breathing; stomach cramps; diarrhoea; bloated feeling; heart palpitations; shivering; feverish; nosebleed; stye in the eye; ringing sound in ear, sore throat; ulcers in mouth; ailments; blisters, burns, indigestion; food poisoning, vomiting, stomach upset            

36. Role-Play: Scenario 3 Victim will use adjectives to describe his condition in full sentences.

37. Role-Play: Scenario 4 • In pairs, you will now practise and deliver an impromptu dialogue between an abusive employer and a migrant worker. • Be very mindful of what you say to the employer. It should be polite, dignified and controlled.  

38. Role-Play: Scenario 4 • Take some time to rehearse the scenario, and be prepared to present it to the class. While you are doing so, facilitator will write down on the board the adjectives that you have used in your role-play.