[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 30, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 30CFR50.20-3]

[Page 245-246]
 
                       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 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.

[[Page 246]]

    (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]