In the face of looming rural hospital closures in Alabama, it's crucial to address the issue of uncontrolled bleeding, which is the primary preventable cause of death among people with unintentional injuries in the U.S. and a major factor in work-related injuries. With over 40% of the state population living in rural areas and many commuting to work from these regions, the potential closure of hospitals poses a significant risk to workers' lives.
Uncontrolled bleeding is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. The first five minutes after a severe injury are crucial, and the potential closure of rural hospitals is putting lives at risk. In the U.S., nearly 4 million workplace injuries occur each year, leading to over 5,000 deaths. Employers in Alabama have reported more than 3,400 severe injuries and deaths over the past decade, and these numbers likely do not capture the full extent of work-related deaths.
The state's workforce is particularly vulnerable, with 40% working in dangerous occupations like trade, transportation, and utilities, and manufacturing. These jobs accounted for 52% of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2024, and transportation and utilities workers experienced the highest rate of workplace fatalities.
Community members and fellow workers can serve as first responders, and applying pressure with hands can reduce blood loss and save lives. Research shows that using a tourniquet resulted in survival rates between 87 to 100% across 50 studies. However, these data assume that people have been trained in how to control bleeding.
Many employers already require CPR training and have an AED at the worksite to facilitate fast response to heart attacks. A bleeding control kit would be an easy and cheap addition, costing around $65, much cheaper than AEDs that run upwards of $500. They also do not require routine maintenance or quality control checks like AEDs.
Federal guidelines for emergency preparedness at the worksite are vague and minimal, and the state of Alabama has not implemented a state-level occupational health and safety plan. This leaves public sector and small or local government employees to fend for themselves.
Employers and state officials should mandate evidence-based bleeding control education and stock basic bleeding control equipment, including tourniquets and gauze for wound packing. This is a clear, affordable place to start to protect Alabama workers from preventable death and disability.
In my opinion, the state should mandate these at every workplace, regardless of size, as severe injury is not restricted to organizations with more than 10 employees. This is a critical step to ensure the safety and well-being of Alabama's workforce, and it's high time we take action to prevent preventable deaths and disabilities.
