Diabetic emergency in the workplace: How first aiders are trained to respond

Diabetes is a medical condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate its blood sugar levels properly. Usually, people’s bodies maintain the ideal blood sugar levels automatically. Sometimes, a person who has diabetes can experience a diabetic emergency (hypoglycaemia), which requires help from a first aider. Our guide looks at how to help when someone has a diabetic emergency.

How our training prepares first aiders to help someone having a diabetic emergency

Our training courses provide learners with the knowledge and skills to respond to diabetic emergencies in the workplace. Through interactive group discussions, participants will explore the common triggers of diabetic emergencies along with misconceptions about what can cause them. Learners also engage in video-based activities to understand the signs of a diabetic emergency and the essential first aid steps required to help.

To support learners in extending their understanding, all learners receive a comprehensive first aid manual to take away with them. This valuable resource can be used for learner-led research activities, providing detailed information on diabetic emergencies and other medical scenarios covered during the course.

What happens when someone has a diabetic emergency?

When someone experiences a diabetic emergency, it usually involves low blood sugar, which is also sometimes called a hypoglycaemic episode. In these situations, symptoms can develop rapidly, often leaving the person confused and irrational. This may make it difficult for them to help themselves in the moment. If you work closely with someone who has diabetes, they are likely to be an expert on their own condition and can explain what happens when their blood sugar drops, enabling you to support them effectively if an emergency arises.

While many adults living with diabetes have experienced diabetic emergencies before and know how to manage their symptoms, there are times when the onset is so sudden that they require immediate assistance. If you know the person, you might notice unusual behaviour that signals the emergency, such as confusion or irrational actions, which are easier to spot if you’re familiar with their normal demeanour. However, identifying these signs can be harder if you don’t know the individual, as symptoms may sometimes be mistaken for drunkenness.

It’s important to note that while high blood sugar can cause serious health issues, it doesn’t typically require urgent first aid intervention in the same way as low blood sugar does.

In what workplace situations or environments are people likely to have a diabetic emergency?

Anybody working in any work environment can be affected by diabetes. According to Diabetes UK, almost 4.6 million people in the UK live with diabetes diagnoses. This is also known as hypoglycaemia and is often triggered when a person with diabetes hasn’t eaten for a while or has used more energy than usual.

Certain activities in the workplace can increase the likelihood of a diabetic emergency. For instance, physically demanding roles like construction or warehouse work may lead to low blood sugar due to the high energy expenditure. Similarly, roles that involve prolonged periods of concentration, such as long shifts monitoring equipment in manufacturing, can cause someone to forget to eat at regular intervals, putting them at risk. Even in less physically demanding environments like offices, skipping meals due to busy schedules or stress can contribute to a sudden drop in blood sugar levels.

Understanding the activities and conditions that can increase the risk of a diabetic emergency can help to create safer workplaces and better support for colleagues living with diabetes.

What to do if someone has a diabetic emergency in the workplace

Signs and symptoms for diabetic emergencies can vary from person to person, but some of the common ones include feeling hungry, weak or faint and having clammy or sweaty skin. They may feel drowsy or confused and if you know the person you may notice that they are behaving strangely or acting irrationally.

You can help someone if they are having a diabetic emergency by:

1. 1. Helping them to sit down and giving them something sugary to eat or drink.
      In a diabetic emergency, blood sugar levels can become low; this can cause someone to collapse. which could be dangerous if it’s left without treatment. Giving them something sugary will help raise their blood sugar levels and so improve their bodily function.
   2. Stay with them to make sure they respond to the sugar.
   3. As they start to recover, give them more sugar.
   4. Help them to rest until they feel better.
   5. They may want to test their blood sugar using their glucose testing kit - you can help them to do this.
   6. If there is no improvement, call 999 for emergency help or get someone else to do it.

How can you be prepared for someone who is having a diabetic emergency in the workplace?

Managing diabetes requires individuals to carefully balance their blood sugar through diet, medication, or insulin injections. Despite their best efforts, diabetic emergencies — commonly caused by low blood sugar — can arise suddenly, leaving the affected person in need of immediate assistance. These emergencies highlight the importance of employers being prepared to act swiftly and effectively.

To mitigate risks, employers should conduct regular risk assessments alongside a first aid needs assessment. Risk assessments help identify potential hazards in the workplace that could contribute to a diabetic emergency, such as physically demanding tasks or extended periods without breaks. A first aid needs assessment ensure the right equipment, training, and procedures are in place to address emergencies effectively.

Having trained first aiders is critical in responding to situations where a person with diabetes experiences a sudden drop in blood sugar. These first aiders will have the skills to identify symptoms such as confusion or irrational behaviour and intervene promptly, potentially saving lives.

Employers can take proactive steps to support employees with diabetes, such as ensuring sugary drinks or sweets are readily available and accessible in case of emergencies. This simple measure, combined with ongoing risk assessments and qualified first aiders, fosters a safer workplace environment for everyone.

The British Red Cross Training First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work Requalification courses feature practical training on how to help someone who is having a diabetic emergency.