WORKPLACE FIRST AID

All workplaces must provide access to first aid facilities. A workplace should also have at least one designated person responsible for first aid facilities .

If you have been designated the first aid officer then you should make sure that you are properly trained and that the first aid facilities are always well stocked and ready for use in the case of an emergency.

The person designated as the workplace first aid officer should hold a current first aid certificate. A number of first aid certificate courses are available throughout Australia. First aid qualifications can and do expire, so refresher training for first aid attendants will be necessary. All staff should be made aware of who the designated first aid person in the workplace is.

If the first aid kit is not located near the first aid officers then their names and contact telephone number should be listed inside the first aid kit box in a visible

WHAT IS REQUIRED

The type of first aid facilities required in your workplace are determined by :

• the laws and regulation of the state or territory you live in;

• the type of industry you work in (industries such as mining may have specific industry regulations detailing specialised instructions);

• the type of hazards present in your workplace; the number of employees in your workplace;

• the number of different locations that your workplace is spread over; the proximity to local services (doctors, hospital, ambulance).

The first aid facility should meet the needs of your workplace. Facilities can include first aid kits or sick rooms. If your workplace has rotating shifts then each shift should have it's own first aid designated person. It is also best if your workplace has more than one designated first aid officer for any given shift to cover for workplace absences.

FIRST AID KITS

First aid kits should be clearly marked and placed in a highly visible area. The names of designated first aid officers should also be listed on or near the kits. The type of first aid kit which is best for your workplace depends on the industry you work in. In some states and territories the number of first aid kits in the workplace is solely dependant on the number of staff on site. This approach may not always be appropriate if your work facilities are divided and layout of your workplace suggests this approach may not be reasonable. 

A first aid kit should be well stocked with dressings and bandages, disinfectants, fasteners , safety pins and other equipment such as resuscitation masks, scissors and splinter forceps.