Chapter 3.4.1 – First Aid Procedures

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for the identification of hazards and risks associated with First Aid within the workplace in line with Hazard Management.

Scope

This procedure applies to all workers of our company and visitors including contractors, subcontractors, an employee of a contractor or subcontractor, an employee of a labour-hire company, an outworker, apprentice or trainee, volunteers, work experience students, and clients.

Procedure

Using the First Aid Kit

• Use the First Aid Inspection checklist to inspect the first aid kit regularly.
• First Aid Officers are to inspect the first aid kit as scheduled in the ‘Hazard Inspection Schedule’.
• For any items answered ‘No’, conduct a risk assessment using the ‘Risk Assessment Calculator’ and write down the risk level on the checklist. Any Extreme (E) or High (H) risk level must be immediately reported to the Manager and the SA to ensure that a formal, documented risk assessment may be conducted.
• Add up all of the items answered ‘No’ and the total number of each different risk level. Enter this data into the table at the end of the checklist.
• When completed, transfer all hazards that cannot be rectified immediately to the RAP.
• Forward the completed hazard inspection checklist and the RAP to the Supervisor and then to the Manager for further action (if required) and sign-off.

Note: When recommending corrective actions always consider both short term and long term control options.

• Forward the completed checklist and the RAP to the SA for further action (if required) and sign-off.
• The SA is to table the RAP at the H&S Committee meeting.
• The H&S Committee is to discuss the corrective actions and monitor if the RAP has been effectively actioned, verified and signed off.
• The Supervisor is to discuss the hazard inspection checklist and the RAP with their staff at regular toolbox or team meetings.
• Always conduct a risk assessment before any controls are implemented and a risk assessment after the controls are implemented to ensure that the risk has been reduced.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

• Don’t panic, remain calm.
• Call for help immediately.
• Organise a person to call an ambulance.
• Notify your First Aid Officer, Supervisor or Safety Advisor (if they are not available, stabilise the casualty or commence DRABCD – see below)

DRSABCD

• D - Look out for any Danger to yourself, the casualty and others.
• R - Ask the casualty for a Response (shake and shout).
• S - Send for help. Call 000 for an ambulance.
• ABC - Check, clear and open the Airway if the casualty is unconscious. Check for Breathing. Give CPR if the casualty is unconscious and not breathing.
• D - Apply Defibrillator, if available.

HOUSEKEEPING

• Always report any injury no matter how small.
• If you use/remove any items from the First Aid Kit, record this in the notebook found in the kit and record any injury on an Incident Report Form
• Keep the First Aid Kit clean and tidy.
• If you notice some items are missing or the kit is getting low on supplies, report it to your supervisor immediately.
• If you notice a first aid item that has passed its use-by date, report it to your supervisor immediately.

Definitions

• Hazard - a source of potential harm or a situation with the potential to cause injury or loss.
• H&S Committee – Health & Safety Committee
• RAP – Rectification Action Plan
• Risk - the chance of something happening that will have an impact on the workplace objectives and may result in personal injury or loss to the organisation. The risk is measured in terms of consequence and likelihood.
• SA – Safety Advisor
• Supervisor - a person involved in the management or control of a workplace (e.g. supervisor, the person in charge or leading hand).

Documents

• Incident report
• First aid kit inspection checklist