Chapter 3.4 – First Aid

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Purpose

This policy provides adv​ice on how, when and who can administer first aid under the employment of our company.

Scope

This policy applies to all company staff including contractors, temps, trainees, student work experience persons and volunteers.

Policy Statement

First Aid Kits

The first aid kit can be any size, but must be large enough to fit all the required contents and should be clearly signed.

Include single-use, disposable items in the kit where possible. Reusable items must be cleaned, sterilised and disinfected.

In remote locations a first aid kit should also include:

  • heavy smooth crepe roller bandages, 10cm wide, and sufficient quantity to bandage lower limbs to immobilise limb after a snakebite
  • splint to immobilise limb after a snakebite or fractures
  • melaleuca hydro gel burn dressings if there is no cool water supply
  • large burns sheet for covering burn areas
  • clean sheeting for cooling and dressing burns
  • thermal/emergency blanket for the management of shock and to assist portability of a patient
  • first aid manual or book
  • torch and/or flashlight for use at night and for attracting attention
  • note pad and pen/pencil for recording the injured or ill person’s condition and treatment was given
  • People working in remote locations should have access to an appropriate communication system like a mobile, telephone or two-way radio.
  • Major trauma kits may be required in certain remote locations.

A checklist on first aid kits is provided in Appendix C, of the Code of Practice 2014, First Aid in the Workplace.

First Aid Kit Location

Locations of first aid kits-:

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First Aid Risk Assessment in the Organisation

The choice of first aid facilities and services is based on the risk assessment. In making this decision, consideration should be given to:

  • Assessing the risk of injuries and illnesses by taking into account
  • The frequency (how often) the worker is exposed to the hazard;
  • The duration (how long) the worker is exposed to the hazard; and
  • The outcomes (this can range from a simple cut to a fatal injury).
  • The nature of the work that is being conducted, and the hazardous substances (if any) that are being used.
  • The size and layout of the workplace, for example:
  • The types of work being performed at different work areas.
  • The distance an injured person has to be transported to first aid facilities or hospital, and the ease in which this can be undertaken.
  • The level of first aid that is available throughout the workplace.
  • The number and distribution of workers at various workplaces

First Aid Personnel

Qualifications

Workers should have access to trained first aid personnel who undertake the initial management of work caused injuries or illnesses. If ongoing medical care or special medical assistance, for example, trauma counselling, is required, the first aid personnel should recommend that a worker seeks further assistance.

The decision to train personnel in first aid should be based on the outcome of the risk management process.

There should be sufficient first aid personnel for all shift workers. When this is not appropriate, procedures should be put in place to ensure workers have access to first aid treatment on all shifts. Examples include having access to emergency transport or having special arrangements with a local medical centre. All staff should know these procedures.

First aid personnel should be:

  • able to remain calm in an emergency
  • reliable
  • able to complete the required studies and
  • able to use the knowledge and skills gained

Obligations of a First Aid Officer

Appointed First Aid Officers are responsible for restocking and maintaining first aid supplies.

This includes:

  • Regularly evaluating the first aid facilities and services.
  • Checking the level of stock in First Aid Kits and use by dates on items, restocking and replenishing contents.
  • Recommending actions about the use, contents, modification and maintenance of the First Aid Kits.
  • Supplying first aid kits for the office, field locations and work vehicles.

First Aid Rooms

In all the company’s site and facilities, where first aid rooms are provided, our company shall ensure:

a risk assessment shows that treatment for injuries or illnesses would be more effective with the provision of a first aid room, or

200 or more people are employed (Australian Building Codes Board), a casualty room with a minimum floor area of 11 m2 dedicated to first aid is required for all new buildings built after 1 January 1992 and any building subject to building approval.

The room should:

  • be available when workers are at work
  • be close to motor vehicle access (This will help with transport to medical assistance)
  • be close to toilets and telephones
  • be large enough to accommodate furniture/equipment with enough space for people to work
  • have effective ventilation, heating, cooling and lighting
  • have enough seating close to the first aid room if workers are waiting for treatment
  • have a designated waste container for waste contaminated by blood or body substances which allows for the safe disposal of materials and sharp instruments. Waste disposal should comply with State or local government requirements
  • have clean bench tops/floors/surfaces
  • have hand basin, running water and supplies of soap and disposable paper towels
  • be clearly identified as a first aid room
  • have entrances and corridors wide enough to fit a stretcher, wheelchair or any kind of transport leading to or from the room
  • have signs attached to the door showing the name of the person in charge, the person on duty, the locations of the nearest first aid personnel and contact numbers in case of emergency.

A person with a current occupational first aid qualification (or higher qualification), should be responsible for the room and its contents, assessing requirements, and maintaining facilities and equipment.

First Aid Signage

First Aid Kits and First Aid Rooms should be clearly marked with first aid signs.

Where practicable, First Aid Officer’s names should be displayed near or adjacent to the First Aid Kit/s.

Up to date list of the telephone numbers for emergency personnel and organisations.

All signs must conform to the Austraila standard, AS 1319:1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.

Definitions

  • First Aid Officer - The First Aid Officer is a person with a recognised First Aid qualification.

Documentation

  • Incident report
  • First aid kit inspection checklist