First aid in the workplace

The following information provides a brief overview of first aid requirements in the workplace. For more detailed infomation including checklists and questionnaires, please refer to the following publication.

 A guide to First Aid in the Workplace

Employer's responsibilities

Under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, you may be required to provide:

• first aid facilities including a first aid kit, a first aid room and/or first aid equipment
• first aid services including training and information.

A risk management process should be undertaken to determine the first aid requirement for your workplace.

Responsiblilites for employers regarding first aid are specified under Section 9 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.

Risk management process

Use the SAFE steps to determine the first aid requirements for your workplace.

Please contact the Helpline if you require assistance to locate a qualified professional to do your first aid risk assessment.

First aiders

A first aider is a worker with first aid training and responsibilities on top of their normal work duties.

First aiders make the initial treatment of people suffering injury or illness at work. They are not responsible for ongoing medical care. The treatment they provide can only equal the level of first aid training and competence they have — no more. When in doubt, a first aider should always seek medical help.

You the employer should keep records of all first aid treatment given.

How many?

While there is no rule for the number of first aiders in a workplace, it’s recommended you train at least two workers to be first aiders.

First aid training

First aiders in a workplace should have successfully completed an approved training course and should undertake regular training to ensure their knowledge and skills are kept up to date.

For more information, go to the National Training Information Service website.

First aid kits

Following your first aid assessment of your workplace, you are responsible for providing first aid kits appropriate to your workplace.

You should nominate someone — usually an appropriately trained first aider — to be responsible for:

• using the kit
• making sure the kit is in good condition
• making sure the kit’s contents are restocked or replaced when necessary.

Items past their use by or expiry date must not be used and must be properly disposed of.

How many and where?

Your first aid assessment will help you to determine the number of first aid kits you will need. Remember the physical size and location of your workplace and the location of your workers across the workplace. Your workers should be able to easily access these kits.

As a guide, consider providing at least one first aid kit for every workplace with up to 100 workers. For very large workplaces there should be at least one kit for every 100 workers in an area at any one time. Portable first aid kits should be provided for those working away from your main workplace.

Container

The container should protect the contents of the kit from dust and damage. If any extra first aid modules are included, the container should be large enough to hold them, though preferably in separate compartments. The container should be easily recognisable: for example, with a white cross predominantly displayed on a green background. It should not be locked.

Contents of a basic kit

While first aid kits should meet the specific safety needs of your workplace (as highlighted in your first aid assessment of your workplace) and will therefore vary from one workplace to the next, a basic kit might include:

• adhesive tape (hypoallergenic)
• antiseptic solution (single use only)
• approved EAR (expired air resuscitation) mask (reusable or single use)
• burn dressings
• conforming roller bandages
• crepe bandages
• drinking vessel
• elastic dressing strips
• important information including basic first aid notes and contact details for emergency services and first aiders
• gauze swabs
• hygienically clean plastic bags
• notebook and pen for recording treatment given
• protective equipment such as disposable gloves, aprons and, where applicable, eye protection
• safety pins
• scissors
• splinter forceps, tweezers
• sterile eye pads
• sterile saline solutions (single use only) for cleaning wounds and as an eye wash
• triangular bandages

Where particular hazards exist that are specific to your workplace, you should make sure medical services with the facilities to deal with these hazards are available. 

Additional modules such as eye modules, burns modules or remote location kits may also be required.

More information

For detailed information regarding this topic, please refer to the publication below or contact the Helpline as below.

 A Guide to First Aid in the Workplace

Provides practical guidance — including checklists, questionnaires and the four SAFE steps of hazard management — to help workplaces choose the most appropriate first aid facilities and services. Explains options for first aid kits, rooms and centres, training and first aider staff.

Checklists and forms

Checklists and forms have been produced to assist small business in risk assessment within the workplace. Use the link above to view those available.