First aid kits are a standard requirement for most industries and statutory government agency, SafeWork Australia, has made it mandatory that workers have access to a first aid kit in the workplace. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. SafeWork Australia, a statutory government agency, has made the availability of first aid kits in the workplace mandatory. We’ll list the items that every workplace should have in their first aid kit.
Workplace requirements
First aid measures vary depending on the business. You should know your expectations for first aid and make sure they are met. The more hazards that exist in your workplace, the greater the need for first aid. It is important to carry out a first aid risk evaluation. You should focus on:
- Hazards
- The size
- Location
First aid strategies should be adapted to the size, location and hazards of the workplace.
Workplace First Aid Essentials
All workplace first aid kits must contain certain essential items.
Your first aid supplies Australia should reflect the number of employees in your workplace. Your first aid kit should be sized according to the size of your workplace, and how many people may require it. A small kit is not enough to treat a large group of people. You will have to constantly replace the items and this is unsafe. First aid kits must include basic items that can be used to treat workplace injuries.
- Burns
- Cuts and Wounds
- Sprains and strains of the muscles
- Broken or fractured bones
- Eye injuries
- Remove splinters, debris and other skin particles
- In the eyes, foreign objects like dirt can cause irritation.
- Control bleeding
- Abrasions, punctures and dents
- Shock
- Covering and cleaning cuts, abrasions and punctures
- Snake and spider bites
All staff should have easy access to your first kit. The first kit should be clearly visible to everyone in the office. The label should have a large cross in white on a red, green or blue background. It should also be legible. It is important that your kit be high-quality to protect the contents from damage caused by dirt and moisture. SafeWork Australia recommends that your workplace first-aid kits contain at least the following:
- A notepad, an instruction booklet and a pencil
- Saline solution
- Disposable gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Adhesive Plasters
- Medical grade tweezers
- Splinter removers for single-use
- Gauze available in different sizes
- There are many sizes and styles of bandages in both elastic and non-stretch.
- Dressing pads
- Antiseptic cream/lotion
- Adhesive tape hypoallergenic
- Eye pads
- Face shield CPR
- Safety pins
- Rescue blanket
- SAM splint
- Instant heat and cold packs
- Antiseptic wipes
First aid kits should reflect the higher risk of certain workplace injuries. For instance, workers who use abrasive chemical should have extra equipment like an eye wash station or extra eye pads.
You can find more information on the SafeWork site if you’re unsure what first-aid measures are required at your workplace.
You must also provide first aid training, and have first aiders on hand at all times. This is true regardless of time, location or shift.
First aiders trained in the workplace
A first aid kit is always useful in the workplace, but the more people who know how to use one, the better. Not all industries require first aid training. First aiders in the workplace can either be employees of the company, or trained individuals.
The following should be the minimum qualifications of first aiders at work:
- Certificate of First Aid Training – Nationally Recognized
- To ensure that their certification is up-to-date, they should undergo regular training in order to keep their knowledge and skills current.
First aiders may need additional training if they:
- Working in a remote or isolated location
- Psychological risks are present in the workplace
- Existing medical conditions of employees
- Children at work
How many first-aiders do you need at your workplace?
SafeWork Australia states that:
- For every 50 workers, there should be one first aider in a low-risk workplace.
- One first aider per 25 workers is recommended in high-risk workplaces
- For every 10 remote workers, there should be a first aider.
It should be easy for workers to recognize and locate first aiders. You can do this by having the first aid wear a high-visibility vest or displaying a phone number.
A defibrillator is an additional piece of first-aid equipment that business owners can consider, but it’s not essential. If CPR is not started in the first few seconds, cardiac arrest can be fatal. A defibrillator can save a life. CPR training is a great addition to first aid at work. CPR training also includes how to use defibrillators. If you want to complete both first aid and CPR in a single day, that is possible.
Is your workplace equipped with everything you need to administer first aid?
It is important to understand that the contents of a workplace first aid kit will vary depending on whether it is a high-risk environment such as a mining site or a low-risk one such as an office.
First Aid Shop has all the workplace kits and supplies you need! Hansaplast India offers a variety of first aid kits and braces, as well as wound healing plasters. First aid administered correctly and promptly can have a positive impact on health and, in some cases, even save lives.
