A Guide to

FIRST
in the
AID
Workplace
 Acknowledgments

A guide to first aid in the workplace has been

adapted from information produced by the Health
and Safety Organisation, Victoria published by
AGPS Publications, Victoria.

Workplace Standards Tasmania wishes to thank

Australian Red Cross and St John Ambulance
Australia for their assistance in reviewing the
information for this guide.
 CONTENTS.

Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4

Other sources of information ................................................................................................4

Definition of terms .................................................................................................................4

Using the safe steps to determine the first aid requirements for your workplace ........................5

Step 1 — Spot the hazard ......................................................................................................5

First aid assessment checklist .........................................................................................................8

Step 2 — Assess the risk ........................................................................................................9

Step 3 — Fix the problem ......................................................................................................9

Step 4 — Evaluate results ......................................................................................................9

2 
 CONTENTS.

Communicating first aid in the workplace .....................................................................................10

First aid kits ..................................................................................................................................11

First aid rooms ..............................................................................................................................13

Health centres ...............................................................................................................................14

First aid manuals ...........................................................................................................................14

First aiders ....................................................................................................................................14

First aid training ............................................................................................................................15

Levels of workplace first aid certificates ..........................................................................15

Training criteria .....................................................................................................................16

3 
 INTRODUCTION. DEFINITION OF TERMS
First aid in the workplace means providing
A guide to first aid in the workplace the initial treatment and life support for
provides practical information for people suffering injury or illness at work.
employers to meet the requirements of First aid facilities include a first aid kit, a
Section 9 of the Workplace Health and first aid room and/or first aid equipment.
Safety Act 1995.
First aid services include providing first aid
Under this section of the Act, as an personnel and first aid training, information
employer you may be required to provide: and supervision for workers.
• first aid facilities including a first aid kit, Hazard identification means evaluating
a first aid room and/or first aid the hazards in a workplace to enable
equipment decisions to be made about appropriate
• first aid services including training and control measures, induction, training,
information. monitoring and health surveillance that may
What actually needs to be provided flows be required to protect the health of
from the risk management process which employees in the workplace.
is described later. Material safety data sheet (or MSDS) is a
document that describes the properties and
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION uses of a substance: its identity, chemical
and physical properties, health hazard
The information contained in this booklet is information, precautions for use and safe
a guide only and should be read in handling information.
conjunction with the Workplace Health and
Safety Act 1995 (the Act) and its associated A workplace is any premises or place
regulations. (including any mine, aircraft, vessel or
vehicle) where an employee, contractor or
Specialist practitioners and first aid training self-employed person is or was employed or
providers can help you decide the first aid engaged in industry.
facilities and services needed in your
workplace.

They can also provide information about

hazards, injuries and illnesses relevant to
your workplace.

A good starting point is calling the

Workplace Standards Tasmania Helpline on
1300 366 322.

4 
 As you assess the first aid needs of your
USING THE SAFE STEPS TO. workplace, consider the following factors:
DETERMINE THE FIRST AID.
REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR. • nature of hazards and level of risk
WORKPLACE. • size and layout of the workplace
• location of the workplace
First aid in the workplace means providing • your workers in the workplace
the initial treatment and life support for • known occurrences of injury and
people suffering an injury or illness at work. illness.
To determine what first aid facilities and Nature of hazards and level of risk
services are appropriate for your
Certain workplaces have greater risks of
workplace, you should apply the SAFE
injury and illness due to the nature of the
steps of risk management:
work being done there. For example, a
• Spot the hazard — identify the possible library may require lesser first aid facilities
causes of injuries and work-related than a factory. There is no single first aid
illnesses in your workplace option that fits all workplaces.
• Assess the risk — of workplace injuries Where a workplace stores or uses toxic or
or illnesses occurring corrosive chemicals, additional first aid
• Fix the problem — by working out the facilities and services may need to be
appropriate first aid facilities and provided to treat specific injuries,
training required for your workplace particularly if this is specified in the
• Evaluate results. relevant material safety data sheet.
Facilities may need to include emergency
STEP 1 — SPOT THE HAZARD showers, eyewash stations, poison
antidotes and additional first aid modules
Under the Workplace Health and Safety (examples of special modules are given in
Regulations 1998, you will need to do a First aid kits on page 10 of this guide).
hazard identification assessment. Walk
First aid personnel should also be trained to
around your workplace and use the first aid
handle industry-specific injuries.
assessment checklist (on page 7) to find the
hazards in your workplace. It is Size and layout of the workplace
recommended that you maintain written
records of this information — for reviewing Consider the kind of work being performed
first aid facilities and training needs, and if at different work areas.
any legal issues about first aid in the Work out how far an injured or ill person
workplace arise. has to be transported to first aid and how
easily this can be done.

5 
First aid facilities and services should be Your workers in the workplace
located at points convenient to workers. A
You need to consider the number and
workplace with a large physical area may
distribution of your workers and
need first aid facilities and services in more
arrangements such as shiftwork, overtime
than one location, especially if:
and flexible hours.
• the workplace is a long distance from
If workers work away from your workplace,
accident and emergency facilities
you need to consider:
• small numbers of workers are spread
over a wide area • if workers work alone or in groups
• access to treatment is difficult • what access they have to telephone or
emergency radio communications
• a workplace is on more than one
building level. • the kind of work they are doing.
Where there are separate work areas, it may You could consider providing small
be appropriate to locate the main first aid portable first aid kits to these workers.
facilities centrally and provide portable first They should be told about the kits’:
aid kits in each work area.
• contents
Location of the workplace • location
The time taken for medical aid to reach the • access arrangements.
casualty is more significant than distance. If languages other than English are used in
If it takes more than half an hour to get an your workplace, you must provide first aid
injured or ill person to an ambulance, information in these languages.
hospital, medical centre or occupational
Do you have more than one shift in your
health services, you may need a suitably
workplace? First aid facilities and trained
trained first aider in your workplace.
staff should be available whenever workers
Workplaces in remote areas should have are working, and at an appropriate level for
additional first aid facilities and services. the number of workers on each shift. While
You may need to: the number of people working overtime
may be fewer than on a regular shift, the
• plan around poor roads
additional work hours can heighten fatigue,
• plan around potential bad weather which can increase the risk of accidents
conditions and injuries.
• organise aerial transport to evacuate an
If your workplace is a school, museum,
injured or ill worker
library or sporting venue where the public
• make sure you have efficient and may be present, you may need to consider
reliable communications systems, to additional first aid services and facilities.
ensure the best response time in any
medical emergency situation.

6 
Known occurrences of injury • job design
and illness • manual handling
Reviewing data of the following may help • tool design
you identify problem areas: • work station design
• accidents 4 — Radiation hazards
• injuries • infra-red
• illness • ionising
• near misses. • microwaves
However, you should not rely solely on this • non-ionising
data, as it covers past occurrences that may • ultra-violet
not reliably indicate potential injuries and
illnesses. 5 — Psychological hazards
• dealing with the public
Types of hazards
• discrimination
A hazard is anything that can hurt your • harassment
health and safety. The six major types of
• low level constant noise
hazards are:
• shift work
1 — Physical hazards
• threat of danger
• electrical • work load
• fire/explosion
6 — Biological hazards
• heat and cold
• bacteria
• machine guarding
• infections
• noise
• viruses
• nuisance dust
This list is taken from Workplace Standards
• vibration Tasmania’s Annotated Workplace Health and
• working space Safety Regulations 1998.
2 — Chemical hazards To summarise, the following first aid
• dust assessment checklist will help you spot the
• fumes hazard.

• gases
• liquids
• solids
• vapours
3 — Ergonomic hazards
• equipment design
7 
 FIRST AID ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST.

What type of workplace is it? Have you checked MSDS and product
labels?
What type of work is done here?
How long does it take for emergency
What is the industry level of risk? services to reach the workplace?
What size is the area of the workplace? How long does it take to reach the
nearest medical service or hospital?
Is the workplace located on more than
one level? What is the current number of accidents
and injuries that have happened in your
What is the access in to and out from
workplace?
the workplace?
Has this number increased or
What is the access in to and out from
decreased from previous years?
different levels of the workplace?
What are the most frequent injuries your
How many workers work here?
workers suffer?
How many shifts operate here?
Are there jobs in your workplace prone
How many workers are on each shift? to more injuries or to particular injuries?

Is overtime worked? How frequently? What is the maximum distance to first

How much? aid within your workplace?

Are there workers for whom English is a Are first aid facilities identified in a
foreign language? manner understandable by all workers?

Are there isolated areas in the Do workers have ready access to first
workplace where employees are aid facilities and first aid staff?
required to work alone?
Are there written procedures for medical
What communication and supervision is emergencies?
there with workers in isolated areas?
Have you told relevant personnel about
Does the public have access to the these emergency procedures?
workplace? If yes, where?
Are extra modules required for the first
Are there any controls in place to monitor aid kit to cover circumstances specific
third party access to the workplace? to your workplace?

Do any of the six major types of hazards

occur in your workplace?

8 
 STEP 2 — ASSESS THE RISK • the first aid services you need, including
how many first aiders you need, the
Risk is the likelihood of a hazard actually training workers need to know about
harming someone in the workplace. the first aid facilities and service in their
Your checklist may be surprisingly long, workplace, and the training workers
with some hazards posing more safety risks need to become first aiders in their
than others. That’s why you must work out workplace
which hazards are more serious than • the policies, procedures and processes
others, so you can deal with those first. The for using first aid facilities and services.
most important questions to ask are:
Information about first aid facilities and first
• how likely is the hazard to cause aid services is provided on pages 10-15.
someone harm? Could it happen at any
time? Or is it unlikely to ever happen?
STEP 4 — EVALUATE RESULTS
• what could a potential injury or illness be?
• how severe could this injury or illness Use the first aid assessment checklist (on
be? What is the worst possible damage page 7) as part of a regular review to
the hazard could cause to someone’s make sure your first aid facilities and
health? Would it require simple first aid services continue to meet your workplace
only, or could it kill or cause permanent requirements.
ill health or disability? You should also ask questions such as:
• how many first aiders are needed? More
STEP 3 — FIX THE PROBLEM
than are currently trained?
You should now have enough information • what are the first aid skills and
to help you determine: competencies required?
• the first aid facilities you need to select, • are more first aid kits required?
provide and maintain, including the • should first aid kits be located in
number, location and contents of first different places?
aid kits and any additional modules, and
• are first aid kits well maintained and
whether a first aid room or health
identifiable?
centre is required
• are first aid rooms or health centres well
maintained?
✃

9 
 Informing your workers
COMMUNICATING FIRST AID.
IN THE WORKPLACE. What information is needed

You should provide information and

The health and safety committee instructions to workers about:

Section 26 of the Act states that where there • the arrangements for first aid facilities
are more than 20 workers at a workplace an at the workplace
employer, if asked to, must form a health • the location of first aid kits
and safety committee. • the names and location of trained first
A health and safety committee should: aiders.

• aid consultation and co-operation How to provide this information

between the employer and workers You should provide this information at all
• initiate, develop and put into practice inductions and whenever there is a change
the solutions for protecting workplace in the kind or type of duties performed
health and safety. which may impact on the first aid
requirements.
Consultation
Signs are a way of providing this
Consultation with the health and safety
information. See the Australian Standard
committee, employees’ safety
AS 1319 — 1994 Safety signs for the
representative and workers is an important
occupational environment.
part of assessing the first aid needs of your
workplace. Consultation should: If languages other than English are used in
your workplace, you must provide first aid
• address all aspects related to providing
information in these languages.
first aid in the workplace
• happen as early as possible when you
are planning to introduce new first aid
facilities and services or change existing
ones. This allows any issues that arise to
be incorporated into your plans, and
gives everyone involved plenty of time to
consider the information and discuss it
with you.

10 
 The container should be easily recog-
FIRST AID KITS. nisable: for example, with a white cross
predominantly displayed on a green
Who is responsible background. It should not be locked.

Following your first aid assessment of your Contents of a basic kit

workplace, you are responsible for providing
While first aid kits should meet the specific
first aid kits appropriate to your workplace.
safety needs of your workplace (as
You should nominate someone — usually highlighted in your first aid assessment of
the trained first aider — to be responsible your workplace) and will therefore vary
for: from one workplace to the next, a basic kit
should include:
• using the kit
• adhesive tape
• making sure the kit is in good condition
• antiseptic cleaning solution
• making sure the kit’s contents are
restocked or replaced when necessary. • antiseptic cream
Items past their use by or expiry date • approved type of EAR mask or similar
must not be used and must be properly
• basic first aid notes
disposed of.
• burn dressings
How many and where
• conforming roller bandages
Remember the physical size and location of
• cotton wool
your workplace and the location of your
workers across the workplace. Your • crepe bandage
workers should be able to easily access • disposable gloves
these kits.
• drinking vessel
As a guide, there should be one first aid kit • elastic dressing strips
for every 100 workers in an area at any one
• emergency services telephone numbers
time.
and addresses
Portable first aid kits should be provided for • eye wash solutions (single use only)
those working away from your main
• gauze swabs
workplace.
• hygienically clean plastic bags
Container
• name and telephone number of
The container should protect the contents workplace first aiders
of the kit from dust and damage. If any • notebook and pen (for recording
extra first aid modules are included, the treatment given)
container should be large enough to hold
them, though preferably in separate • scissors
compartments. • splinter forceps, tweezers

11 
• sterile eye pads Burns module
• triangular bandages This extra module should be included in
• waterproof adhesive tape. first aid kits for any workplace with the risk
Where particular hazards exist that are of a worker sustaining a serious burn. For
specific to your workplace, you should example, where:
make sure medical services with the • chemical acids or alkalines are used
facilities to deal with these hazards are
• flammable liquids are used
available. The following additional modules
may also be required. • heat is used
• other corrosive chemicals are used.
Eye module
Even with a burns module in your first aid
This extra module should be included in kit, you should still install drench showers if
first aid kits for any workplace where: your first aid assessment of your workplace
• chemical liquids or powders are handled showed a risk of burns occurring.
in open containers A burns module should include:
• spraying, hosing, compressed air or • burns dressings of assorted sizes
abrasive blasting operations are carried
• clean sheeting for covering burns. The
out
size of dressings and sheeting should be
• there is any possibility of flying particles determined by the kind of the hazards in
• welding, cutting or machining your workplace
operations are carried out • guidance notes.
• wearing eye protection is
You should clearly identify the burn module
recommended.
container’s contents and purpose.
Even with an eye module in your first aid
kit, you should still install eyewash facilities Remote location kits
if your first aid assessment of your A basic first aid kit for workers in remote
workplace showed a risk of eye injuries locations might include the following extra
occurring. items:
An eye module should include: • broad crepe bandages for snake bites
• adhesive tape • cervical collar for spinal/neck injuries
• eye wash solution (single use only) • emergency reference manual
• guidance notes • clean sheeting for covering burns
• sterile eye pads. • thermal blanket for treating shock
You should clearly identify the eye module • torch or flashlight
container’s contents and purpose. • whistle for attracting attention.

12 
Again, the contents will vary depending on • a first aid kit suitable for your
your first aid assessment of your workplace
workplace. A worker working alone in an • a medical examination couch with
isolated environment may need to carry an blankets and pillow
industry-specific kit at all times.
• a removable screen
Other useful modules • a sharps container
Talk with first aid professionals or supply • a sink and wash basin with hot and cold
companies if the first aid assessment of running water
your workplace shows other first aid
• a steriliser
modules are needed.
• a stretcher
• a workbench or dressing trolley
FIRST AID ROOMS. • an examination lamp
• appropriate resuscitation equipment
As a guide, there should be a first aid room
• cupboards for storing medication,
if 150 or more workers are present at any
dressing and linen
one time.
• electric power points
The room should:
• suitable seating.
• be set aside for first aid purposes and You should nominate someone — usually
no other use the trained first aider — to be responsible
• be well lit and well ventilated for the room and its contents.
• be at least 14 square metres in size This person should be available at all times
• have easy access to toilets while the number of workers at the
• be easily accessed by workers being workplace exceeds 150.
moved or supported by a stretcher or If there are less than 150 people and the first
wheelchair. aid room is closed, then first aid kits and the
The contents of the first aid room should person responsible for first aid should be
include: available. Workers should know about these
changed arrangements.
• a container for soiled dressings
• a desk, telephone and emergency
telephone numbers

13 
 HEALTH CENTRES. FIRST AID MANUALS.

Where the number of workers at a These are valuable references for first aid in
workplace exceeds 300 at any one time, a the workplace. However, having a manual
health centre should be provided. This does not replace having a trained first aider
centre should be under the control of a in the workplace.
general registered nurse. Depending on the
industry, the number of workers employed
and work schedules, you may need to have FIRST AIDERS.
more than one general registered nurse on
site at any one time.
A first aider is a worker with first aid
A health centre should: training and responsibilities on top of their
normal work duties.
• be clear of any general thoroughfare
• be easily accessed by workers and First aiders make the initial treatment of
internal and external transport (for people suffering injury and illness at work.
example, an ambulance) They are not responsible for ongoing
medical care. The treatment they provide
• be in a clean area away from hazardous
operations can only equal the level of first aid training
and competence they have — no more.
• be made of moisture-resistant materials; When in doubt, a first aider should always
be free from cracks, ledges and sharp
seek medical help.
angles; and be easy to clean
• be at ground level You the employer should keep records of all
first aid treatment given.
• be self contained
• have a floor area of at least 45 square How many
metres While there is no rule for the number of first
• have a treatment room at least 14 square aiders in a workplace, it’s recommended you
metres in size train at least two workers to be first aiders.
• have a separate office / consulting room
• have a separate recovery room
• have a separate waiting room
• be stocked with the same equipment
listed for a first aid room
• have a storeroom or storage cupboards
• have a toilet with airlock and a wash
basin with hot and cold running water.

14 
 FIRST AID TRAINING. LEVELS OF WORKPLACE
FIRST AID CERTIFICATES

Information from your first aid assessment Level 1 Workplace First Aid
of your workplace will help you decide Certificate — Emergency Life Support
what training your first aiders will need to — 6 hour minimum
suit your workplace and its particular risks
This course trains first aiders in the
of injury and illness. Topics should include:
emergency first aid procedures to be used
• first aid kits: their contents and use in the first few minutes after a life
• eye irrigation threatening incident.

• poisons Where the risk of serious injury or illness is

• purchasing first aid supplies low, first aiders should have competencies in
first aid procedures for the type of injury and
• recognising illness
illness they are most likely to have in their
• resuscitation workplace and in first aid procedures for life
• simple record keeping threatening situations and emergencies.
• standard precautions to minimise the They will learn how to record details of any
spread of infectious diseases when first aid treatment given, and become
treating wounds (refer to the National familiar with the relevant legislation.
Health and Safety Council’s website for
relevant publications at Level 2 Workplace First Aid Certificate
[Link]/OHSInformation/ — Basic First Aid — 16 hour minimum
NOHSCPublications or contact the Where there is a higher risk of serious injury
Department of Community and Health or illness, first aiders should (in addition to
Services) those skills gained at level 1) have broader
• transporting casualties competencies. This includes a wider
• treating and controlling bleeding knowledge of the hazards of the working
environment, OHS legislation, first aid room
• treating burns and scalds
requirements and equipment use.
• treating injuries to bones, muscles and
joints First aiders at these higher-risk workplaces
are also responsible for advising their
• treating minor injuries
employer on first aid procedures and
• treating shock in an unconscious facilities (including first aid kits, rooms and
casualty. equipment) and maintaining these facilities.
First aiders need regular training programs They will learn how to record details of any
to ensure their knowledge and skills are first aid treatment given, and become
kept up to date. Regular training also familiar with the relevant legislation.
ensures first aiders use currently accepted
first aid practices and techniques.

15 
Level 3 Workplace First Aid TRAINING CRITERIA
Certificate — Occupational First Aid
— 28 hour minimum • Workplace first aid training courses
must be approved by the Tasmanian
In certain high-risk situations, you should State Training Authority (TASTA).
consider providing an occupational health
• Training instructors should hold current
service for managing injuries and adverse
accreditation issued by approved
health effects of workplace exposures to
national authorities.
substances such as lead, pesticides and
infectious diseases. In these workplaces • Certificates required for levels 1, 2 and 3
(and particularly where the number of should be current and achieved by
workers exceeds 300) you may consider successfully completing an approved
employing a full-time occupational health course.
professional with relevant first aid • Criteria and mechanisms of approving
experience, such as a registered nurse or the above courses and lists of approved
medical practitioner. course providers are available from
TASTA.
This course further develops the skills
gained from levels 1 and 2. First aiders will • First aiders renewing, upgrading or
gain a broad knowledge of the hazards of obtaining further qualifications should
the working environment, revise emergency undertake the appropriate certificate
care techniques, and learn OHS legislation level as discussed above.
and first aid room requirements. • Level 1, 2 and 3 certificates are valid for
The course should focus on first aid in three years. First aiders must complete
specific industries and be flexible enough a refresher course before their
to meet the needs of first aiders from certificate expires in order to validate
different workplaces. their certificate for a further three years.
• In accordance with Australian
Resuscitation Council Policy 9.1.1, first
aiders must complete an annual
refresher course in cardio-pulmonary
resuscitation to maintain their
proficiency.
• Refresher courses may be shorter than a
standard course, provided the course
objectives are achieved. Additional
subjects may be included where
appropriate.

16 
17 
 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:..
WORKPLACE STANDARDS TASMANIA

HOBART
30 Gordons Hill Rd (PO Box 56)
Rosny Park Tasmania 7018

LAUNCESTON
Henty House, 1 Civic Square
Launceston Tasmania 7250

BURNIE
Reece House, 46 Mount St (PO Box 287)
Burnie Tasmania 7320

1300 366 322

(inside Tasmania)
(03) 6233 7657 (outside Tasmania)

Fax: (03) 6233 8338

Website: [Link]
Email: wstinfo@[Link]

GB119
April 2003