Alsco First Aid

How to Choose A First Aid Kit That Is OH&S Compliant

There are industry-specific guidelines that must be met when choosing a first aid kit for the workplace. However, every kit must contain certain first aid supplies to be in compliance with the OHS Regulations. Employers who fail to maintain properly-stocked first aid kits can face significant financial penalties and/ or possible criminal prosecution.

As an employer you should ask yourself these questions when choosing a first aid kit:

1. How many employees does your workplace have? You should have enough first aid supplies on hand to treat your employees in an emergency.
2. What type of business do you have? The risks that a business presents govern what type of first aid kit is needed. As an example, an office area has far less hazards than a construction or mining site. You should also consider whether your kit should be fixed(wall mounted), portable, soft bag, etc depending on your business. Kits should be positioned based on the relative risk level in an area.
3. Are there dangerous chemicals or products in your workplace? Specialised First Aid equipment may be necessary if your workplace sells or uses dangerous chemical products. As some chemicals present respiratory hazards for example, you may want to consider having extra CPR related material on hand. Make sure you read the products Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
4. What is your state’s legislation? Read your state’s legislation thoroughly. Its guides and codes will help you to determine what type of safety kit you need at your workplace.

First Aid Kit Essentials

As an employer YOU are responsible for ensuring that first aid kits are adequately stocked for your workplace. An ideal safety kit for your business should include:

• adhesive strapping tape
• antiseptic solution tubes
• antiseptic swabs
• a burn aid pad
• burn aid sachets
• a compression bandage
• conforming gauze bandages 5 and 10cm
• eye pads
• a sterile packet
• a first aid booklet
• sterile gauze squares
• a hospital crepe
• a reusable hot/cold pack
• a kidney bowl
• large and small non-adhesive dressing pads
• a note pad and pencil
• a personal protection pack
• a plastic bowl
• a plastic strips box
• plastic waste disposable bags
• a pocket size tissue pack
• a disposable resuscitation mask
• safety pins
• stainless steel scissors
• a sharps disposable container
• disposable splinter probes
• sterile saline solution
• disposable triangular bandages
• wound dressing

In addition, the name and telephone number of workplace first aid officers and the phone number and address of the emergency services should be inside the first aid kit.

Don’t forget to always keep a record of injuries and services provided in a first aid kit.

Additional First Aid Kits

It is incumbent upon the employer to assess whether additional first aid kits are necessary where particular hazards exist. For example, your workplace may require first aid kits that deal with injuries to the eyes or burns.

Maintenance

OH&S Regulation 2001 specifies that first aid kits must be maintained on a 3 to 6 month cycle depending on the level of risk by an external provider. Certificates should be placed in the kit to notify when the last audit was completed.