PERFORM FIRST AID

2.4.1 First aid treatment of injuries are carried out according to

recommended procedures

First aid equipment and facilities should be located at convenient points and in
areas where there is a higher risk of an injury or illness occurring.
A large workplace may require first aid to be available in more than one
location if:
 work is being carried out a long distance from emergency services
 small numbers of workers are dispersed over a wide area
 access to a part of the workplace is difficult
 the workplace has more than one floor level.

Where there are separate work areas (for example, a number group houses), it
will be appropriate to locate first aid facilities in each house. This may include
portable first aid kits in motor vehicles and other separate work areas.
The distance of the workplace e from ambulance services, hospital and
medical centres should be taken into account when determining your first aid
requirements. For example, if life-threatening injuries or illnesses could occur
and timely access to emergency services cannot be assured, a person trained in
more advanced first aid techniques (such as the provision of oxygen) will be
needed.
Additional first aid considerations may be necessary for workers in remote or
isolated areas. For example, where access is difficult due to poor roads or
weather conditions, arrangements may need to include aerial evacuation. In
minimizing the risks to health and safety associated with remote or isolated
work, you must provide a system of work that includes effective
communication with the worker. This will assist in enabling an immediate
response in an emergency.

First aid kits

All workers must be able to access a first aid kit. This will require at least one
first aid kit to be provided at their workplace.
Contents
The first aid kit should provide basic equipment for administering first aid for
injuries including:
 cuts, scratches, punctures, grazes and splinters
 muscular sprains and strains
  minor burns
 amputations and/or major bleeding wounds
 broken bones
 eye injuries
 Shock.

The contents of first aid kits should be based on a risk assessment. For
example, there may be higher risk of eye injuries and a need for additional eye
pads in a workplace where:
 chemical liquids or powders are handled in open containers
 spraying, hosing or abrasive blasting operations are carried out
 there is any possibility of flying particles causing eye injuries
 there is a risk of splashing or spraying of infectious materials
 welding, cutting or machining operations are carried out.

Additional equipment may be needed for serious burns and remote workplaces.
The recommended content of a typical first aid kit and information on
additional equipment is provided in Appendix C.

First aid kits can be any size, shape or type to suit your workplace, but each
kit should:
 be large enough to contain all the necessary items
 be immediately identifiable with a white cross on green background that
is prominently displayed on the outside
 contain a list of the contents for that kit
 be made of material that will protect the contents from dust, moisture
and contamination.

In the event of a serious injury or illness, quick access to the kit is vital. First
aid kits should be kept in a prominent, accessible location and able to be
retrieved promptly. Access should also be ensured in security-controlled
workplaces. First aid kits should be located close to areas where there is a
higher risk of injury or illness. For example, an ADE with a carpentry area
should have a kit located there. Emergency floor plans displayed in the
workplace should include the location of first aid kits.
A portable first aid kit should be provided in the vehicles of mobile workers if
that is their workplace (for example, home care workers, bus drivers and case
managers). These kits should be safely located so as not to become a projectile
in the event of an accident.
A person in the workplace should be nominated to maintain the first aid kit
(usually a first aider) and should:
  monitor access to the first aid kit and ensure any items used are
replaced as soon as practicable after use
 undertake regular checks (after each use or, if the kit is not used, at
least once every 12 months) to ensure the kit contains a complete set of
the required items (an inventory list in the kit should be signed and
dated after each check)
 ensure that items are in good working order, have not deteriorated and
are within their expiry dates and that sterile products are sealed and
have not been tampered with.

Displaying well-recognised, standardised first aid signs will assist in easily

locating first aid equipment and facilities.

Other equipment
In addition to first aid kits, you should consider whether any other first aid
equipment is necessary to treat the injuries or illnesses that could occur as a
result of a hazard at your workplace.
1. Providing an automated external defibrillator can reduce the risk of
fatality from cardiac arrest and is a useful addition for workplaces where
there is a risk of electrocution or older residents.
Automated external defibrillators are designed to be used by trained or
untrained persons. They should be located in an area that is clearly visible,
accessible and not exposed to extreme temperatures. They should be clearly
signed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

2. Eye wash and shower equipment may be permanently fixed or portable,

depending on the workplace. Eye wash equipment should be provided
where there is a risk of hazardous chemicals or infectious substances
causing eye injuries.
Immediate access should be provided to shower equipment in workplaces
where there is a risk of:
 exposure to hazardous chemicals resulting in skin absorption or
contamination from infectious substances
 serious burns to a large area of the face or body (including chemical or
electrical burns or burns that are deep, in sensitive areas or greater than
a 20 cent piece).

Shower facilities can consist of:

 an appropriate deluge facility
 a permanently rigged hand-held shower hose
  a portable plastic or rubber shower hose that is designed to be easily
attached to a tap spout—for small, relatively low risk workplaces where a
fixed deluge facility would not be reasonably practicable but the risk of
serious burns is still foreseeable (for example, a cafe).

Portable, self-contained eye wash or shower units have their own flushing fluid
which needs to be refilled or replaced after use.

First aid rooms or medical centres are discussed in the Code of Practice if
required for larger workplaces e.g. ADEs.

First aiders
First aid in the workplace can be provided in a number of ways:
 training one or more of your own workers to administer first aid
 arranging for a person who does not work for you to administer first aid
to your workers provided they have been trained to do so. These may be
first aiders of other businesses who share your workplace or other
persons who are qualified to administer first aid. This will involve
consulting, co-operating and co-ordinating the access arrangements with
the other persons and ensuring that access is available at the times
when your workers carry out work (e.g. taking into account any shift
work).

Types of first aid training

First aiders should hold nationally recognised Statement/s of Attainment
issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for the nationally endorsed
first aid unit/s of competency.
‘Provide First Aid’ provides competencies required to recognise and respond to
common life-threatening injuries or illnesses, including life-support using
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and to manage the casualty and incident
until the arrival of medical or other assistance.
Additional training for first aiders
First aiders should attend training on a regular basis to refresh their first aid
knowledge and skills and to confirm their competence to provide first aid.
Refresher training in CPR should be undertaken annually and first aid
qualifications should be renewed every three years.
First aiders may also need to undertake additional first aid training to respond
to specific situations at their workplace. For example, where workers or clients
have severe allergies, first aiders should be trained to respond to anaphylaxis if
this topic has not been covered in previous first aid training.
Number of trained first aiders
The following ratios are recommended in the Code of Practice:
 low risk workplaces – one first aider for every 50 people present
 high risk workplaces – one first aider for every 25 people present.

However for workers working alone with clients you may wish to continue to
follow the practice of requiring a first aid certificate.

You should document your first aid arrangements in procedures which you
make available to workers commencement of employment and regularly and
you should review these procedures regularly to ensure they are meeting the
needs of keeping people safe.

For most workplaces, a first aid kit should include the following items:

Kit contents
Item Quantity
Instructions for providing first aid – 1
including Cardio-Pulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR) flow chart
Note book and pen 1
Resuscitation face mask or face shield 1
Disposable nitrile examination gloves 5 pairs
Gauze pieces 7.5 x 7.5 cm, sterile (3 per 5 packs
pack)
Saline (15 ml) 8
Wound cleaning wipe (single 1% 10
Cetrimide BP)
Adhesive dressing strips – plastic or 1
fabric (packet of 50)
Splinter probes (single use, disposable) 10
Tweezers/forceps 1
Antiseptic liquid/spray (50 ml) 1
Non-adherent wound dressing/pad 5 x 5 6
cm (small)
Non-adherent wound dressing/pad 7.5 x 3
10 cm (medium)
Non-adherent wound dressing/pad 10 x 1
10 cm (large)
Conforming cotton bandage, 5 cm width 3
Conforming cotton bandage, 7.5 cm 3
width
Crepe bandage 10 cm (for serious 1
bleeding and pressure application)
Scissors 1
Non-stretch, hypoallergenic adhesive 1
tape – 2.5 cm wide roll
Safety pins (packet of 6) 1
BPC wound dressings No. 14, medium 1
BPC wound dressings No. 15, large 1
Dressing – Combine Pad 9 x 20 cm 1
Plastic bags - clip seal 1
Triangular bandage (calico or cotton 2
minimum width 90 cm)
Emergency rescue blanket (for shock or 1
hypothermia)
Eye pad (single use) 4
Access to 20 minutes of clean running 5
water or (if this is not available) hydro gel
(3.5 grm sachets)
Instant ice pack (e.g. for treatment of soft 1
tissue injuries and some stings).

WELDING RELATED INJURIES