OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY:

FIRST AID
Policy number <<insert number>> Version <<insert number>>
Drafted by <<insert name>> Approved by Board on <<insert date>>
Responsible person <<insert name>> Scheduled review date <<insert date>>

INTRODUCTION
First aid is an important aspect of Occupational Health and Safety. In recognition of this,
[Name of Organisation] is committed to providing suitably trained First Aid Officers, together
with first aid facilities to administer first aid treatment.
This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, and contractors of [Name of Organisation],
and to visitors.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to provide an overview for [Name of Organisation] to
establish first aid facilities and services for the organisation.

DEFINITIONS
First aid is the provision of emergency treatment for people suffering injury or illness at
work.
First aid facilities refers to the first aid kit and/or first aid room.

POLICY
[Name of Organisation] is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for
employees, volunteers, contractors and visitors. [Name of Organisation] will endeavour to
provide appropriate and adequate first aid treatment in the event of a person sustaining a
work-related injury or illness.

Policies can be established or altered only by the Board: Procedures may be altered by the CEO.

DISCLAIMER: While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author(s)
or Our Community, its staff, volunteers or partners, for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. The material provided in
this resource has been prepared to provide general information only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substitute for
legal or other professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by the author(s) or Our Community or its partners for any
known or unknown consequences that may result from reliance on any information provided in this publication.
[Name of Organisation] will systematically identify causes of work injury and work-related
illness and assess the risk of work injuries and work-related illness occurring. The
appropriate first aid facilities and training will be determined, evaluated and provided.
[Name of Organisation] will meet first aid legislative requirements as a minimum standard.
[Name of Organisation] will give all designated First Aid Officers the opportunity to be
vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
First aid facilities will be maintained on a regular basis.

AUTHORISATION
<Signature of Board Secretary>
<Date of approval by the Board>
[Name of Organisation]

Policies can be established or altered only by the Board: Procedures may be altered by the CEO.

DISCLAIMER: While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author(s)
or Our Community, its staff, volunteers or partners, for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. The material provided in
this resource has been prepared to provide general information only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substitute for
legal or other professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by the author(s) or Our Community or its partners for any
known or unknown consequences that may result from reliance on any information provided in this publication.
 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES:
FIRST AID

Procedures number <<insert number>> Version <<insert number>>

Drafted by <<insert name>> Approved by CEO on <<insert date>>
Responsible person <<insert name>> Scheduled review date <<insert date>>

RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of the CEO to ensure that:
 adequate and appropriate first aid facilities are provided;
 appropriate and adequate training is arranged for First Aid Officers;
 First Aid Officers’ training is up to date and their certificates current.

It is the responsibility of First Aid Officers to:

 inspect and maintain first aid facilities;
 in the case of a work injury or work-related illness, assess if medical assistance is required;
 administer appropriate first aid in accordance with their training;
 maintain first aid records as outlined in this procedure;
 maintain confidentiality with regard to information obtained as part of their role.

PROCEDURES
Managers are required to determine the number of First Aid Officers required for each worksite. This
should be done through discussions with the Human Resources Department who will advise what
legislative requirements exist.
First aid emergency drills should be included as part of the emergency evacuation drill process.

First Aid Officers

If First Aid Officers are deemed necessary for the site, management should determine which
employees would like to be trained as the site First Aid Officer.
The appropriate manager or supervisor will then arrange training for First Aid Officers.
A copy of the First Aid Officers’ qualifications are to be kept on their personnel file.
The name, photograph and extension number of all First Aid Officers is to be located next to the first
aid facilities.
Policies can be established or altered only by the Board: Procedures may be altered by the CEO.

DISCLAIMER: While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author(s) or Our Community, its
staff, volunteers or partners, for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. The material provided in this resource has been prepared to provide general
information only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substitute for legal or other professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by the
author(s) or Our Community or its partners for any known or unknown consequences that may result from reliance on any information provided in
this publication.
 FIRST AID

First aid facilities

The level of first aid facilities should be determined through discussions with the Human Resources
Department, which will determine the type of facility required by law.
Where first aid facilities are deemed necessary, they are to be located at points convenient
throughout the workplace and where there is a significant risk of an injury occurring.
First aid facilities must be identified with a sign hung directly above. The sign must have a white
cross on a green background. The sign must be Australian Standard Compliant (AS1319).

First aid kit

The contents of the first aid kit must be protected from dust and damage, and be kept in a container
which clearly identifies the contents and purpose. The container must be easily recognisable (for
example, a white cross on a green background prominently displayed on the outside) and should not
be locked.
The following items should be included, as a minimum, in a basic first aid kit:
 emergency services telephone numbers and addresses;
 name, photograph and telephone number of First Aid Officers (should be displayed on the
outside of kit);
 basic first aid notes;
 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressing;
 sterile eye pads;
 sterile covering for serious wounds;
 triangular bandages;
 safety pins;
 small, medium and large sterile un-medicated wound dressing;
 adhesive tape;
 elastic or crepe bandages;
 scissors;
 disposable latex gloves;
 approved resuscitation face mask fitted with a 1-way valve;
 eye wash (once-only use container) & guidance notes;
 disposable face masks;
 protective eye glasses;
 disposal bags marked “Caution – Biological Hazard”.
The first aid kit, and, where appropriate, first aid facilities, must be inspected by the First Aid Officer
every month. The first aid facilities checklist must be completed and filed by the First Aid Officer
following each inspection.
The First Aid Officer must notify the appropriate manager or supervisor if stock needs to be
replenished. The appropriate manager or supervisor will ensure the stock is ordered, delivered and
given to the First Aid Officer to restock the facilities.

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 FIRST AID

First aid treatment

If a person requires first aid treatment the nearest First Aid Officer must be contacted to administer
such treatment.
The First Aid Officer must record the following information:
 name and location of person;
 type of injury, if known;
 assistance provided (as below);
 urgency of matter; and
 determination if another First Aid Officer is required.
The First Aid Officer will attend to the injured or ill person and provide assistance that they consider
the most appropriate. First Aid Officers must only provide assistance in accordance with their
training.
Where an injury is of a more serious nature and requires the person to be referred to a doctor or
taken to hospital, the First Aid Officer will determine the appropriate transport. The First Aid Officer
will ask the sick/injured employee’s manager or supervisor to arrange the transport.

First aid records

When using supplies from the first aid kit the ‘First Aid Kit Log Book’ must be completed. The log
book is to be kept inside the first aid kit. The following details must be entered into the log:
 date and time;
 name of injured person;
 nature of injury/illness;
 treatment provided;
 supplies used;
 name of attending First Aid Officer.
The First Aid Officer and/or an Occupational Health and Safety Representative must record details of
all injuries using an Injury/Incident Report Form.
The First Aid Officer and/or an Occupational Health and Safety Representative must complete an
Incident Report Form and file on site, sending a copy to the Human Resources Department.

RELATED DOCUMENTS
 Work Health and Safety Policy
 Injury and Incident Reporting Policy

AUTHORISATION
<Signature of CEO>
<Name of CEO>
<Date>

Page 3 of 11 3
 FIRST AID

APPENDIX A

LEGISLATIVE REVIEW OF FIRST AID REQUIREMENTS

Caution: please check for updates

APPLICABLE STATE
GENERAL REQUIREMENT IN RELATION TO FIRST AID OFFICERS /
STATE LEGISLATION, REGULATION
QUALIFICATIONS
OR CODE OF PRACTICE

    Section Description
An employer must provide at each place of work:
(a) first aid facilities that are adequate for the
immediate treatment of injuries and illnesses that
NSW OH&S Act 2000 Regulation 20 (2)
may arise at the place of work, and (b) if more than
25 persons are employed at a place of work trained
first aid personnel

Provides guidance on the establishment of

appropriate requirements, facilities and training
and suggests factors to consider in an assessment
(workplace size, layout; location, number and
Occupational Health and Safety See: First Aid in the Workplace – Compliance distribution of employees including shift work
VIC
Act 2004 Code (Victorian WorkCover Authority) arrangements; nature of work hazards; known
occurrences of accidents or illnesses; and the
distance from the workplace to the nearest
available and appropriate medical / occupational
health / ambulance service.

The WHS Regulations place specific obligations on a

person conducting a business or undertaking in
relation to first aid, including requirements to:

 provide first aid equipment and ensure

each worker at the workplace has
access to the equipment
First Aid in the Workplace – Code of Practice  ensure access to facilities for the
QLD Work Health & Safety Act 2011
2014 administration of first aid
 ensure that an adequate number of
workers are trained to administer first
aid at the workplace or that workers
have access to an adequate number of
other people who have been trained to
administer first aid.

Requires a person conducting a business or

undertaking to ensure the workplace provides
workers and anyone else attending your workplace
SA Work Health & Safety Act 2012 Code of Practice for First Aid in the Workplace with access to appropriate first aid equipment
A person in the workplace, usually a qualified first
aider, should be nominated to maintain the first aid
kit.

Code of Practice – First Aid Facilities and

Services 2002 The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
1996 require an employer to provide first aid
facilities. Through consultation with workers the
Occupational Safety & Health Act **** note: Public comment on the Work Health employer must identify all hazards in the work
WA
1984 and Safety Bill 2014 (WHS Bill) draft legislation environment which could lead to injury or harm of
closed on 30 January 2015. The state people at the workplace.
government is reviewing comments made and
considering the best legislation for Western
Australian workplaces.

Page 4 of 11 4
 FIRST AID

APPENDIX B

INJURY/INCIDENT/NEAR MISS REPORT FORM

This form is to be used to report all injuries, illnesses, or near misses, whether an injury occurred or not, and to
document the investigation into the accidents by the Occupational Health and Safety representative involved.
Please complete within 24 hours of the accident. If the accident caused, or could have caused, serious injury or
property damage, please contact the Human Resources Department immediately.

SECTION A: TO BE COMPLETED BY PERSON INVOLVED (or by Occupational Health and Safety Officer if worker is
incapacitated)
PERSON INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT/INCIDENT (Please print)

Title Surname First Name Date of Birth

(please tick) Staff  Volunteer  Contractor  Visitor/Other  Male  Female 

Department Position Contact telephone number

DETAILS OF THE INJURY  INCIDENT  NEAR MISS  (tick appropriate box)

Date injury/incident/near miss occurred: __/ / .
Time injury/incident/near miss occurred: _________________ am/pm
Location where injury/incident occurred (please print):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART OF BODY AFFECTED (TICK APPROPRIATE ANSWERS)

Head Trunk Internal Arm Hand Leg Foot

 eye  neck  heart  left  left  left  left

 ear  hip  lungs  right  right  right  right

 nose  chest  systemic  shoulder  thumb  knee  great toe

 mouth  stomach  upper arm  fingers  lower leg  other toes

 Teeth  groin  elbow  palm  ankle

 face  back  forearm  thigh

 skull  multiple  wrist  upper leg

Page 5 of 11 5
 FIRST AID

 not applicable

Nature of Injury (tick appropriate answers)

 abrasion  puncture  heart attack  sprain  burn  traumatic shock

 bruise  laceration  hearing loss  strain  scald  electric shock

 fracture  amputation  foreign body  hernia  rash  psychosocial

 concussion  bite  minor cuts  allergy  chemical

 Aggravation of previous injury or medical condition.

 not applicable

Type of Incident which caused Injury (tick appropriate answers)

 striking against  stumbling  lifting  pushing  ingestion

 struck by  slipping  bending  pulling  absorption

 caught in  tripping  twisting  jumping  inhalation

 stepping on  falling  stress  motor vehicle  needlestick

 other: describe

 not applicable

Agency of injury/illness/near miss (tick)

 Vehicle  Buildings  Mobile Plant  Structures

 Power tools  Furniture  Other tools  Surfaces

 Animal/Insect  Heat Stress  Materials  Sunburn

 Biological agent  Chemicals  Equipment  Stress

 Objects  Ionising radiation  Other

 not applicable

If reporting an incident or near miss, please describe how this occurred:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 6 of 11 6
 FIRST AID

SECTION B: TO BE COMPLETED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE AND THE PERSON
INVOLVED WITHIN 48 HRS

This is an extremely important section as the aim of the accident/incident/near miss investigation is to identify
preventative action that will avoid recurrence of a similar accident.

Probable cause or causes of injury/incident/near miss (tick appropriate answers)

 inadequate instruction  fault of plant or equipment  poor storage  weather

 inadequate workspace  equipment unavailable  poor access  terrain

 assistance unavailable  lack of attention  incorrect method  work practices

Describe how the incident occurred:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENT/INCIDENT/NEAR MISS RECURRENCE

Describe what action is planned or has been taken to prevent a recurrence of the accident, based on the key
contributing factors (Please print)

(Immediate) _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

(Long Term) ______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION C:

Signed by Supervisor _________________________________ Supervisor’s name__________________________

Signed by Person Involved ____________________________ Signed by OH&S officer ____________________

Page 7 of 11 7
 FIRST AID

APPENDIX C

FIRST AID KIT INSPECTION CHECKLIST

First Aid Kit Number:______ First Aid Kit Location: ________________

QUANTITY USED
FIRST AID KIT QUANTITY SINCE LAST
PRODUCT QUANTITY REMAINING INSPECTION

Packet of 50 individually wrapped adhesive strips      

Sterile eye pads      

Sterile coverings for serious wounds      

Triangular bandages      

Safety pins      

Small sterile un-medicated wound dressings      

Medium sterile un-medicated wound dressings      

Large sterile un-medicated wound dressings      

Roll adhesive tape, 1.25cm wide      

Crepe bandages      

Elastic bandages      

Scissors      

Pair disposable gloves      

Resuscitation mask      

Pair tweezers      

Small bottles of sterile eyewash solution      

Alcohol swabs      

Hand towels      

First aid booklet      

1. Emergency services telephone numbers and telephone numbers and addresses posted next to the first aid kit:
Yes  No 

2. Name, photograph and telephone number of First Aid Officers posted on the outside of the First Aid Kit:
Yes  No

Inspection completed by:_______________________________ Date: ________________________

Page 8 of 11 8
APPENDIX D

FIRST AID KIT LOGBOOK

This log is to be completed for all incidents in the workplace

Date Time Injured Person Nature Of Treatment Provided Supplies Used Attending First Injury/
Injury/Illness Aid Officer Incident Form
Number

Policies can be established or altered only by the Board: Procedures may be altered by the CEO.

DISCLAIMER: While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author(s) or Our Community, its staff, volunteers or partners, for any errors, omissions or
inaccuracies. The material provided in this resource has been prepared to provide general information only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substitute for legal or other professional advice. No
responsibility can be accepted by the author(s) or Our Community or its partners for any known or unknown consequences that may result from reliance on any information provided in this publication.