Good First Aid Response

Situation 1: Lifeguard suffers near-drowning incident — A newly trained lifeguard who works at the local swimming pool nearly drowned and took in a lot of pool water while attempting to save a panicking victim. The victim thrashed about in the pool and pushed the lifeguard underwater several times to remain afloat, making it difficult for the lifeguard to maintain control and perform the rescue safely.

Situation 2: Worker suffers thermal burns — A team of 25, at a local council office, was about to have a meeting in their office meeting room to discuss a new change management process. A team member tasked with organising refreshments was busy working the coffee-machine and suffered thermal burns from spilling a large amount of boiling water on themselves.

Situation 3: Swimming pool technician slips and falls — A swimming pool technician performing a routine maintenance check at the local pool tripped along the walkway near the pool due to a section of uneven ground. Additionally, that area, which originally had a non-slip coating, had worn away. The technician believes they have sprained their left ankle.

If you were there during each of these incidents, what would you have done in response?

Just a regular day at work

All three situations above are captured from what appears to be a regular day in the life at these workplaces. These situations aim to show that accidents can occur at any time and in any place. Sometimes, these accidents are minor, such as a small cut or a slight sprain. At other times, they can be far more serious, such as a chemical burn or a fractured leg. 

When these mishaps occur in the workplace, it is important that the organisation has systems and processes in place to address these incidents in a timely and responsible manner.

The importance of delivering first aid

As Safe Work Australia states, first aid can mean the difference between life and death.

Delivering first aid ensures that you can preserve life and stabilise a person who may be in a life-threatening situation, such as cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, or choking. Timely delivery of first aid can prevent an injury or illness from worsening. Proper first aid can also alleviate pain and discomfort, such as applying ice to a sprain.

Organisations must ensure that they understand the specific obligations they have in relation to providing a safe working environment (one that is unique to their business) and to the provision of appropriate first aid at the workplace. 

According to the Australian First Aid Code of Practice, with certain exceptions, most workplaces are required to provide first aid training. These duties and obligations extend to workers and other persons at the workplace. 

What are my obligations?

In general, an organisation must ensure that they provide:

• at least one first aid kit
• first aid facilities
• trained first aid people (known as first aiders)

Any worker must be able to access first aid equipment and facilities and the trained first aiders, at any time. This must include shift work, overtime work, and any time workers are working outside their usual times. 

Examples of jobs that require first aid training include healthcare professionals, nurses, emergency responders, coaches and fitness instructors, construction workers, electricians and flight attendants.

💡Resource: Organisations may also be guided by the legal requirements as captured in the Work Health and Safety Act (Cth) 2011.

Risk assessment is key

In order to ensure that an organisation has appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and trained first aiders in place, they must assess all the risks in their workplace. 

As each workplace and business environment may be quite different, it is important to consider the specific nature of the business and operating environment in carrying out a risk assessment. 

Risks may be quite different for a timber manufacturing plant, a baking shop, a construction site, a family day care centre and a fitness centre. Each risk assessment must take into account the hazards, the workplace environment, and specific location or locations involved. 

💡Resource: Safe Work Australia provides a model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace, which contains a sample risk assessment.

The value of a first aid qualification

If you are required to ensure that your workplace has at least one first aid kit, first aid facilities and trained first aiders, consider the value of having relevant staff obtain a qualification, Provide First Aid. 

With the Provide First Aid qualification, your staff will gain: 

• the skill of cardiopulmonary resuscitation 
• the skill of first aid
• knowledge and skills in managing an emergency situation
• knowledge and skills in managing the physical and mental impacts of providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation 

Are you wondering if there is an expiry date to such a qualification? The short answer is that the certificate gained does not expire. However, it does need to be refreshed at regular intervals.

Remember also that obtaining a qualification is not the end of training. The Safe Work Code of Practice and the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) mandate renewal of first aid qualifications every three years in order to remain current. This means that refresher training must be completed regularly.

Do you know what you don’t know? At a minimum, you must ensure that you meet all your legal obligations to remain compliant and to ensure you do not face penalties. More importantly, ensure that you provide a workplace that is safe for all employees at all times.