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• 1. Definitions
• 2. Managing work-caused injuries or illness
  • 2.1 First aid kits
  • 2.2 First aid personnel
  • 2.3 First aid rooms
  • 2.4 Managing the risk and exposure to biological hazards
  • 2.5 Accident response plan
  • 2.6 First aid signs
  • 2.7 Record keeping
  • 2.8 Confidentiality of information
  • 2.9 Workplace consultation
  • 2.10 Risk management
• 3. Further Information

More about first aid

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2.1 First aid kits

2.1.1 Contents of a first aid kit
2.1.2 First aid kit for a remote location
2.1.3 Checklist for first aid kits

The contents of first aid kits should be appropriate for the types of injuries and illnesses likely to occur at the workplace. To decide on the type, quantity and sizes of items needed, an assessment (see Section 2.10 Risk Management) should be carried out to determine the likely demand. Where a risk assessment shows there is a need for extra first aid kits and certain first aid requirements such as first aid rooms and/or trained personnel, these requirements should be available as considered necessary for each work shift.

To minimise the risk of cross infection, wherever possible, kit items should be disposable sterile items such as single use forceps and single dose applications such as 30 ml sachets of antiseptic. Where reusable items are in use, please refer to section 2.4.2 which contains information on how to clean, disinfect and sterilise first aid equipment.

A first aid kit may be of any size, shape or type, but should be large enough to house all the required contents. It should have a white cross on a green background prominently displayed on the outside. Section 2.6 gives examples of suitable first aid signs.

A checklist for assessing the appropriateness of a first aid kit in a workplace is included at Section 2.1.3.

2.1.1 Contents of a first aid kit

A first aid kit for a workplace where the risk of injury or illness is lowshould include at least the following:

• Adhesive strips (assorted sizes) for minor wound dressing
• Non-allergenic adhesive tape for securing dressings and strapping
• Eye pads for emergency eye cover
• Triangular bandage for slings, support and/or padding
• Hospital crepe or conforming bandage to hold dressings in place
• Wound/combine dressings to control bleeding and for covering wounds
• Non-adhesive dressings for wound dressing
• Safety pins to secure bandages and slings
• Scissors for cutting dressings or clothing
• Kidney dish for holding dressings and instruments
• Small dressings’ bowl for holding liquids
• Gauze squares for cleaning wounds
• Forceps/tweezers for removing foreign bodies
• Disposable latex or vinyl gloves for infection control
• Sharps disposal container for infection control and disposal purposes
• Sterile saline solution or sterile water for emergency eye wash or for irrigating eye
  wounds. This saline solution must be discarded after opening
• Resuscitation mask to be used by qualified personnel for resuscitation purposes
• Antiseptic solution for cleaning wounds and skin
• Plastic bags for waste disposal
• Note pad and pen/pencil for recording the injured or ill person’s condition and treatment given
• Re-usable ice-pack for the management of strains, sprains and bruises

In work environments where specific injuries and illnesses such as burns, eye injuries and poisoning may occur, additional first aid kit contents and facilities should be provided and appropriately trained personnel should be appointed.

• Where burns have been identified as potential injuries, a supply of cool running water and non stick burn dressings should be available.
• Eyewash stations should be provided where eye injuries have been identified as potential injuries.
• Emergency showers should be provided at workplaces where chemical splashes may occur.

First aid kits should also be provided for workers working:

• away from the workplace, for example, a delivery driver who is transporting and unloading landscaping supplies to customers; and
• in remote areas where access to accident and emergency facilities may be delayed.

2.1.2 First aid kit for a remote location

As well as including all the items for a first aid kit for a low risk workplace (Section 2.1.1) consideration should also be given to the following for a first aid kit for a remote location.

• Heavy smooth crepe roller bandages, 10cm wide, and sufficient quantity tobandage lower limbs to immobiliselimb after a snakebite
• Splint to immobilise limb after a snake bite or fractures
• Melaleuca hydrogel burn dressings if there is no cool water supply
• Large burns sheet for covering burn areas
• Clean sheeting for cooling and dressing burns
• Thermal/emergency blanket for the management of shock and to assist portability of a patient
• First aid manual or book
• Torch and/or flashlight for use at night and for attracting attention
• Note pad and pen/pencil for recording the injured or ill person’s condition, and treatment given.

First aid suppliers also have major trauma kits. The contents of these kits can be designed for particular environments and for injuries and illnesses which may occur in the event of a major trauma.

A worker or workers in a remote location should also have access to an appropriate communication system such as a mobile telephone or two-way radio.

2.1.3 Checklist for first aid kits

The purpose of this checklist is to check the appropriateness of first aid kits. Indicate by ticking () the relevant box. Where the answer to the question is ‘no’, further action may be necessary.

1. Location and position		Comments
(a) Is the first aid kit located in a prominent and accessible position?	Yes    No	________________________
(b) Are workers informed and aware of the location of first aid kits?	Yes    No	________________________
(c) Do all workers have access to first aid kits during all work shifts?	Yes    No	________________________
2. Clearly identifiable
(a) Can the first aid kit be clearly identified as a first aid kit?	Yes    No	________________________
(b) Is the first aid kit clearly marked with a white cross on a green background?	Yes    No	________________________
3. Contents
(a) Are the contents appropriate to the injuries and illnesses at the workplace?	Yes    No	________________________
(b) Does the first aid kit contain sufficient quantities of each item?	Yes    No	________________________
(c) Is a worker, trained in first aid, responsible for maintaining the first aid kit?	Yes    No	________________________
(d) Are the contents appropriately labelled?	Yes    No	________________________
(e) Are the contents within their 'use by' dates?	Yes    No	________________________
(f) Are the contents adequately stored?	Yes    No	________________________
4. Relevant information
(a) Is there a list of contents provided in the kit?	Yes    No	________________________
(b) Are emergency telephone numbers clearly displayed?	Yes    No	________________________
(c) Are the extension numbers, names and locations of the nearest first aid personnel clearly indicated?	Yes    No	________________________
5. Training
(a) Have selected workers received training in the use and maintenance of first aid kits?	Yes    No	________________________

Last updated August 23, 2006

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