8.1 Introduction to first aid
8.1.1
This section provides guidance on what first aid equipment, facilities and first aiders PCBUs must provide.
You must consider all relevant matters including the following when deciding what first aid equipment, facilities and first aiders to provide:
- the size, and location of your workplace
- the number of workers and composition of your workforce
- the nature of the work being carried out and workplace hazards.
8.1.3
You must engage with your workers when proposing changes that may affect their health or safety.
8.2 First aid facilities and rest areas
8.2.1
You must ensure that workers have access to first aid facilities.
8.2.2
So far as is reasonably practicable, workers must also have access to a place to rest if they become unwell and they are unable to leave the workplace at short notice (such as when working as part of a team in a remote area).
8.2.3
See Section 8.1.2 for what you must consider when making decisions about first aid facilities.
8.3 First aiders
8.3.1
You must ensure that:
- there is an adequate number of workers trained to administer first aid at the workplace or
- workers have access to an adequate number of other first aiders (for example, from another nearby location).
8.3.2
See Section 8.1.2 for what you must consider when making decisions about first aiders.
8.3.3
Consider having most or all your workers trained to make sure a first aider is always present.
8.3.4
Consider forestry-specific first aid training when deciding what training to provide. Consider individual team members' health needs (for example, allergies).
8.3.5
Consider providing additional training for your first aiders in advanced techniques if it would take some time for emergency services to reach your work site.
8.4 First aid kits and other equipment
8.4.1
You must ensure that:
- adequate first aid equipment is provided for the workplace
- each worker at the workplace has access to the equipment.
8.4.2
See Section 8.1.2 for what you must consider when making decisions about first aid equipment.
8.4.3
Make sure first aid equipment is easy for all workers to access ideally within minutes in an emergency or when doing work with a high risk of injuries.
8.4.4
Consider where to place first aid kits, for example in the main worksite, in machines, with manual felling crews or remote or lone workers.
First aid kits
8.4.5
The contents of your first aid kit may vary depending on the type of work.
8.4.6
Figure 11 shows examples of things to consider for remote worksites.
Figure 12 illustrates the contents of a first aid kit, organized in three compartments within a green case.
Top compartment: Saline 15ml x 8; tweezers; scissors; safety pins at least 6; torch; instructions for providing first aid including cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and whistle.
Middle compartment: 10cm width crepe bandage; 7.5cm width conforming cotton bandage x 3; large sterile burn dressing x 1; 5cm width conforming cotton bandage x 3; disposable nitrile gloves x 2 pairs; rescue blanket x 1; resuscitation mask or face shield; and tourniquet bandage x 1.
Bottom compartment: 7.5 x 10cm (medium) non-adherent dressing/pad x 3; wound cleaning wipe, single 1% cetrimide BP x 10; adhesive dressing strips pack of 50; cleaning wipes; triangular bandage x 2; haemostatic gauze x 2; non-stretch, hypoallergenic adhesive tape 2.5cm wide roll; 5 x 5cm (small) non-adherent dressing/pad x 6; and 10 x 10cm (large) non-adherent dressing/pad x 2.
End of text alternative.
8.4.7
The actual contents will depend on the nature of the work carried out and its risks. For example, haemostatic bandages or tourniquets used to stop life-threatening bleeding.
8.4.8
For higher risk work, consider a triage trauma kit.
8.4.9
You may also want to consider including a small notebook and pen to record things such as dates, times, observations, and equipment used.
8.4.10
Keep first aid kits up to date. Check them regularly and replace any missing or expired items.
Other first aid and emergency equipment
8.4.11
In addition to first aid kits, consider whether you need other first aid or emergency equipment for the worksite. For example:
- emergency locator beacons
- an automated external defibrillator
- stretchers.
8.5 Information for workers about first aid
8.5.1
Give workers clear information about the first aid available at their workplace, including the:
- location of first aid kits including those in mobile plant
- names and locations of first aiders
- location of a first aid room (if there is one)
- procedures to follow when they need first aid.
8.5.2
Give this information:
- when a worker is first employed (for example, at induction)
- when there is a change in the nature or location of their work
- when there is a change in first aiders (for example, if a first aider leaves or a new one is added).
8.5.3
Make sure workers can contact first aiders or emergency services, and know how to respond in an emergency.
8.6 More information
8.6.1
For more information, see Resources webpage
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