Whether it’s in a corporate office, onboard a cruise ship or on a high-risk construction site, safety needs to be a priority in every work environment. A thorough understanding of first aid in the workplace isn’t only a legal requirement in Australia, but an absolute must for the safety of employees and effective management of medical emergencies.
The right resources, personnel, and first aid procedures in the workplace can reduce the severity of injuries, ensure a quick and organised response—and quite literally be the difference between life and death. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a first aid workplace response plan to ensure you’re not only meeting first aid requirements in the workplace—but equipped to save lives when it matters most.
Designate First Aid Responders
One of the first steps to ensuring adequate first aid in the workplace is designating first aid responders. These people will be responsible for providing immediate care in the event of an injury or medical emergency, which means fellow staff members look to them to provide first aid at work. Key considerations include:
- Training: Designated first aid responders must be provided with comprehensive first aid training and certification through a recognised organisation. It’s best to look for organisations with a proven track record – like HERO, which has trained over 250,000 people and provides both standard and advanced first aid training courses.
- Regular refreshers: First aid skills can fade over time, and the industry is continually improving its practices. So, it’s important for responders to undergo periodic refresher courses to keep their skills up to date. Reputable providers like HERO offer tailored refresher training to ensure your designated first aiders are always prepared and confident if and when emergencies arise.
Ensure Easy Access to First Aid Kits
Properly stocked and easy-to-access first aid kits are a vital part of any first aid workplace plan. Here are the main factors to consider:
- Location: Make sure first aid kits are placed in easily accessible and well-marked locations throughout the premises. High-risk areas such as kitchens, workshops, and recreational spaces should always have first aid kits nearby.
- Contents: Your kits should be stocked with essential supplies like bandages, antiseptics and gloves. The contents should be tailored to the specific risks associated with your environment; for example if you work in a science lab you may need eye wash solution and burn dressings.
- Regular checks: After an emergency, it can be easy to forget to pack the first aid kit away without replenishing its supplies. If you do this, you risk the first aid kit not being fully stocked in a future emergency. To avoid this, assign a responsible person to routinely check and restock the first aid kit.
- Visibility: Clear and accessible signage is crucial to help everyone quickly locate kits for first aid in the workplace during an emergency. Proper signage ensures that all employees and visitors are aware of the exact locations of the kits, reducing response time when first aid is needed.
Post Emergency Contact Numbers in Visible Locations
In the height of an emergency, it can be easy to panic and freeze. Having contact numbers readily available can help ensure a swift response is taken in crisis situations, and bolster first aid in the workplace. Key factors to consider include:
- A comprehensive list: The numbers for all local emergency services should be included—that’s ambulance, fire department and police, plus nearby medical facilities, and your workplace’s designated first aid responders.
- Visibility: Post these contact numbers in prominent places such as near telephones, on bulletin boards, and in communal areas. Make sure they’re printed in large, bold and obvious typeface.
- Digital access: Ensure emergency contact numbers are also accessible digitally. For example, through a company intranet, shared document, or on a digital directory. It helps to provide an additional layer of accessibility during an emergency.
- Education: To ensure your team doesn’t forget about these numbers in a time of crisis, regularly remind employees about them, and their locations.
Conduct Regular First Aid Drills
Practical experience is key to ensuring your first aid in the workplace plan functions smoothly when needed most. Regular drills will not only familiarise employees with the protocol, but also—critically—allow you to test its effectiveness.
- Planning: Schedule regular first aid drills that simulate different types of emergencies you might face in your workplace, such as cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, or choking. These drills ensure employees are equipped to respond appropriately no matter the scenario.
- Involvement: Ensure all staff members are included in these drills—not just the designated first aid responder(s)—so that everyone knows what to do during an emergency.
- Feedback: After each drill, hold a debrief session to discuss what went well and what could be improved to refine your first aid workplace plan continuously.
- Documentation: Keep detailed records of drills, including dates, scenarios practised, and any feedback received. Use this information to make ongoing improvements to your plan.
Conclusion
Having a well-structured first aid in the workplace response plan is crucial for maintaining a safe environment for all employees. By designating trained first aid responders, ensuring easy access to well-stocked first aid kits, posting emergency contact numbers and conducting regular drills, you can ensure your workplace—and its precious occupants—are prepared for any emergency. It’s important to know in workplaces what first aid procedures are in place, and if you need help establishing yours—HERO has specialised courses available, including a CPR course, anaphylaxis training and fire extinguisher training.
HERO has quickly become one of Australia’s leading providers of first aid in the workplace courses, empowering over 200,000 Australians to become First Aid Heroes.