SE4 - First Aid Kits

Purpose

To establish the appropriate requirements for first aid equipment, when provided at aquatic facilities.

Description

First aid equipment, facilities and first aiders must be accessible to workers whenever they work, including those working night shifts or overtime. This will require at least one first aid kit to be provided at an Aquatic Facility.

Design of First Aid Kits

First aid equipment can be any size, shape or type to suit your Aquatic Facility, but each kit should:

• Be large enough to contain all the necessary items
• Be immediately identifiable with a white cross on green background that is prominently displayed on the outside
• Contain a list of the contents for that kit
• Be made of material that will protect the contents from dust, moisture and contamination

Location of First Aid Kits

In the event of a serious injury or illness, quick access to the kit is vital. First aid kits should be kept in a prominent, accessible location and able to be retrieved promptly.

First aid kits should be located close to areas where there is a higher risk of injury or illness including but not limited to the plant room and aquatic areas of the facility.

Emergency floor plans displayed in the Aquatic Facility should include the location of first aid kits.

Pre Operational Checks

First Aid Kits including its contents should be inspected and checked for correct operation and adequacy prior to or at an Aquatic Facility opening each day.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Checking all equipment has been cleaned and is fully operational;
• Checking the contents list
• Ensuring that additional equipment is available on site

Contents

The contents of first aid kits should be based on a risk assessment of the Aquatic facility and not just contain the minimum content requirements. For example, there may be higher risk of eye injuries and a need for additional eye pads in Aquatic Facility where:

• Chemical liquids or powders are handled in open containers
• Spraying, hosing or abrasive blasting operations are carried out
• There is any possibility of flying particles causing eye injuries
• There is a risk of splashing or spraying of infectious materials

Additional equipment should be included for remote Aquatic Facilities.

The recommended content of a typical first aid kit and information on additional equipment is provided at the end of this Guideline.

Recommended Optional Additional Items

The following items are recommended as additional items for an aquatic facility:

• Spill Kits for bodily fluids
• Disposable drinking vessels, 200ml (10)

Maintenance of First Aid Equipment

A person in the Aquatic Facility should be nominated to maintain the first aid equipment (usually a first aider) and should:

• Monitor access to the first aid kit and ensure any items used are replaced as soon as practicable after use
• Undertake regular checks (after each use or, if the kit is not used, at least once every 12 months) to ensure the kit contains a complete set of the required items (an inventory list in the kit should be signed and dated after each check) (See Assessment and Inspection of Assets)
• Ensure that items are in good working order, have not deteriorated and are within their expiry dates and that sterile products are sealed and have not been tampered with

Other First Aid Content

In addition to first aid kits, you should consider whether any other first aid equipment is necessary to treat the injuries or illnesses that could occur as a result of a hazard at your Aquatic Facility. This may include but is not limited to:

• Eye Wash and Shower equipment
• Medications
• Outdoor Work
• Remote Work
• Burn Injuries

Eye Wash and Shower Equipment

Eye wash and shower equipment may be permanently fixed or portable, depending on the Aquatic Facility. Eye wash equipment should be provided where there is a risk of hazardous chemicals or infectious substances causing eye injuries.

Immediate access should be provided to shower equipment in Aquatic Facility where there is a risk of:

• Exposure to hazardous chemicals resulting in skin absorption or contamination from infectious substances
• Serious burns to a large area of the face or body (including chemical or electrical burns or burns that are deep, in sensitive areas or greater than a 20 cent piece)

Shower facilities can consist of:

• An appropriate deluge facility
• A permanently rigged hand-held shower hose
• A portable plastic or rubber shower hose that is designed to be easily attached to a tap spout - for small, relatively low risk Aquatic Facility where a fixed deluge facility would not be reasonably practicable but the risk of serious burns is still foreseeable (for example, a fish and chip shop).
• Portable, self-contained eye wash or shower units have their own flushing fluid which needs to be refilled or replaced after use. Further guidance is available in AS 4775 – Emergency eyewash and shower equipment.

Medications

Medication, including analgesics such as paracetamol and aspirin, should not be included in first aid kits because of their potential to cause adverse health effects in some people including asthmatics, pregnant women and people with medical conditions.

The supply of these medications may also be controlled by drugs and poisons laws. Workers requiring prescribed and over-the-counter medications should carry their own medication for their personal use as necessary.

Separate lockable storage facilities should be provided for such medication as may be used by suitably qualified First Aiders.

Outdoor Work

If work is performed outside and there is a risk of insect or plant stings or snake bites, assess whether the following items should also be included in the first aid kit:

• A heavy duty crepe bandage
• Sting relief cream, gel or spray

Remote Work

Where people work in remote locations, a first aid kit should include:

• A heavy duty crepe bandage 10 cm (for snake bites)
• Large clean sheeting (for covering burns)
• Thermal blanket (for treating shock)
• Whistle (for attracting attention)
• Torch/flashlight

Burn Injuries

If your workers are at risk of receiving burns, you should include the following items:

• Burn treatment instructions on two water-proof instruction cards: one for the first aid kit and the other to be located on the wall next to the emergency shower or water supply
• Hydro gel (8 × 3.5 gram sachets)
• Hydro gel dressings
• Clean polythene sheets (small, medium and large)
• 7.5cm cotton conforming bandage

Qualifications

Staffs at an Aquatic Facility who have a duty of care to administer first aid should:

1. Hold one of the following (or equivalent) current nationally recognised Statement/s of Attainment issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for the nationally endorsed first aid unit/s of competency:
   • HLTAID003A Provide First Aid
   • HLTAID006A Provide Advanced First Aid

References

• Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines
• Safe Work Australia – A Guide to First Aid in the Workplace
• A Guide to First Aid in the Workplace, NT WorkSafe.
• A Guide to First Aid in the Workplace, WorkCover Tasmania.
• ACT First Aid in the Workplace 2006, ACT WorkCover.
• Code of Practice: (No 18) First Aid in the Workplace, Victorian WorkCover Authority.
• Code of Practice: First Aid Facilities and Services, Commission for Occupational health and Safety, Western Australia.
• First Aid Code of Practice 2004, Queensland Government Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
• First Aid in the Workplace, Guide 2001, WorkCover New South Wales.
• Code of Practice for Occupational Health and First Aid in the Workplace, 1991, Safe Work SA.

Previous Versions

• FA4 Content of First Aid Kits 1 August 2010, Issue 1