First aid facilities provided at a workplace are designed to ensure the timely provision of appropriate first aid to a person who suffers an injury or illness at work. The most common type of physical resource found at a workplace is a first aid kit.
Kit contents
The Approved Code of Practice for First Aid in the Workplace 2009 (the Code) came into operation on 10 December 2010.
Under the Code every workplace should have prompt access to:
- at least one or more Standard Workplace First Aid Kit(s) and/or Small Workplace First Aid Kit(s), and
- any other additional first aid modules or items required to appropriately treat all reasonably foreseeable injuries or illnesses that could occur as a result of being at the workplace or as a result of the work performed there.
These kits:
- are smaller, should cost less and reduce wastage
- cover the treatment of eye injuries and minor burns.
The Code (paragraphs 2.1 to 2.17) includes:
- a list of the minimum contents for the new kits (Table 1)
- information to help you determine if you need more than the minimum in your kit e.g. if you also need the module for serious burns or outdoor work
- information on the design, location and maintenance of first aid kits.
Further Information
For any questions regarding first aid kits, please telephone the SafeWork SA Help Centre on 1300 365 255 or contact your first aid kit supplier.
Use of Your First Aid Kit
A Use of Your First Aid Kit booklet has been developed by SafeWork SA to help first aid personnel with the use of first aid kits and contains information on the basic treatment of a selection of workplace injuries.
Free copies of the booklet are available from the SafeWork SA Bookshop or you can download a copy below.
