Where Do You Need A First Aid Kit In A Business?

I have spent the last few weeks working with a couple of business owners and helping them to ensure that their business are compliant for first aid kits but there seems to be alot of confusion when it comes to first aid kits.  In Queensland, all businesses are governed by a Code of Practice called the First Aid Code of Practice 2004.  The Code of Practice sets out the minimum guidelines upon which a business should operate when it comes to first aid however this code is not exhaustive which means all business owners must assess their business and compare how they comply with the Code of Practice.

Pretty much most business owners recognise that they must have a first aid kit, clearly marked and available within their business.  The Code of Practice sets out in section 2.1 what the minimum requirements for a first aid kit are and they even provide a Checklist.  Now what I will say if you are in any other states, like New South Wales, you need to review your state Workplace Health and Safety body to find out what you are required to have in your first aid kits.

What many business owners don't realise is that they don't just need a First Aid Kit for their Business Premises?

Within the Code of Practice it states that all workplaces must have a first aid kit that meets the minimum standard and is appropriate to the workplace.  So what this means is that if you are in a workplace where you have dangerous chemicals etc you will need a first aid kit that is far more involved than for say, somewhere like an office.

Here is the real question... What do you define as a Workplace?

Did you know that if you have company funded cars, your staff work use their own cars to visit other workplaces or homes as part of their job or your staff work on-site that you are required to provide a first aid kit for their use?

Most employers don't and its quite a shock.  The Code of Practice is quite clear in that it states all workplaces are required to have a first aid kit and that there must be a designated first aid officer that can use the first aid kit.

This means that if you have staff who are delivery drivers, plumbers who work on site or elderly care workers visiting homes, each person must have a first aid kit in the vehicle and be trained to provide first aid and paid accordingly. 

The reason this has been stipulated within the Code of Practice is that technically driving in a vehicle or being on site is a workplace. 

If you would like to learn more about the First Aid Code of Practice I suggest you download it by Clicking Here.

My team and I are more than happy to help you with your first aid courses Brisbane and with your first aid kit needs.

New First Aid Kits Blog

Well, over the last few days we have been building some brand new blogs on niche areas of first aid. One of our newest First Aid blogs is called First Aid Kits blog and you can visit it at AllFirstAidKits.com

This blog is dedicated to helping you select the right first aid kit. There are so many first aid kits on the market and trying to work out which one is right for you can be difficult so hopefully with this new blog we will resolve some of these issues.

The blog is now available and I have just uploaded a new article on

How to Choose the Right Camping First Aid kit

First Aid for Ear Injuries

There are many different types of ear injuries and a long list of causes but they all should be treated like an emergency. Ears and eyes are two elements of the human body that you should never take a chance with. If you suspect injury, seek medical treatment.

Causes of Ear Injuries

There are both internal and external ear injuries. A substance or foreign object blocking or damaging the ear canal is extremely serious. Insects can crawl into your ears, especially when camping and kids may pop a Lego in there from time to time too. You should never attempt to remove anything lodged in anyone's ear, including your own.

Diving is another common cause of ear injuries. Basically, any time pressure is applied to your ear canal, the eardrum can be damaged.

Alternatively, there are also external injuries such as damage or lacerations, commonly caused by infected piercings or those that have been ripped out.

Types of Ear Injuries

ñ Auricular Hematoma – This is a blood clot that forms on the outer ear, under the skin.

ñ Eardrum Punctures – Result of an object in the ear.

ñ Eardrum Rupture – Increased water or air pressure causes these types of ear injuries.

ñ Inner Ear Injury – This is also the result of air or water pressure being increased.

ñ Middle Ear Injury – The result of an object in the ear.

ñ Other – Abrasions, contusions and lacerations.

First Aid – Foreign Objects in the Ear

If you are dealing with someone who has or suspects that they have some type of foreign object in the ear, you should:

ñ Reassure the individual so they calm down.

ñ Seek medical treatment immediately.

First Aid – Bleeding Ear

If you are with someone and there is blood coming from their ear, this is a serious cause for concern. Typically, a bleeding ear indicates a head injury so there are basic first aid steps that should be followed.

ñ Gently place a sterile gauze or pad over the ear, not inside the ear!

ñ Lay the individual on their side so that the affected ear is on the ground. This will allow blood and fluids to drain outward.

ñ Always treat the individual as if you are dealing with a serious head injury and do not allow them to fall asleep. You want them to be calm and relaxed yet awake. Reassure them and ask questions so they talk if you feel as though they are going to dose off.

ñ Call for a paramedic or ambulance immediately by dialing 000 in Australia or 911 in the USA.

You never know when you will be in an emergency situation so it is important to keep up to date with first aid training. You might just save a life.

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One-on-One Professional Business Training provides regular first aid courses in Brisbane and Townsville. If you would like more information call 1800 66 00 00

First Aid Links

Learn How to Deal With a Snake Bite

Australia is known world wide as the land of milk and honey. We are so fortunate that we have a country of pristine beaches, immaculate rainforests, rolling country sides and, you guessed it, seven of the ten most dangerous snake species in the world. Making our country side one of the most dangerous places you can visit.

Australians are accustomed with living with these deadly creatures, many of which can be found in or around our homes, in gardens or wood piles. Even around my own home in the City of Brisbane these dangerous small creatures lurk and play. We often will walk outside to find something curled up at our front fence.

All though not every snake species is venomous, if you are bitten by a snake you should always treat it as if it was venomous by applying the pressure immobilization technique. Most people in Australia are not familiar with what is venomous and what is not and in the case of a snake bite, applying a pressure immobilisation bandage quickly could mean the difference between dying or just getting sick.

The pressure immobilization technique works by restricting the lymphatic flow beginning at the toes or fingers and work upwards for the whole limb as far as you can go. The Australian Resuscitation Guidelines state that it is preferable to bandage upwards from below the bite, although it will probably squeeze a small amount of venom centrally; it collapses vessels and is far more comfortable.

If you bind down a limb, rather than up the limb, we have a situation in which it will produce venous congestion and discomfort, so always ensure that the pressure the bandage is applied no greater then what you would apply for a sprained ankle, immobilise the limb with splints or slings and bring medical transport to the patient.

In particular ensure that you call an ambulance immediately. In Australia you would dial 000 (triple zero) for an ambulance or in the United States of America you will dial 911.

It is essential that there are some key activities that you do not do and let me be very clear on this:

- do not kill the snake for purpose of identification
- do not cut or excise the bite site
- do not suck the venom from the bite site
- do not use an arterial tourniquet when treating a snake bite
- do not wash or clean the bite site
- do not elevate the bite site
- do not walk the patient
- do not remove the bandage at any stage

Identification of venomous snakes can be made from venom present on the clothing or skin, so do not try and kill the snake for purposes of identification. Doctors use special kits that help in the identification of the venom. All Australian hospitals carry snake anti-venom. You should also be aware that anti-venom is available for all venomous Australian snakes

If you do live in a location where snakes are regularly seen then it is recommended that you have a snake bite bandage available. In our own home, we have one always available on our kitchen counter.

One-on-One Professional Business Training provides you with a range of first aid courses to help you deal with the situations mentioned in this article. We run regular first aid courses Brisbane at three different locations.

First Aid in Brisbane

Over the last few months we have been looking at the first aid courses we offer and we are temporarily suspending our first aid courses in milton. We will however be looking at reimplementing those courses most likely in March 2012.

Check out this first aid course link.... its a new link in an Aussie Link Directory.