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.
