Safety, Health and Injury Management and Wellbeing

First aid guidance

Our role is to develop and assist in the implementation of the UWA safety, health and wellbeing programs in order to minimise the risk of injury, illness and property damage.

We provide consultancy and other services to promote best practice and legislative compliance in all University and related activities.

The University of Western Australia acknowledges its responsibility and is committed to providing first aid facilities and services for staff, students and visitors in accordance with the requirements of current legislation.

Codes of Practice produced by Worksafe WA cover first aid facilities and services, workplace amenities and facilities, personal protective clothing and equipment. UWA will comply with these, as far as practicable, to achieve best practice requirements for first aid at the University. Heads of school, section or unit are responsible for assessing their workplaces at the University and providing first aid resources and trained personnel to a degree which is consistent with the nature of tasks and activities carried out. This code of practice can be used to assist in assessing the level of first aid risk.

It is recommended that each department or workplace be provided with at least one First Aid Officer. Should the Head of School, Section or Unit elect a person to be the nominated workplace first aid officer. A nominated first aid officer is entitled to receive remuneration for the additional responsibilities of being a workplace first aid officer. This allowance at present is $11.22 per week.

  1. First Aid Officer duties
  2. Indemnity
  3. Background
  4. First Aid Officers allowance
  5. Training
  6. First Aid Box requirements

First Aid Officer duties

Duties of elected/nominated First Aid Officers include:

  1. Ensure your own safety in the situation.
  2. Tend to the injured person (s) as required by first aid procedures.
  3. If required contact Security on 2222 to get an ambulance to attend.
  4. In life threatening emergencies call 000 and then call 6488 2222
  5. Assist the injured person to a medical centre/hospital for treatment by a doctor.
  6. Remain with the injured person(s) until medical aid arrives or you have reached a medical centre/hospital.

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Indemnity

All University First Aid Officers are protected under the terms of the University's Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance policies while undertaking their first aid duties. First Aid Officers performing first aid while not engaged in University activities are not covered under these policies.

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Background

First Aid can be defined as the emergency treatment of illness or injury in order to maintain life, to ease pain and to prevent deterioration of the patient's condition until professional medical help can be obtained. Providing First Aid is the primary role of the First Aid Officer.

The circumstances in which first aid may be required vary considerably within a large institution such as the University. Despite the relative safety of the University environment, situations may well arise where staff, trained in first aid, are necessary. Such incidents can include cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness and epileptic fits as well as the more common situations of faints and musculoskeletal sprains and strains. First aid may also be required in the situation of a work related injury such as burns, eye injury or musculoskeletal injury.

All Schools / Divisions should have a minimum of one person trained in first aid to a minimum level of Provide First Aid HLTAID011. The School / Division s responsible for the training of this person and maintenance of first aid facilities within the School / Division. Please direct all inquires regarding first aid training to UWA Safety, Health and Wellbeing on 6488 3938.

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First Aid Officers allowance

You must have a current Provide First Aid certificate.

Arrange for your head of School / Division to provide written confirmation of their support for the allowance ($11.22 per week). Send this with a copy of your certificate to UWA Safety, Health and Wellbeing. We will include you on the list of University First Aid Officers and can then advise payroll to commence payment of the allowance until the expiry of your Provide First Aid certificate unless notified otherwise. For further information see How to become a First Aid Officer.

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Training

A Provide First Aid Certificate HLTAID011 is the minimum level of training required by a person to become a nominated First Aid Officer at the University. When a person nominates or is appointed a school's First Aid Officer that person is entitled to receive training at no charge to them during normal working hours.

St Johns Ambulance, and Red Cross  provide suitable courses in Provide First Aid HLTAID011. A series of different courses are offered at different venues.

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First Aid Box requirements

A list of items for inclusion in a First Aid Box is available in Appendix 3 in the Code of Practice: First aid facilities and services; Workplace amenities and facilities; Personal protective clothing and equipment. St Johns Ambulance and Red Cross provide lists information and types of first aid kits for different locations.

It is University policy not to provide analgesics (eg. paracetamol, aspirin) in First Aid kits.

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