First Aid Policy

Policy Statement

The University of Western Australia acknowledges its responsibility and is committed to providing first aid facilities and services for staff, students and visitors as required by Regulation 3.12 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996.

The Code of Practice: First aid facilities and services; Workplace amenities and facilities; Personal protective clothing and equipment produced by WorkSafe WA will be complied with, as far as practicable, to achieve best practice requirements for first aid at the University.

Heads of School, Section or Unit are responsible for ensuring that each workplace at the University is provided with sufficient first aid facilities and personnel. This can be ascertained by assessing the level of first aid risk outlined in the above Code of Practice. 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 that person(s) is entitled to receive remuneration for the additional duties.

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 $10 per week.

First Aid Officer Duties

Duties of elected/nominated First Aid Officers include:

• The performance of first aid on campus when a situation arises where first aid is necessary;
• Ensuring that the workplace has been provided with adequate first aid resources and to ensure that first aid can be provided for the hazards that are apparent within that workplace; and
• Maintaining first aid equipment in a satisfactory and usable condition. (please refer section 1.11 of the Code of Practice: First aid facilities and services; Workplace amenities and facilities; Personal protective clothing and equipment) First Aid Procedure

The first aid procedure at the University is as follows:

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. Assist the injured person to a medical centre/hospital for treatment by a doctor.
5. Remain with the injured person (s) until medical aid arrives or you have reached a medical centre/hospital

Indemnity

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

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 should have a minimum of one person trained in first aid to a minimum level of Senior First Aid Certificate. The school is responsible for the training of this person and maintenance of first aid facilities within the school. Please direct all inquires regarding first aid training to the Safety and Health Office on 6488 3938.

First Aid Officers Allowance

You must have a current Senior First Aid certificate.

Arrange for your HOS to provide written confirmation of their support for the allowance ($10 per week). Send this with a copy of your certificate to the Safety and Health. 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 Senior First Aid certificate unless notified otherwise. For further information see How to Become a First Aid Officer.

Training

A Senior First Aid Certificate 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 schools first aid officer that person is entitled to receive training at no charge to them during normal working hours.

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

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 

The following sites provide lists to assist in determining the requirements and quantities for a basic first aid box as specified by WorkSafe WA. Individual items and quantities may vary according to identified hazards. Further information and types of first aid kits for different locations can be obtained from St Johns Ambulance and Red Cross.

It is University policy not to provide analgesics (eg. paracetamol, aspirin) in First Aid kits. Should work areas choose to keep these substances then the following conditions must be observed:

• First Aid Officers are not trained to diagnose and administer these
• They may only be supplied on a specific request for such
• Persons requesting these are advised to read the label
• They must only be provided within the recommended dosage limits
• Supplies must not be used beyond their expiry date
• If symptoms persist then medical attention must be obtained

For Information on First Aid Infection Control refer to:

Queensland Government - First Aid Advisory Standard: http://www.dir.qld.gov.au/workplace/subjects/firstaid/infection/