Industrial Technology
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First Aid
This unit of work addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:
A student:
H2.1 demonstrates proficiency in the use of safe working practices and workshop equipment maintenance techniques.
Extract fromIndustrial Technology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies: Sydney 1999.
First aid
First aid is the immediate treatment given to the victim of an accident, sudden illness or other medical emergency. The person on the scene who has the best knowledge of first aid should administer the treatment and it should be continued until professional medical help is available.
First aid involves reassuring the victim, relieving the pain and moving the victim, if necessary, to a hospital or clinic.
Some key questions:
- Why do you need first aid?
- How do you identify potential injuries and illnesses and their likely causes in the workplace?
- What are the requirements for first aid personnel in the workplace?
- What are the requirements for first aid rooms in the workplace?
- What are the requirements for first aid kits?
- What is a first aid plan?
- Who needs to know about first aid plans?
- How do you know that a first aid plans is working?
- What is the response following an accident requiring first aid?
Why do you need first aid?
- First aid provides the initial and immediate attention to a person suffering an injury or illness.
- In extreme cases, a quick first aid response could mean the difference between life and death.
- In many cases, first aid can reduce the severity of the injury or illness.
- A quick and competent first aid response also calms the injured person, reducing unnecessary stress and anxiety.
- The workplace has a legal responsibility to ensure adequate first aid is provided for all employees.
How do you identify potential injuries and illnesses and their likely causes in the workplace?
To ensure adequate first aid provisions, employees must identify their potential problems, assess their requirements and consult with employees.
Identifying potential problems can be determined by:
- reviewing accidents
- consulting with employees
- reviewing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- locating external safety information relevant to the business
- reviewing hazard surveys.
A table of common hazards and typical problems associated with them is given below. Complete the table by listing the typical injury or illness that could relate to the given hazard.
| Hazard | Typical problems | Typical injury and illness requiring first aid |
|---|---|---|
| manual handling | overexertion, repetitive movement | |
| falls | falls from heights, slips and trips on uneven surfaces | |
| electricity | contact with electrical current | |
| plant | being hit by projectiles, striking objects, being caught in machinery, overturning vehicles | |
| hazardous substances | exposure to chemicals, e.g. solvents, acids, hydrocarbons | |
| temperature, UV radiation | effects of heat or cold from weather or work environment | |
| biological | allergens, needle stick, exposure to infectious agents | |
| occupational violence | intimidation, conflict, physical assault |
Download a Word version of this table.
What are the requirements for first aid personnel in the workplace?
The number of trained first aiders needed in a given workplace is linked to the number of employees. If there are more than 25 people employed at a workplace at least one person trained in first aid is required to be on site.
A trained first aid personnel means either:
- A registered nurse.
- A level three or greater New South Wales ambulance officer.
- A medical practitioner.
- Personnel who have been trained by a WorkCover accredited trainer. WorkCover accredits trainers, and then these trainers offer standardised courses in First Aid and Safety for specific groups.
Where employees work across separate work areas, the first aid facilities provided may need to be located centrally, with the provision of portable first aid kits in each work area.
What are the requirements for first aid rooms in the workplace?
A first aid room must be provided and maintained at any construction site at which more than 100 persons work or at any other workplace at which more than 200 persons work.
A first aid room should be set up as follows:
- Location. The room must be readily accessible, situated close to toilets, have hot and cold running water and motor vehicle access.
- Workspace. The room should be large enough to administer first aid and allow access for injured persons.
- Work environment. The room should be able to be easily cleaned, well lit and ventilated. It should have suitable heating and cooling.
- Signs. The room should be clearly identified with recognisable first aid signs with all relevant information on first aid clearly shown.
What are the requirements for first aid kits?
It is essential that properly stocked and maintained first aid kits are conveniently located in each workplace. The following factors should be considered in relation to the provision of first aid kits:
- Contents. This will depend on your workplace hazards and the likely injuries or illnesses that could occur. There is a list which represents minimum requirements, but additional contents may be needed depending upon the hazards.
- Location of kits. First aid kits should be located close to areas where there is a likely risk of injury/illness occurring, persons working in remote areas, or areas where access for emergency services is limited.
- Number of kits. At least one kit must be provided for each workplace. Workplace assessment will determine if more kits are required.
- Signs. The first aid kit should be clearly identifiable, with a white cross on a green background prominently displayed on the outside.
- Information. A list of contents should be provided with the kit, together with names and locations of trained first aiders and relevant telephone numbers, including 000.
- Management. A trained first aid officer who is responsible for the contents and availability of the kit should manage the first aid kit.
What is a first aid plan?
Management responsible for a workplace should ensure that it develops and continually updates an effective first aid plan for its employees. A first aid plan should state:
- Number of first aiders needed to cover all areas and shifts including names and contact details.
- Specific training requirements for first aiders.
- Response procedures.
- First aid facilities requirements and management.
- First aid recording and reporting system. In accordance with section 63 of the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, an injury register must be maintained.
- Important contact numbers, e.g. 000, Poisons Information Centre, local hospitals and clinics.
Who needs to know about first aid plans?
Trained first aiders need:
- written procedures to ensure they understand their specific first aid responsibilities, and area/time of coverage
- regular First aid inservices to update knowledge.
Employees must understand:
- who to approach for first aid assistance.
- the role they have in the first aid plan, e.g. reporting accidents
- where to go for assistance.
This information may be communicated using a combination of:
- posters of signs in the workplace
- information sessions or team meetings
- newsletters, emails or memos
- induction training.
Managers and supervisors: must be familiar with first aid arrangements, and must understand their accountability under the first aid plan. They will also play an important part in making sure first aid information is provided to all employees.
How do you know that a first aid plans is working?
The following procedures should be followed to ensure first aid plans are working effectively:
- Build in a periodic review of all your first aid arrangements, involving the people who have accountability under the plan.
- If work practices are modified, or new work practices introduced, review the first aid plan against the assessment criteria to ensure it is still adequate.
- Organise a mock first aid emergency to check that your first aid plan works.
- If an incident requiring first aid does occur, evaluate the effectiveness of the first aid provided, and make changes to your plan if necessary.
- If new information is obtained about a previously unidentified hazard, review your first aid provision.
What is the response following an accident requiring first aid?
All personnel need to know who will do what and in what sequence before an accident occurs. People need to understand their specific role, and how it fits in to the overall plan.
For example:
- Employee notifies supervisor and first aider of accident.
- Supervisor alerts management.
- First aider attends to injured person.
- Supervisor manages employees in the vicinity of the accident
- First aider or a designated person notifies and coordinates ambulance or medical assistance.
What to do in case of an emergency?
Everybody should have a basic understanding of first
aid and know what to do in case of an emergency. Access the St.
John Ambulance 
web site, click on First Aid - quick reference ,
find the sections on poisoning, burns, eye injury, shock and head injury and
answer the following questions:
Poisoning
- Before you attempt to induce vomiting to a poison victim, who should be contacted?
- List ten symptoms that indicate that a person has been poisoned?
Burns
- What does DRABC refer to when treating a victim?
- Should you remove anything sticking to a burn?
- What should be done if a burn victim has clothes that are on fire?
- For a chemical burn how long should you run cold water over the burn?
Eye injury
List the steps involved in treating an eye injury.
Shock
- List six symptoms that indicate that a person is in shock?
- What can you do for a shock victim to comfort them while waiting for an ambulance?
Head injury
- List six signs that a person is suffering a head injury.
- List the five steps in treating a head injury.
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