First Aid Policy

First-Aid is the emergency care of the injured and sick. It encompasses a broad range of activities, ranging from the definitive treatment of some minor injuries, through primary management of more significant injuries or illnesses, to life-saving resuscitation in critical circumstances.

It is the policy of The University of Newcastle to provide first-aid care in a way which is consistent with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulation, 1989.

The significant sections of the Regulation are as follows:

A. Offence for Non-Compliance with Regulation
B. First_Aid Kits
C. First-Aid Rooms
D. First_Aid Personnel
E. Register of Injuries & Treatment
F. Schedule 1

A. Offence for non-Compliance with Regulation

If any of the requirements of this Regulation in respect of a place of work are not complied with:

• except in the case of a construction site - the employer of any person working at that place of work;

or

• in the case of a construction site - the principal contractor,

is guilty of an offence.

Penalty: in the case of the requirements of Clause B, $1,000; in the case of the requirements of Clause C, $2,000; in the case of any other requirement, $500.

B. First-Aid Kits

1. First-Aid Kits that comply with this clause must be provided and maintained:
   1. at any construction site at which less than 100 persons work; and
   2. at any other place of work at which less than 200 persons work
2. First-Aid Kits provided at a place of work must be readily accessible to persons working at that place of work.
3. Where reasonably practicable, First-Aid Kits must be located so that:
   1. except in the case of a construction site, no part of the place of work is further than 100 metres from a First-Aid Kit; and
   2. except in the case of a construction site, no part of the place of work is more than one floor level above or below a First-Aid Kit; and
   3. each First-Aid Kit is close to a supply of clean running water.
4. A First-Aid Kit provided at a place of work must:
   1. be constructed of impervious material and, if appropriate, be capable of being locked (the key being easily accessible in cases of emergency); and
   2. be clearly and legibly marked on the outside with the words "FIRST AID" and a safety information sign complying with AS1319; and
   3. in the case of a construction site, be fitted with a carrying handle; and
   4. contain the appliances and requisites for First-Aid in quantities not less than those set out in Schedule 1 as applicable to the place of work concerned; and
   5. contain nothing except appliances and requisites for First-Aid; and
   6. have attached to the inside of the lid:
      1. a list of the appliances and requisites for First-Aid which the Kit is required to contain; and
      2. a cardio pulmonary resuscitation flow chart; and
   7. be kept clean.
5. This Clause does not apply to a place of work at which a First-Aid Room complying with Clause C is provided and is available to all persons working at that place of work.
6. Even though such a First-Aid Room is provided at a place of work (not being a construction site), a First-Aid kit complying with this clause must be provided at the place of work for persons working more than 100 metres from the First-Aid Room.

C. First-Aid Rooms

1. A First-Aid Room that complies with this clause must be provided and maintained:
   1. at any construction site at which 100 or more persons work; and
   2. at any other place of work at which 200 or more persons work.
2. A First-Aid Room provided at a place of work must:
   1. be located so that it is readily accessible during working hours to persons working at the place of work; and
   2. be situated at a convenient distance from toilets; and
   3. have an access door that is wide enough to allow the entry and exit of a patient on a stretcher; and
   4. have a suitably constructed floor; and
   5. unless otherwise approved by the Co-ordinator, occupy a minimum area of 15 square metres; and
   6. be well lighted and well ventilated; and
   7. contain the following:
      1. a sink or a wash basin equipped with suitable drainage and a supply of clean hot and cold running water;
      2. a work bench or a dressing trolley;
      3. a cupboard for storage;
      4. a suitable container fitted with a disposable bag or liner for soiled dressings;
      5. a suitable container for the safe disposal of needles or other sharp instruments;
      6. an electric power point;
      7. means of boiling water;
      8. a couch with blankets and pillows;
      9. two chairs with arms;
      10. a moveable screen or suspended curtain;
      11. a desk or table;
      12. a telephone;
      13. a stretcher, lifting frame or similar device for transporting patients;
      14. a sufficient supply of soap and disposable towels;
      15. a copy of the current edition of an occupational First-Aid handbook approved by the Co-ordinator;
      16. the appliances and requisites for First-Aid in quantities not less than those set out in Schedule 1 relating to First-Aid Kit A;
      17. a portable First-Aid Kit for use outside the First-Aid Room, which contains the appliances and requisites for First-Aid in quantities not less than those set out in Schedule 1 relating to First-Aid Kit B;
      18. such special appliances, requisites and equipment for First-Aid as are otherwise required by law or as are necessary or appropriate having regard to the nature of the work undertaken at the place of work;
      19. if a resuscitator is provided, one that complies with AS2488.
3. Every entrance to a First-Aid Room must be clearly and legibly marked on the outside with the words "FIRST AID" and a safety information sign complying with AS1319.
4. A First-Aid Room must not:
   1. contain anything except equipment, requisites or appliances for First-Aid or occupational health purposes; or
   2. be used for any purpose other than for First-Aid or occupational health purposes.
5. A First-Aid Room and its facilities are to be made available to all persons working at the place of work.
6. Nothing in this clause requires a First-Aid Room to be made available at a time when the number of persons working at the place is such that Clause B applies and First-Aid Kits that comply with that clause are provided and maintained.

D. First-Aid Personnel

1. In respect of each First-Aid Kit provided at a place of work under Clause B:
   1. a person or persons must be appointed to be in charge of the First-Aid Kit and be readily available to render First-Aid attention when necessary to persons working at that place of work; and
   2. a notice must be displayed in a prominent position near the First-Aid Kit clearly showing:
      1. the name and telephone number (if applicable) of the person or persons so appointed; and
      2. in respect of each person so appointed, the place where the person is normally located at that place of work; and
      3. the name and telephone number (if applicable) and place of work of any additional person appointed to render First-Aid.
2. In respect of a First-Aid Room provided at a place of work under Clause C:
   1. a person or persons must be appointed to be in charge of the First-Aid Room and be readily available to render First-Aid attention when necessary to persons working at that place of work; and
   2. a notice must be displayed on or adjacent to the door of the First-Aid Room clearly showing:
      1. the name and telephone number (if applicable) of the person or persons so appointed; and
      2. in respect of each person so appointed, the place where the person is normally located at that place of work; and
      3. the name and telephone number (if applicable) and place of work for any additional person appointed to render First-Aid.
   3. A person appointed to be in charge of a First-Aid Kit at a place of work at which more than 25 persons work must be the holder of a current First-Aid Certificate approved by the Co-ordinator.
   4. A person appointed to be in charge of a First-Aid Room at a place of work must be the holder of a current occupational First-Aid Certificate approved by the Co-ordinator.
   5. Any additional person appointed to render First-Aid at a place of work at which a First-Aid Room is provided must be the holder of a current First-Aid Certificate approved by the Co-ordinator.
   6. Despite anything to the contrary in this clause, a medical practitioner or registered nurse is qualified to render First-Aid and to be in charge of a First-Aid Kit or First-Aid Room.

E. Register of Injuries & Treatment

1. A register must be kept at each place of work containing the following particulars:
   1. the name, age, address and occupation of every person injured while working at that place of work;
   2. the industry in which the person was working at the time the injury occurred;
   3. the activity in which the person was engaged at the time the injury occurred;
      (Approved by the University Occupational Health and Safety Committee - 16 April 1992)
   4. the date and time the injury occurred;
   5. a brief description of the type and cause of the injury, the part of the body injured and the treatment given;
   6. the name of the person rendering First-Aid;
   7. details of any referral for further treatment.
2. 2. The register:
   1. may be combined with any other similar type of register required to be kept by or under any other Act; and
   2. must be kept in a readily accessible place at the relevant place of work; and
   3. must be made available for inspection when requested by an inspector; and
   4. must be kept for at least five years after the date of the last entry made in it.
3. If a place ceases to be a place of work, the register may be kept at any other suitable place.

SCHEDULE 1 - First Aid Kits