How to tell if your business is First Aid Code compliant

What is the compliance code for First Aid Training in the workplace? And why do we even need it?

Occupational Health & Safety Law clearly states that employers have an obligation to “provide, as far as is reasonably practicable, a safe working environment and adequate facilities for the welfare of their employees.”

Which, if you think about it, is a very fair and reasonable thing. After all no one going to work should face any unreasonable risks and if they do, they should have the help and support they need.

Employers must provide adequate facilities for welfare of employees

The law goes on to say that employers must provide “adequate facilities for the welfare of employees at any workplace under the employer’s management and control”.

That “safe working environment” and “adequate facilities” clearly cover such things as having the appropriate first aid measures in place, including of course first aid kits AND suitably trained first aid officers.

It’s interesting to note the law extends beyond employees to contractors and their staff who visit or work in locations under the employer’s management or control.

What are the penalties for my business if I don't comply with the First Aid Code?

The law provides two options for businesses to comply with the Code.

The first is a prescribed approach where the number of first aid officers is specified as well as their duties and training. Also prescribed is the number of first aid kits and their contents. Even the number of first aid rooms to be provided is specified!

The second approach, which applies mostly to “micro-businesses” of less than 10 employees, may only require the employer to provide first aid kits if they are deemed “low risk”.

The final approach, which applies to larger businesses and those with higher levels of risk, entails having to do a risk assessment first to work out exactly what is needed for that particular business to determine the number of first aid officers required, their training level, first aid kits, rooms and other details.

Why do companies need to keep their first aid officers up to date with training?

Bottom line is that employers do need to keep their first aid officers up to date with their training and ensure their first aid kits are on-site and fully stocked.

At Results First Aid we can help you with all of that right now. We offer both on-site and off-site training for companies, organisations and individuals across Melbourne & Victoria.

Q. What First Aid courses are available onsite for groups in the Melbourne area?

A. At Results First Aid all our first aid and CPR training courses are available to be delivered onsite to any business, organisation, school, aged care facility, anywhere throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area and right across Victoria too. If you have at least 10 people available for one group training session we will come to you. We have all the equipment and facilities required for onsite training anywhere and are flexible in the timing of how we delivere to you. To book onsite first aid training with us simply click this link: https://www.resultsfirstaid.com/contact