Understanding the role and responsibilities of a First Aid Officer in a workplace

Every Victorian workplace is obliged by law to have a least one trained First Aid Officer on staff.

Ok, so what does that mean? And what are the responsibilities of a First Aid Officer?

The answer to that question largely depends on the size of the workplace. OHS laws mandate a minimum of one trained First Aid Officer in any workplace. (However, in order to ensure that there is ALWAYS a minimum of one trained First Aid Officer on duty, most workplaces have to train 3 people for this role in order to ensure they cover meal breaks, annual leave, sick leave and long service leave, etc).

In most cases the designated First Aid Officer will only have to deal with very minor first aid issues - cuts, bruises, sprains, etc.

However, in larger workplaces, those with more than 10 employees or if the workplace is defined as particularly dangerous, the role of a designated First Aid Officer can be much more complex, challenging and involve a lot more work.

What is the First Aid Officer responsible for?

Firstly, in EVERY workplace, no matter the size, the First Aid Officer is obliged at all times to keep their own first aid training valid and up to date. That means they must have done a fully accredited course in First Aid within the last 3 years and CPR in the last 12 months. They must have a valid certificate for each. (CPR certificates expire after 1 year and First Aid certificates after 3 years. For more info read this article - https://www.resultsfirstaid.com/post/how-long-does-my-first-aid-training-certificate-last)

Equally important is that the First Aid Officer is responsible for the first aid kits in the business. They must know the precise location of any and every first aid kit in the workplace. And they must ensure the first aid kits are kept properly stocked with all the essential supplies required such as wound dressings, slings, disinfectants, etc

When accidents or incidents do occur, the designated First Aid Officer must:

- Assess the patient’s condition and identify the correct first aid solutions

- Correctly apply the correct first aid solutions

- Call for any appropriate assistance, including ambulance or medical staff

- Keep the injured person calm at all times and reassure them

After the accident or incident they are obliged to clearly assess what happened and report to management on any recommendations they have to ensure such an event does not happen again.

Additionally, the designated First Aid Officer in a business should also play an active role in identifying hazards and risks in the workplace and work with any appropriate other team members to reduce and/or control them.

What are the ideal personal attributes of a good First Aid Officer?

It is assumed that a First Aid Officer would have a number of personal qualities that make them suitable for the role including:

• Having a good understanding of their role when an incident or accident occurs

• Be able to deliver first aid processes and techniques in a calm and professional manner

• Be physically capable of performing critical first aid techniques such as CPR and resuscitation

• Have an adequate awareness of their own and others well-being.

Sadly Australia has one of the lowest rates of trained First Aid Officers in the world, at only 5%.

If you think you might qualify to be a First Aid Officer in your workplaces, is it time to step up and take more responsibility?

We can help train you to be your best and have the satisfaction of knowing you are there for your workmates if the need arises.

Simply talk to your employer about what the training requirements are for the role. They will mostly likely cover the cost as they are obliged to do. You can then book your course with us at https://www.resultsfirstaid.com/courses

Q. How many first aid officers does my workplace legally need in Victoria?

A. Under WorkSafe Victoria's Compliance Code, workplaces with fewer than 10 employees should have at least one trained first aid officer. Workplaces with 10–50 employees generally need one officer per 25 employees, and workplaces with more than 50 employees need one per 50 employees. Higher ratios recommended for higher-risk workplaces. This is guidance under the OHS Act's "reasonably practicable" duty rather than a fixed legal number, so it's worth assessing your specific workplace risks.

Q. Is first aid training a legal requirement for small businesses in Australia? 

A. Employers have a legal duty under OHS legislation to provide a safe working environment, which includes adequate first aid arrangements — but the exact number of trained staff isn't fixed in law. WorkSafe Victoria's Compliance Code provides practical guidance on what "adequate" looks like based on your workplace size and risk level.

Q. What does Safe Work Australia (and WorkSafe Victoria) require for workplace first aid kits? 

A. Workplace first aid kits should be stocked according to the size of the workplace and the type of risks present, and should be easily accessible, clearly signed, and regularly checked. WorkSafe Victoria's Compliance Code sets out recommended kit contents based on workplace risk category.

Q. How often should a workplace first aid kit be checked and restocked? 

A. First aid kits should be checked regularly. Most workplaces check monthly or quarterly to replace used, expired, or damaged items. High-use environments like construction sites or hospitality venues often need more frequent checks.