PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

1. Look for hazards in your workplace The things that can cause harm (e.g. chemicals, machinery, falling from heights) WHS Regulation 2012 calls this identifying hazards. 2. Work out how serious your health and safety problems might be Decide who might be in danger (e.g. you, workers, customers), the factors contributing to the risk, what injuries could result (e.g. burns, amputation, fatigue) and how likely they are to occur. This is what the WHS Regulation 2012 calls assessing risks. 3. Eliminate or control risks by making changes that protect people. For example, replace a dangerous chemical, guard machinery, develop agreed safety procedures, train workers, or – as a last resort – issue protective equipment. The WHS Regulation 2012 calls this eliminating or controlling risks. You must follow these steps for every health and safety issue that requires attention. In the case of first aid, the method helps you to work out what facilities or personnel must be immediately on hand if there is an injury or illness that may arise in your workplace. Consider the type of work performed and the nature of the hazards The type of work performed will influence the hazards and the possible harmful consequences for workers. For example, workers in an office will have first aid requirements different from those in a manufacturing plant. Workplaces using hazardous substances may require specialised first aid facilities, such as eyewash stations and emergency showers. Indeed, different areas within the one workplace may have different hazards, depending on the tasks being undertaken, and the equipment being used. So some areas within your workplace may have special needs for first aid facilities. Think about the types of activities and work performed across your workplace. Try to anticipate the risks faced by workers. Injuries associated with common workplace hazards that may require first aid First Aid in the Workplace, Code of Practice, July 2012, Safe Work Australia Hazard Potential harm Manual tasks Overexertion can cause muscular strain Working at height Slips, trips and falls can cause fractures, bruises, lacerations, dislocations, concussion Electricity Potential ignition source could cause injuries from fire. Exposure to live electrical wires can cause shock, burns and cardiac arrest Machinery and equipment Being hit by moving vehicles, or being caught by moving parts of machinery can cause fractures, amputation, bruises, lacerations, dislocations. Hazardous chemicals Toxic or corrosive chemicals may be inhaled, contact skin or eyes causing poisoning, chemical burns, irritation. Extreme temperatures Hot surfaces and materials can cause burns. Exposure to heat can cause heat stress and fatigue. Exposure to extreme cold can cause hypothermia and frost bite Radiation Welding arc flashes, ionising radiation and lasers can cause burns Violence Behaviours including intimidation and physical assault can cause nausea, shock and physical injuries Biological Infection, allergic reactions Animals Bites, stings, kicks, scratches

Employers (PCBUs) have legal responsibilities for ensuring adequate first aid provisions for workers. In addition, Regulation 43 requires them to prepare, maintain and implement an emergency plan and emergency procedures so that there can be an effective communication between persons who will be required to deal with an emergency. This will include evacuation procedures, notification of emergency service organisations, arrangement for medical treatment and assistance and effective communication between persons who will be required to deal with any emergency. Division 3 – FIRST AID Tooma, Michael, Tooma’s Annotated Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia Limited, 2012, Pyrmont, Sydney, p268, 269 42 Duty to provide first aid (1) A person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure: (a) The provision of first aid equipment for the workplace, and (b) That each worker at the workplace has access to the equipment, and (c) Access to facilities for the administration of first aid Maximum penalty: (a) In the case of an individual - $6,000, 0r (b) In the case of a body corporate - $30,000 (2) A person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that: (a) An adequate number of workers are trained to administer first aid at the workplace, or (b) Workers have access to an adequate number of other persons who have been trained to administer first aid Maximum Penalty: (a) In the case of an individual - $6,000, 0r (b) In the case of a body corporate - $30,000 (3) For the purposes of this clause, the person conducting the business or undertaking must have regard to all relevant matters, including the following: (a) The nature of the work being carried out at the workplace, (b) The nature of the hazards at the workplace, (c) The size and location of the workplace, (d) The number and composition of workers and other persons at work place It is recommended that access to first aid personnel is available wherever there are more than 25 persons at a workplace, regardless of whether or not those persons are workers (e.g. schools). Identify workplace hazards and assess associated risks as a basis for determining first aid resource requirements WHS Regulation 2012 sets out the minimum standards for first aid; however no two workplaces are exactly the same. The factors that will determine your best first aid plan depend upon the industry you operate in and the specific activities in your workplace. The method you must use to look at your situation has three basic steps:

HLTAID008 MANAGE FIRST AID SERVICES AND RESOURCES

HLTAID008 MANAGE FIRST AID SERVICES AND RESOURCES

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PADI RTO

PADI RTO