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Model Work Health and Safety Codes of Practice - Public Comment Response Form
1) First Aid in the Workplace
Comments due by Friday, 18 November 2011
Comments: (Please include section/page numbers).
Cover Page of PDF
Images not consistent with first aid and current practice (see side comments)
Section 2.3 Page 7 last paragraph. Last dot point
others at your workplace who are not your workers, for example, students in workplaces
such as schools, members of the public in places of entertainment, fairgrounds and
shopping centres.
Section 3 page 8.
Many hospitals feel they are exempt from training because of this clause, however in a large
hospitals where access is not timely (although hospitals may say otherwise) first aiders should
be trained, eg kitchens (a recognised high risk area, should have first aiders because of burns,
slips, trips anf falls, laceration etc). With respect to burns, the treatment of this injury is
immediate: Running cold water. Waiting for a Dr or Nurse from the emergency department to
provide first aid is not appropriate or timely response despite access to medical or ambulance
services.
Section 3.3 Page 9
“This may include providing an automatic defibrillator to reduce the risk of fatality from heart
attacks..”.
Section 3.4 Page 10
“Medical centres staffed by a registered health practitioner (a doctor or nurse) or paramedic….”
Section 3.5 Types of trained first aiders.
As there are National units of competence in First Aid which fit the categories you have
determined, Basic, Senior, Occupational and Remote. I think it is a huge mistake not applying
the Units to the categories eg Basic HLTFA201B, Senior HLTFA301C (and in some workplaces
where the risk assessment has identified a greater risk HLTFA404B), Occupational
HLTFA402B, Remote HLTFA403B.
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Section 3.5 Page 11 Training for First Aiders.
There is no mention of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training. The Australian
Resuscitation Council recommends it be undertaken at least annually. This is a Guideline is
from our Peak Body –. It should be written in here
Section 3.6 page 14 Procedures and plans for managing an emergency
“ For example, if the first aider has not trained to operate an automated external defibrillator,
the plan should not require this person to perform this task”.
Appendix B page 17 sample of first aid kits.
As you have determined categories of standard and small first aid kit it would be good here to
be prescriptive and indicate what type of workplace would require one or the other. Guidance
here is important for the employer.
Appendix B page 17
Example of contents of first aid kitsBasic instructions for providing first aid 1 1
Note book and pen 1 1
Resuscitation face mask 1 -
Resuscitation face mask or face shield - 1
Appendix B Page 18 The burn injury module
I recently attended a national burns forum at the Alfred Hospital in Victoria where Hydro Gels
were discussed. There appears to be concern with this product I suggest you contact
http://www.vicburns.org.au/first-aid.html
Contaminated items
All items that are soiled with blood or body substances should be placed in plastic bags and
tied securely. Waste disposal should comply with any state or local government requirements.
Items that may be reused, including scissors and tweezers, should be thoroughly cleaned using
warm soapy water and disinfected with an appropriate disinfectant such as alcohol wipes.