First aid training guidleines for industry in south africa

First Aid response forms an important part of a company’s emergency plan. In the event of an emergency, the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 requires that emergency equipment and personnel be available to cope with the situation. The appointment of emergency responders requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some guidelines:

RISK ASSESSMENT

The first step in organizing a first aid team is to perform a risk assessment. Consider the following factors:

a) What are the risks?

What sort of incidents and accidents could occur on the premises? These could range from minor cuts, burns etc. to major life threatening injuries.

b) How many people are employed?

The General Safety Regulations (GNR.1031 of 30 May 1986) require the appointment of a certified first aider as soon as 10 or more individuals are employed at a workplace. Thereafter the specified ratio is one first aider for every 50 employees, or one first aider for every 100 employees in the case of shops or offices. These are however, minimum requirements for legal compliance. It may be that the premises are very large, or that workers are required to work shifts. In that case, more first aiders will need to be appointed.

c) Are any hazardous substances kept and/or used on the premises?

The same Regulations specify that if applicable, first aiders be given specific training and equipment to deal with any emergencies related to the above. This may include the need to provide deluge showers and eye wash stations if there is a risk of large or sudden exposures to hazardous chemicals.

d) What training is required?

Taking into consideration the risks involved, appointed candidates will need to be given accredited training in order to be certified as first aiders. A Level 1 First Aid certificate issued by a training provider accredited by the Department of Labour is adequate for most companies. However, if there exists a high risk of severe and complicated injuries, such as head or spinal injuries, falls from height etc. it may be advisable to obtain more advanced training i.e. a First Aid Level 3 certificate which covers these modules. If there are infants or children on the premises, a Level 2 certificate would be advisable, as this course covers the emergency procedures for adults, children and infants. First Aid certificates are valid for a period of 3 years, after which the candidates should be sent for a refresher course, or preferably re-do the course in order to sharpen their skills.

e) What equipment will be required?

Once again, this will depend on your risk assessment. Large facilities such as airports and stadiums require more sophisticated equipment such as AED’s and vehicles to transport casualties long distances to safety. For most companies, the standard first aid kit as specified in Annexure A of the General Safety Regulations is sufficient. The name and contact details of the appointed first aider should be displayed on the kit. For larger companies, it may be possible to designate a first aid room. This may not always be possible for a smaller premises, in which case, a first aid station in a private location would be recommended. First aid equipment should be locked or supervised in order to prevent theft or unauthorised access. The appointed first aider is also responsible to maintain the kit in good condition and replenish any supplies used. The location of first aid stations and equipment should be marked using SABS approved signage.

APPOINTMENT OF FIRST AIDERS:

First Aid personnel should be carefully selected. First discuss with a prospective employee whether he or she would be prepared to perform first aid. Some may be squeamish around blood and injuries. Appointed personnel should also have good inter-personnel skills and be respected in the workplace. Performing first aid can be stressful and first aiders are often required to work quickly and responsibly in difficult conditions. First Aiders should be appointed in writing. The letter of appointment should specify duration of appointment, areas of responsibility, and a signature of the appointee accepting the appointment.

Medication:

Please note that first aiders are not medical professionals and as such are not authorised to dispense any medication. By law, first aid kits should not contain any medication. Employees should be advised to purchase their own medication should the company receive requests. The most important function of first aiders is to stabilize casualties and refer them to medical professionals as soon as possible.

The National Occupational Safety & Health Consultancy offers accredited first aid training services. Our experienced assessors are accredited and qualified to offer quality training. Please feel free to visit us at http://www.safetytraining.co.za/First-Aid-Training.html for a free quote. Alternatively please contact us on 0861 111 232 for more information.

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We are an accredited training company specializing in Occupational Health and Safety. Established in 1986 in Kwa–Zulu Natal. We now operate nationally.