First Aid Requirements in the Workplace
Employers are responsible for first aid in the workplace. To determine the first aid requirements of your workplace, first you’ll need to do an assessment. Then, you can review the findings and take necessary steps to put proper first aid procedures in place. If you’re an employer, you are responsible for first aid in the workplace.
First aid in the workplace is about providing workers with prompt, easily accessible, and appropriate first aid treatment. Depending on your workplace, you might need some or all of the following:
- Occupational first aid attendants with the training appropriate for the type of workplace, number of workers, and time to a hospital.
- Proper facilities, such as first aid rooms or dressing stations.
- First aid kits with appropriate types and quantities of supplies.
- A record-keeping system so incidents can be logged.
- Appropriate means of transporting injured workers to medical aid.
- Effective means of communication between first aid attendants and workers served, and for the first aid attendant to call for assistance.
- Conduct a first aid assessment
To determine an adequate and appropriate level of first aid coverage, the first step is a first aid assessment. This doesn’t need to be complicated. But it does call for a full review of your workplace. The assessment will help you determine the minimum level of first aid needed in your workplace. First aid levels are outlined in the OHS Regulation Schedule 3-A: Minimum Levels of First Aid.
Steps to first aid assessment can be found on the WorkSafeBC website