News | SWS GROUP

First Aid Kits

Written by SWS Group | Jun 20, 2020 6:06:54 AM

We know the world of First Aid Kits can be a little daunting if you’re unfamiliar with what’s available. Will it have the right equipment, or enough of the right contents for me?

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FIRST AID KIT 

How will I know what needs to be in there? How you choose the best First Aid Kit from dozens of potential options is tricky, after all you want enough contents to cover the types of emergencies you might encounter but without making the kit too large for you to use. It’s an important purchase that will save you time and time again, so you want to get the right kit. 

Particularly if you’re purchasing for the workplace, keeping a well-stocked kit on hand is more than just a responsibility, it’s a regulatory requirement. Keeping up with your obligations as an employer as set out in the Worksafe First Aid in the Workplace Compliance Code will ensure you’re doing the best possible to keep the working environment safe and healthy. 

You could spend hours comparing and cross-checking features of First Aid Kits, but your time is more valuable than that! Which is why we’ve prepared this handy guide that takes into account your needs and recommends the best First Aid Kit for you. 

 

Laws surrounding first aid

The model WHS laws impose health and safety duties in relation to first aid. You can find details of those duties  in the model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace.

The Code also has practical information about working out your first aid requirements, equipment, facilities and training needs.

First aid risk assessment

First aid requirements vary from one workplace to another, so you  must consider all relevant factors at your workplace when deciding what first aid arrangements you need to have in place, including:

  • the type of work being carried out
  • the hazards at the workplace
  • the size and location of the workplace (for example, the distance between work areas and response times for emergency services) and
  • the number and composition of people at the workplace (for example, workers, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers and visitors).

A thorough first aid risk assessment that considers all of these factors will help you to decide what first aid arrangements to provide. Through this process it should become clear what first aid facilities, equipment and training  are needed. Review your first aid risk assessment regularly in consultation with your workers to ensure your arrangements stay adequate and effective.

Equipment and personnel

You must give your workers access to:

  • first aid equipment and facilities
  • trained first aiders.

Keep first aid kits close to areas where there is a higher risk of injury or illness, as well as inside work vehicles if workers are expected to travel as part of their job.

The basics of choosing the best first aid kit

Regardless of the purpose and use of your kit, there are a few things you should look for: 

  • Easily recognisable: anyone should be able to identify the First Aid Kit from its appearance, commonly a white cross on a green background 
  • Quality casing: this should be durable enough to protect the contents from dust and damage 
  • Regulatory approval: a listing on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods will guarantee you are buying something that is of the highest therapeutic standards 

If a kit you are looking at fails any one of these points, it’s time to look elsewhere. Cleanpro offers a full range of First Aid solutions to help consolidate your supply chain. We are one supplier who can provide a managed service for eyewash stations, burn stations and wall mounted first aid kits to suit different sized businesses and different industries.

It's now easier than ever to look after your workplace health and well-being! Cleanpro is taking fuss away from managing Workplace First Aid! Safety is at the core of any business and First Aid is essential for maintaining workplace health and well-being. Australian regulations require workplaces to have First Aid kits available, stocked and easily accessible for personnel.

Traditionally, the responsibility of maintaining Workplace First Aid has fallen on the owners of the business with reactive approaches to restocking. Completing stock takes, taking note of expiry dates and ordering contents are all time consuming activities that can be easily managed out-of-house.

That’s where Cleanpro First Aid steps in!  First Aid Servicing Solutions designed for convenience and compliance. From your office to your fleet, we have you covered!

Call us today on (08) 9336 6944.