First Aid Procedure

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this procedure is to guide designated First Aid Officers in their duties. The procedure outlines how first aid supplies and equipment will be maintained; how first aid incidents will be recorded; and how workers can access first aid in their workplace.

PROCEDURE

First aid officer responsibilities

First Aid Officers fulfil first aid duties on behalf of the company. A First Aid Officer must:

• Hold and maintain currency of a minimum First Aid Level II certificate or other recognised qualification that supersedes Level II; and

• Be appointed by DCIRS in writing to undertake first aid duties on behalf of its workers; and

• Undertake the necessary duties and additional training and refreshers to fulfil the role (for example, CPR refreshers).

The general duties of a First Aid Officer are:

• Attending to first aid kits and equipment to ensure they are accessible to workers and appropriately stocked and maintained.

• Administering first aid to workers in accordance with their training.

• Assessing when medical assistance is required and acting accordingly.

• Maintaining records of first aid usage and when first aid has been administered.

• Following infection control processes and the safe disposal of sharps and biological hazards.

First Aid Officers must maintain strict confidentiality of a worker’s personal information, including health information disclosed to them while carrying out their duties.

First Aid Officers are responsible to attend the required training and refreshers, but are encouraged to speak to their manager or the Safety Officer about other training that may benefit them in their role.

Access to first aid and associated records

First Aid Officers are identified in DCIRS’s Employee Procedures Handbook and Emergency Preparedness Procedure. When First Aid Officers change, these documents will be updated and employees will receive the updated version by email.

The First Aid Register is located on SharePoint with access granted to First Aid Officers and other relevant staff members. The register will contain sections for:

• First aid stock inventory, documenting the required first aid supplies and their usage and replacement; and

• When a first aid event occurs.

It is the duty of First Aid Officers to maintain the register.

First aid stations

Donald First Aid station: Located in the supply room in reception.

Warracknabeal First Aid station: Located in reception.

First aid supplies

The types of kits and first aid equipment will be determined through risk assessments, first aid records, and worker feedback. This may take into consideration known medical needs within the workforce. See First Aid Management Policy and Risk Management Policy for more information on how DCIRS will manage risks in its workplaces.

Workers who travel for their work will be issued with a vehicle first aid kit, and all company vehicles will include one. Kits must remain in the vehicle and be stowed safely to avoid them becoming a projectile while driving. When items are used from the kit, the worker must report their use promptly to a First Aid Officer.

First Aid Officers will replenish kits when an item has been used, and will undertake periodic checks, at least annually, to check expiry dates, deterioration of product, the seals on sterile products, and missing items. First aid equipment should be maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, and issues with equipment must be reported promptly to the Safety Officer.

Documenting and reporting first aid activities

First Aid Officers are responsible for documenting the use and replacement of first aid items in the First Aid Register. This is an important inventory function as well as ensuring each kit has the required items in the event of an incident.

When first aid is administered to a worker (as opposed to a participant or client) the First Aid Officer who administered it will make a record in the register. The record will include the type of treatment provided, for example, wound dressing, CPR, etc. It will also record any additional medical assistance or recommendations, including calling an ambulance or advising a worker to see their doctor after an incident for follow-up care.

First aid records will support DCIRS with its incident reporting responsibilities. First aid is administered as the highest priority, followed by the completion of an incident report by either the worker, or another witness. This could include the First Aid Officer, if they were present.

It is important for First Aid Officers to record first aid treatment promptly while the events are still fresh. The First Aid Officer must also verbally report a first aid treatment to the worker’s manager, or if they are not available, to the Safety Officer. First Aid Officers must consider the link to safety in the course of their duties and discuss any concerns or recommendations with the Safety Officer. This could include the position of

first aid stations in the workplace, privacy, and other related matters.

If a first aider who is not a First Aid Officer performs first aid in the workplace (unrelated to clients or participants) they must report this to a First Aid Officer at the first available opportunity. Any worker who provides assistance in an emergency or first aid situation must adhere to DCIRS’s reporting processes.

All records will be kept for compliance purposes and to assist DCIRS in its first aid reviews.

Individual first aid needs

Workers should discuss their individual medical needs with their manager, a First Aid Officer, or the Safety Officer. Apart from ensuring safety at work, relevant medical information supports DCIRS in making suitable first aid decisions, including first aid kits and equipment, and First Aid Officer training.

Responsibilities of managers and supervisors

Managers and supervisors will support First Aid Officers, including providing adequate work time for them to undertake their duties. In addition, managers are responsible for providing First Aid Officers with the relevant training and refreshers.

Managers and supervisors will ensure that workers, including new recruits, are aware of first aid procedures and how to access first aid, especially in an emergency.

ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS

• First Aid Management Policy

• Risk Management Policy

• Incident and Risk Reporting Policy

• Training and Development Policy

• Emergency Preparedness Procedure

• Extreme Weather Procedure

• Incident Report Form

• Risk Assessment Form

• Support and Risk Plan

• Working from Home Checklist

• Employee Procedures Handbook

• First Aid Register

• First Aid Officer Agreement

VERSION AND REVIEW INFORMATION

DCIRS reserves the right to amend and vary this procedure from time to time.

Version 1.0: 24 November 2025 | Review Date: 24 November 2028

SCHEDULE

Managers and First Aid Officers can use the Schedule to support their First Aid assessments

Question	Yes	No
Do all workers have access to first aid kits?
Are more first aid kits required?
Are more first aiders needed?
Where workers do not have access to first aiders at all times, are there alternate measures or procedures in place to support these workers?
Do the first aid kits and modules suit the hazards at your workplace?
Are first aid kits well maintained and identifiable to workers?
Is a first aid room required?
Are first aid facilities well maintained?
Do first aiders have skills, training and competencies to provide first aid in your workplace and are their skills up to date?
Do workers know how to access first aid?
Is there easy access for emergency services, like parking for an ambulance?