First Aid Policy & Procedure

Document Id: P3.2

Policy
Pathways Health & Education Consultants Pty Ltd has two distinct work environments 1) The Office, and 2) The Teaching environment

1. Office Environment
In this environment the organisation will provide adequate first aid equipment and arrangements to assist in the initial treatment of any incident arising in the workplace. The extent of first aid equipment and arrangements shall be in accordance with the WorkSafe Victoria Edition 1, September 2008, First Aid in the Workplace - Compliance Code, and take into account the size, location and risk of the business. In accordance with the Compliance Code the Pathways Health & Education Consultants Pty Ltd office work environment is classified as a low-risk micro-business. 2. Teaching Environment With respect to the teaching environment, training is provided on behalf of a client organisation. The trainer in this situation is a guest of the client organisation. Learners at the training session are either employees of the client organisation or in some instances, where external learners are present, a guest of the client organisation. In this situation first aid arrangements are provided by the client organisation. The organisation will manage all records concerning reporting of incidents or hazards, in both the office and teaching environments, in a systematic manner to ensure their accuracy and integrity. Where improvements need to be made to prevent an incident occurring, or to prevent it recurring, the appropriate improvement form will be submitted to the Quality group for consideration, and action.

Procedure
Compliance Requirements
To comply with the WorkSafe Victoria First Aid in the Workplace - Compliance Code (D3.2.1), Pathways Health & Education Consultants Pty Ltd provides: 1) A first aid kit containing at least the prescribed list of contents (refer Office First Aid Kit Checklist, F3.2.3) that is clearly identifiable and easily accessible. This first aid kit is located within the kitchen area of the 173 Lawrence Street, Wodonga premises. It is positioned in a clearly visible position on top of the wall cupboards on the southern kitchen wall. 2) A regular checking system to ensure that the first aid kit is maintained and contents past their expiry date are replaced. The checking is undertaken at 6 monthly intervals and is scheduled using the Event Calendar (F1.8.12).

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3) A first aid kit that is clearly marked as such and its location is highly visible to the extent that further signage for its location would be superfluous. 4) Telephone numbers of emergency services at key locations including, landline telephone points and the first aid kit (refer Appendix B). 5) Awareness of the first aid kit location and relevant procedures to be followed for undertaking first aid as part of employee induction training. See Induction Checklist in the Induction Kit (D2.3.8). 6) Information about the first aid kit contents, in clear English, which is located within the kit. 7) Regular staff meetings, which provide a forum for staff discussion.
(Refer WorkSafe Victoria, More Information about First Aid for Low Risk Micro Businesses. May 2009 )

Access to the First Aid Kit

Access to the first aid kit is not restricted, though any usage from the first aid kit must be recorded in the book within the kit. Additionally if any item is used within the first aid kit it must be reported to the OH&S manager so that replacement can be organised.

Motor Vehicle and Travel first aid

Each company owned motor vehicle is also equipped with a first aid kit designed specifically for use/storage in motor vehicles. Staff using company owned motor vehicles must familiarise themselves with the location of the first aid kit. Unless otherwise indicated it will be company policy to store all motor vehicle first aid kits under the drivers seat. The conditions for usage of these kits will be as per the office first aid kit: 1) Usage must be recorded in the booklet provided, for organisation of replacement item(s). 2) Usage must be reported to the OH&S manager, using the Incident/Hazard Report Form (F3.1.1). 3) Regular maintenance checking of contents against the included contents list will be undertaken. The checking will be undertaken at 6 monthly intervals and scheduled using the Event Calendar (F1.8.12).

Assessment of Assistance Required

All assessments should err on the side of caution. Where possible, the first aid to be provided, and possible medical treatment required, should be discussed with the receiving worker. Where discussion of the treatment is not possible, first aid should be administered, as required, and an ambulance called immediately using the 000 emergency number. If deemed necessary an ambulance must be called at the earliest possible time.
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If an ambulance is not deemed necessary a person may be transported to outpatients, or a doctor for further treatment, by vehicle.

Assisted Treatment
If one worker is assisting another worker, it is paramount to ensure the safety of the worker who is assisting. This may include: 1) Checking to ensure no hazards exist, such as live electricity. 2) Ensuring adequate personal protection, such as gloves, are utilised. 3) Ensuring that no other injuries are incurred through incorrect lifting or other practices, such as unassisted lifting (refer to Manual Handling Policy and Procedure P3.3) When assisting in the treatment of another person all necessary infection control measures must be taken. This will include wearing of disposable gloves if any body fluids are present and thorough washing of hands or body parts that may have come into contact with blood or other body fluids. Refer to Appendix A for further information of Standard Precautions, (Reprinted from the WorkSafe Victoria, First Aid in the Workplace - Compliance Code.)

Use of analgesics
The office first aid kit provided includes some analgesic tablets. Analgesics must only be self-administered. Usage must be recorded as per other items from the kit.

Reporting
An injury requiring first aid attention must be recorded using the Incident/Hazard Report Form, F3.1.1. Records of these reports will be entered on the Injury/Incident Form Register, R3.1.3. Refer to policy Occupational Health & Safety Policy, P3.1. Depending upon the seriousness of the incident WorkSafe Victoria may also need to be notified immediately. Refer to policy Occupational Health & Safety Policy, P3.1, and Worksafe Incident Notification form, F3.1.6 for further details and guidelines.

Notification of Family and/or Friends

Upon request of the worker receiving first aid, family and/or friends should be notified. In the case of a serious incident the workers emergency contact should be notified. Either the business or RTO manager can obtain this information from the employee files.

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Distribution
This policy is to be made available for information and direction. A copy of this policy shall be located within the office first aid kit. This policy must be filed in the Policy and Procedures Manual.

Associated Documents
D1.0.1 AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration, 2010 D1.0.3 VRQA Guidelines For VET Providers, (Dec. 2009) F3.1.1 Incident/Hazard Report Form R3.1.3 Injury/Incident Form Register D3.1.5 Summary of OHS Act 2004 F3.1.6 WorkSafe Incident Notification form D3.1.8 Guide to Incident Notification D3.2.1 WorkSafe Vic. Edition 1, Sept. 2008, First Aid in the Workplace - Compliance Code D3.2.2 WorkSafe Vic., More Information about First Aid for Low Risk Micro Businesses. May 2009 F3.2.3 Office First Aid Kit Content Checklist

External references
WorkSafe website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/Home/Forms+and+Publicati ons/Forms+and+Publications+Results?docType=Form&plural=Forms http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/resources/file/eba3b6472b22ddc/First%20aid% 20CC.pdf http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe Infection control guidelines for the transmission of infectious diseases in the healthcare setting (Australian Government, 2004). The Australian immunisation handbook (9th edition, NHMRC, Australian Government, 2008)

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Appendix A
Reprinted from WorkSafe Victoria Edition 1, September 2008, First Aid in the Workplace Compliance Code, Appendix F, Pg.27.

Standard precautions
Standard precautions means assuming that all blood and bodily fluids are a potential source of infection, independent of diagnosis or perceived risk. It involves the routine wearing of gloves and other protective clothing by first aid officers, hand washing, and other infection-control measures.

Infection control in the workplace

There are infectious diseases in the workplace that may have life threatening consequences. Standard precautions against infection are the only effective defence. Employers need to develop and implement policies and practices to minimise the risk of disease transmission in the workplace. Employers need to offer to provide a course of hepatitis B immunisation to all employees who are likely to have contact with blood or bodily fluids.

Principles of infection control

Employers need to ensure that all first aid officers understand how infections are transmitted in the workplace and know what preventative procedures to follow.

Precautions to be taken
1) Blood and other bodily fluids
Appropriate barrier precautions (such as disposable gloves, goggles and protective clothing) must be used whenever exposure to blood or bodily fluids is likely, or where moist surfaces occur. Any part of the body that comes in contact with blood or bodily fluids must be washed with soap and water immediately after exposure. The eyes and mouth must be washed with clean water. Appropriate preventative measures must be used to prevent the spread of infection. Any spilt blood must be carefully cleaned up and then surfaces cleaned with disinfectant.

2) Needles and syringes

Sharps are a major cause of incidents involving potential exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. It is not the role of a first aid officer to dispose of these items. The person who uses a sharp needs to be responsible for its safe disposal. Sharps need to be handled with care. They should not be bent, broken or re-sheathed, as these unsafe practices are common causes of sharps injuries. They need to be disposed of in a puncture-resistant sharps container, which should be located as close as possible to the area where sharps are used.

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Document Id: P3.2 3) Linen and disposable items
All items that are soiled with blood or bodily fluids need to be considered infectious waste and placed in suitably labeled bags. All disposable items should be disposed of.

4) Emergency resuscitation
Facemasks need to be made available for use by people who provide emergency expired air resuscitation.

5) First aid disinfection

First aid kits need to include appropriate antiseptic solution, disposable gloves and facemasks suitable for emergency expired air resuscitation. Hand washing before and after administering first aid is essential.

6) Cleaning
Thorough cleaning of all items needs to commence as soon as practicable after use. Gloves need to be worn during cleaning and care needs to be taken to avoid eye splashes. Items must be wiped clean first, and then washed with warm water and detergent. After cleaning, items need to be rinsed in clean water and dried before storing.

7) Disinfection
Disinfection is the inactivation of bacteria, viruses and fungi, but not necessarily bacterial spores. Disinfection can be achieved by boiling or by chemical means. All items need to be cleaned before disinfection.

8) Sterilisation
Sterilisation is the complete destruction of germs. Sterilising is a very involved process and therefore it may be more practical for first aid personnel to stock single-use, disposable, sterile items or to contract out instrument sterilisation to a healthcare facility that has proper sterilising facilities and validation procedures.

9) Further information
Infection control guidelines for the transmission of infectious diseases in the healthcare setting (Australian Government, 2004). The Australian immunisation handbook (9th edition, NHMRC, Australian Government, 2008).

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Appendix B
Key Contact Details
Emergency Wodonga Hospital Wodonga Police Victorian Poisons Information Hot Line Nurse-on-Call (DHS Vic.) WorkSafe Victoria Geoff Greene Ruth Greene 000 02 6051 7111 02 6049 2600 13 11 26 1300 60 60 24 13 23 60 0412200225 0418485392

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