First aid kits

In all Australian States and Territories, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) legislation requires employers to provide first aid for any employee who is injured or becomes ill at work. The legislation varies and can be either a Regulation, Code of Practice or Advisory Standard under an Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act. But the impact is the same.

Legislation can require a large workplace to provide a first aid room in which an occupational health nurse or 'First Aider' carries out first aid treatments. The requirements for first aid and first aid equipment are based on a process of risk assessment in each area of work.

Regardless, employers must provide first aid facilities that are appropriate for the business and its location and are adequate for the immediate treatment of workplace injuries.

First aid facilities include a first aid kit that is appropriate for the number of employees on each site and work environment.

In addition, employers must ensure:

• First aid kits are maintained in proper condition and the contents are replenished as necessary.
• Regular checks are needed to ensure the contents are 'as listed' and have not deteriorated or reached their use-by date.
• First aid kits should have a white cross on a green background with the words 'First Aid' prominently displayed on the outside.
• First aid kits should be located at points convenient to the work force and where there is a risk of injury occurring.
• At least one first aid kit should be provided on each floor of a multi-level workplace.
• Each work vehicle must be provided with a vehicle first aid kit.

For larger companies, complying with the above requirements can be time consuming and costly.

For some, the requirements can go unattended due to a frantic workload.

Now, a managed solution from Australian firm Alsco called the Managed First Aid Service for First Aid Kits is available.

Offered in conjunction with Alsco's sophisticated managed first aid training, the first aid kit management service means that when your company's 'First Aider' employees give first aid to their colleagues, they complete a report that is logged and maintained on a secure Alsco web server.

Because the report contains details of treatment given and materials used, the Alsco system 'knows' what products have been used from each first aid kit and prompts your OH&S staff to replenish stocks.

Also, because at the time your company signed to use Alsco's managed first aid training the expiry dates on items were required and logged, the system also automatically prompts for any items that are about to become 'out of date'.

Also, with Alsco's Managed Rental Program for First Aid Kits,you can be sure that you'll have the first aid supplies you need, specific to injuries, on hand every time.

Alsco's Managed Service has many other advantages:

• An agreed maintenance schedule ensures high quality 'hospital grade' first aid supplies that are never out of date.
• Peace of mind, knowing your first aid kits are auditable to OH&S guidelines, using both log books and our state of the art electronic tracking system.
• Easy budgeting and cashflow management with a flat fee, inclusive of all services and consumables.
• Each item colour-coded for specific injuries, ensuring your staff select the correct first aid kit for each situation.
• Well labelled, transparent packaging means your first aiders can find the right supplies when they're in a hurry and under pressure.
• A service card in each cabinet logs service dates, making it easy to manage.
• Each kit has a logical, standard layout that makes it simple and easy to use.
• Alsco also guarantees a quarterly on-site maintenance service. This means a professional 'First Aid Service' representative inspects every first aid kit and re-stocks any used or expired injury-specific modules.
• For unanticipated high levels of usage, Alsco offers a next-day postage service for client re-stocking upon requests, a service offered at no extra charge.
• Finally, Alsco stays abreast of changes to OH&S requirements nationally as they apply to first aid.
• This means Alsco is in a position to equip all its serviced first aid kit customers with up-to-date supplies.

If your company is interested in a managed first aid kit solution, call 1300 651 706 for further information or to book an on-site survey with one of our consultants.

On the web: www.alscotraining.com.au

For more information on Alsco’s first aid kit supply service, visit www.alscofirstaid.com.au

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