WHS First Aid Requirements: Is Your Workplace Ready When It Counts?
First aid in the workplace isn’t just a tick-box exercise—it’s about being ready to step up when it matters most. WHS First Aid Requirements are designed to get you thinking. The First Aid Code of Practice helps you consider: do we have what we need to handle emergencies quickly and effectively? Let’s dive into the key areas you should focus on to keep your workplace prepared—and maybe even a little ahead of the game.
1. WHS First Aid Requirements on First Aid Kit Choice
You’d think a first aid kit is a first aid kit, right? Wrong. Some kits are so bare-bones you’d be lucky to find a decent bandage. Others are crammed with random bits and pieces that won’t help much in an emergency.
If someone’s hurt and you open the kit to find flimsy supplies or half-empty packs, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. A good kit isn’t just well-stocked; it’s reliable. WHS First Aid Requirements in the code of practice give a sample list of what a good kit should include as well as additional things to consider.
Think of it like this: when something goes wrong, you want the tools to handle it—not a cheap box full of wishful thinking. Get the good stuff now, and thank yourself later.
2. Think About Risks: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Different workplaces face different hazards. A risk assessment isn’t just a WHS box to tick—it’s about tailoring your first aid setup to your environment. Here’s why it matters:
Examples of workplace risks and what to include in your first aid setup:
- Chemical-heavy workplaces: Like warehouses or labs, these need more than band-aids—think eye wash stations for chemical exposure.
- Outdoor worksites: On a farm or construction site, a snake bite bandage could make all the difference.
No two workplaces are the same, and neither should their first aid kits be. WHS First Aid Requirements guide you to assess your risks and kit up accordingly.
3. Where You Put the Kit Matters
Picture this: there’s an emergency, and no one can find the first aid kit. Chaos, right? Proper placement saves lives. Here’s how to get it right:
- Place kits in high-risk areas where injuries are most likely (think near machinery, kitchens, or chemicals).
- Keep them visible and accessible. No locked cupboards or mystery drawers.
- For larger sites, have multiple kits—one per floor or department.
Pro tip: Use clear signage to make sure everyone—staff, visitors, and contractors—knows exactly where to go in a crisis.
4. WHS First Aid Requirements on Staff Training
The Code of Practice gives you the starting point:
- Low-risk workplaces need one trained first aider for every 50 workers.
- High-risk workplaces need one trained first aider for every 25 workers.
But that’s just the baseline. It gives you more info to consider to figure out what’s right for your workplace, ask yourself:
- Do you have shift workers? Make sure there’s a trained first aider on every shift.
- Do you have visitors or customers? More people means a higher chance of incidents.
- Are you in a remote location? If emergency help is far away, you’ll need more staff trained to step in.
Here’s a tip: Map out your risks, staff, and work hours, then adjust the numbers to suit your needs. When it comes to first aiders, it’s better to have too many than not enough.
Ready to Get Started? Watch Our Video Guide!
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry—we’ve made it easy. Check out our video guide to the Code of Practice, where we break down everything you need to know about first aid kits, risk assessments, and staff training. It’s clear, practical, and packed with tips to get your workplace ready for anything.
Click here to watch and take the first step towards a safer, more prepared workplace. Because when it counts, you don’t just want to meet the standard—you want to exceed it.
Hey there! I’ve been a first aider since 2012, eventually becoming a first aid trainer and writer. When I’m not writing first aid articles you can find me birding and listening to jangle pop.
