What first aid arrangements must a Queensland trade employer provide?

What Regulation 42 requires

Section 42 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 requires first aid equipment, worker access and facilities. The training duty can be met through an adequate number of trained workers or access to an adequate number of other trained people.

Sources[2][1]

Fit the arrangements to your work

WorkSafe says requirements vary between places of work depending on the nature of the work, the types of hazards, and the size, location, number and composition of people there. It also says to consider the number of trained first aiders who should be available. The First aid in the workplace Code of Practice 2021 gives further advice.

For a trade business with crews on different sites, our suggestion is to assess each site and vehicle, and think about how a remote crew reaches equipment and trained help.

Sources[1]

Emergency plans sit beside first aid

WorkSafe also expects an emergency plan covering an effective response, evacuation procedures, notifying emergency services at the earliest opportunity, medical treatment and assistance, communication, testing of the procedures and instruction for workers. It is in addition to a fire and evacuation plan under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, and both can be combined in one plan.

WorkSafe suggests keeping emergency numbers handy, including fire, doctor and ambulance, and the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

Sources[1]

Coverage checklist you can copy

This checklist is our example, not a WorkSafe form. Complete it for each site or crew. Replace every square bracket.

FIRST AID COVERAGE CHECK

Crew or site: [name, address]   Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]   Completed by: [name]

Work and hazards: [list]
People on site: [workers, subcontractors, visitors, number]
Location: [metro or remote, distance to help, phone coverage]

First aid kit(s): [location, who can reach it, last checked DD/MM/YYYY]
Facilities for giving first aid: [where]
Trained people: [names, which days on this site]
Cover if the trained person is absent: [arrangement]
Kit in each vehicle used between sites: [yes / no]
Emergency numbers displayed: [yes / no]
Emergency plan briefed to crew: [date, names]

Next review: [DD/MM/YYYY, or sooner if work, hazards or crew change]

Sources[2][1]

What this guide does not cover

It does not set a first-aider ratio or a certificate renewal interval, and it is not medical advice or treatment instruction.

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Common questions

What is the minimum requirement for first aid in the workplace?

In Queensland, the business must provide first aid equipment, make sure workers can access it and provide access to facilities for giving first aid. It must also ensure an adequate number of workers, or other persons, are trained. What is adequate depends on the work, hazards, and the size, location and people at the workplace.[2][1]

How many first aid officers does a workplace require?

Assess an adequate number for the actual work and workplace. Section 42 requires consideration of the nature of the work and hazards, workplace size and location, and the number and composition of people there. Use the First aid in the workplace Code of Practice 2021 when deciding coverage, including absences and crews working at different sites.[1][2]