According to Safe Work Australia, “a person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace” has a duty to provide first aid. These duties include the following:
Supplying first aid equipment
Making sure this equipment is accessible to team members
Providing appropriate facilities for the administration of first aid
When it comes to first aid, 87% of Australian businesses are unprepared.
If you fail to meet these requirements, you could face an individual penalty of $6000, or a body corporate penalty of $30,000.
An adequate number of employees must be trained to administer first aid, or staff members must have access to trained individuals who can administer first aid.
Risk assessment procedures must be taken to minimise the need for a first aid kit in your workplace. For more information about the WHS Act, take a look at this consolidated version of the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations from Safe Work Australia.
