First Aid Assessment
A First Aid Assessment is a risk review required by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to determine necessary first aid equipment, facilities and training for an Australian workplace.
A structured review to determine first aid needs for a workplace. It ensures you have the right equipment and trained staff for specific risks.
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About this Document
A First Aid Assessment is a critical safety review for every Australian business. It helps you decide what first aid equipment, facilities and training you need. This document is not just a formality. It is a legal requirement under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. This guide explains the assessment process. It covers what you need to do to meet your duty of care. Under Australian law, a person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure the provision of first aid equipment. You must also ensure access to facilities and trained staff. The level of first aid provided must match the risks of the work. This varies greatly between a retail shop and a construction site. A generic first aid kit is often not enough. You need to assess your specific hazards. This document walks you through identifying hazards. It helps you assess risks and control measures. It explains how to determine the number of first aiders required. It helps you choose the right kits and equipment. It also covers the location of first aid facilities. The Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 support the Act. They detail specific requirements for first aid. Safe Work Australia publishes the Model Code of Practice on First Aid in the Workplace. This code provides practical guidance. It is not law in itself but following it is the best way to comply. If a SafeWork inspector visits your site, they will ask for your risk assessment. They want to see evidence that you have thought about your specific risks. If you do not have a documented assessment, you risk significant fines. The guide also covers the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4815. This standard relates to office-based health care. It also mentions AS/NZS 4816 for cleaning and sterilising reusable medical devices. These standards apply if you provide higher level medical equipment. For most trades and small businesses, the Code of Practice is the main reference. The guide begins by defining the purpose of the assessment. It helps you identify the nature of the work. It helps you identify the size and location of the workplace. You need to consider the number of workers. You must also consider others at the workplace like visitors and clients. Next, the guide details how to identify hazards. You must look at the nature of hazards. This includes manual handling, noise, machinery use and hazardous chemicals. You must consider the risk of injury. For example, a roof tiler works at heights. The risk of a fall is high. This requires specific first aid items like splints and trauma dressings. A painter works with solvents. This requires eye wash stations and specific burn treatments. The guide explains how to consult with workers. Consultation is a legal requirement under the WHS Act. Your workers know the risks better than anyone. You must involve health and safety representatives if you have them. The assessment must consider the location of the workplace. If you work in a remote area, you need more supplies. You might need a rescue stretcher or a satellite phone. If an ambulance takes an hour to arrive, your first aider needs advanced skills. The guide outlines how to determine the number of first aiders. You must consider the number of people. You must consider the shifts. You must consider the hazards. A low risk office with 10 workers might only need one appointed person. A high risk construction site with 50 workers needs multiple trained first aiders. The guide clarifies the difference between an appointed person and a trained first aider. An appointed person looks after the kit and calls emergency services. A trained first aider holds a current certificate. This certificate must be from a registered training organisation. It usually includes Provide First Aid HLTAID011. The guide lists the contents of a first aid kit. It references the Code of Practice recommendations. It explains the difference between low risk and high risk kits. It details the need for warning signs. It explains where to place kits. They must be accessible and clearly marked. The guide also covers first aid rooms. Large workplaces or high risk sites need a dedicated room. It lists the minimum requirements for a first aid room. It includes hygiene, lighting and access. It also discusses the need for automated external defibrillators or AEDs. These are now recommended for all workplaces. They are essential for sudden cardiac arrest. The guide explains how to maintain the equipment. Kits must be checked regularly. Expired items must be replaced. Records must be kept of inspections. The guide addresses common mistakes. One mistake is buying a generic kit and forgetting about it. Another is failing to update the assessment when work changes. If you start using new chemicals, you must update your assessment. If you move to a larger site, you need to review your needs. The guide explains how often to review the assessment. You must review it regularly. You must review it after any incident. You must review it if there is a change in work practices. This ensures your first aid provision remains adequate. The guide provides a plain English summary of legal references. It cites the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth). It references the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth). It references Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice. It helps you understand the connection between these documents. It ensures you know your legal duties. The duty of care requires you to eliminate risks so far as reasonably practicable. If you cannot eliminate a risk, you must minimise it. First aid is a control measure. It treats injuries if prevention fails. It is the last line of defence. But it is a necessary one. The guide concludes with a checklist. You can use this to verify your assessment is complete. It ensures you have covered every risk. It ensures your workers are safe. It ensures your business complies with the law. Ignoring first aid requirements is not worth the risk. The cost of a kit or training is small compared to the cost of a serious injury. A serious injury can lead to heavy fines. It can lead to prosecution. It can lead to loss of reputation. Completing a thorough First Aid Assessment protects your workers. It protects your business. It gives you peace of mind.
Key Facts
- A PCBU must ensure the provision of first aid equipment and facilities for the workplace.— Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth)
- The number of first aiders required depends on the number of workers and the level of risk.— Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
- First aiders must hold a current Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) certificate from a registered training organisation.— Australian Resuscitation Council
- Low risk workplaces require one first aider for every 50 workers.— Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
- High risk workplaces require one first aider for every 25 workers.— Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
- First aid kits must be clearly identifiable and accessible to all workers.— Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth)
- An automated external defibrillator (AED) is recommended for all workplaces.— Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
- Employers must consult with workers when determining first aid requirements.— Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth)
Sources
Required Sections
Hazard Identification
This section lists the specific dangers in the workplace that could cause injury.
Hazard Identification Table
| Workplace Hazard | Potential Risk Level | Potential Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Working at heights | High | Fractures, head injuries, concussion, spinal damage |
| Hazardous manual handling | Medium to High | Musculoskeletal disorders, back strain, herniated discs |
| Operating plant and machinery | High | Amputations, crushing injuries, deep lacerations, electric shock |
| Exposure to airborne substances | Medium | Respiratory issues, chemical burns, eye irritation |
| Noise exposure | Medium to High | Permanent hearing loss, tinnitus |
| Extreme temperatures | Medium | Heat stress, heat stroke, dehydration, hypothermia |
| Electrical work | High | Electrocution, cardiac arrest, severe burns |
| Slips, trips and falls | Low to Medium | Sprains, bruises, cuts, head injuries |
Identifying Specific Hazards
The first step in a first aid assessment is spotting what could go wrong. You must look at your workplace and find the specific things that might hurt your workers or visitors. Under the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act), you have a duty of care to protect the health and safety of everyone at your workplace. This starts with identifying hazards.
A hazard is anything that could cause harm. For tradespeople and small businesses, hazards are often part of the daily job. You might work with dangerous tools, heights, or chemicals. You cannot manage a risk if you do not know it exists. Look at the physical work environment. Check for uneven ground, exposed wiring, or wet surfaces. Think about the work itself. Repetitive lifting can cause strain over time. Loud machinery can damage hearing.
You should look at your standard operating procedures and any previous incident reports. Accidents often happen during non-routine tasks like maintenance or cleaning. Speak to your workers. They know the risks better than anyone because they do the work every day. Ask them what makes them feel unsafe.
The Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace provides guidance on how to identify hazards. It says you must consider the nature of the work, the hazards at the workplace, the size and location of the workplace, and the number of workers. If you are in construction, the hazards differ vastly from a retail shop. A remote site has different risks than a city office.
Once you list the hazards, you must decide how serious they are. This is the risk level. A high risk, like working with live electricity or on a roof, requires strict controls and immediate access to first aid. A low risk might need a simple solution. You must record these findings. Good hazard identification helps you decide what first aid equipment you need, what training your staff should have, and how many first aiders are required on site. This process is not a one off task. You must review it whenever something changes at work, like new machinery or different work hours.
First Aider Requirements
This section calculates how many trained staff members are needed.
Determining the correct number of first aiders is a core obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (WHS Regulations). To meet your duty of care, you must align your staff numbers with the specific risks associated with your industry.
Start by categorising your workplace risk level. A high-risk workplace involves hazards that could result in serious injury or illness and require immediate emergency action. In a trade context, this typically includes construction sites, mobile plant operations, electrical work, confined spaces, or using hazardous chemicals. A low-risk workplace involves office-based work or tasks where hazards are minimal and do not require specialised safety controls.
For low-risk workplaces, the widely accepted benchmark is a ratio of one first aider for every 50 workers. For example, if you run a plumbing business with 12 office staff and 30 field staff performing non-hazardous maintenance, you have 42 workers. In this scenario, one trained first aider is sufficient to meet the 1:50 requirement. However, if your team expands to 55 workers, you must legally appoint a second qualified first aider.
High-risk workplaces demand stricter supervision due to the severity of potential injuries. Here, the ratio shifts significantly to one first aider for every 25 workers. Consider a construction site with a crew of 30 tradespeople and labourers. Under the 1:25 ratio, a single first aider is not enough. You are required to have at least two first aiders on site. This ensures that if one person is injured, another is immediately available to administer first aid and manage the emergency response.
Remember that these ratios serve as a minimum standard. You must also consider the unique layout of your worksite. If your business operates across multiple floors, in remote locations, or across several distinct job sites, you may need additional first aiders to ensure no worker is more than a few minutes away from help. , the Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace advises that first aiders should be readily available during all operational hours. If your workforce operates in shifts, each shift usually requires its own designated first aider to maintain compliance.
Always reference AS/NZS 3798:2014 regarding the level of training required. Ensure your selected staff hold a current statement of attainment for the nationally recognised units of competency, such as HLTAID011 Provide First Aid. Regularly review your first aider numbers whenever your workforce changes or you take on higher-risk contracts.
Equipment and Facilities
This section details the kits, signs and rooms needed.
First Aid Kits
The business must provide first aid kits that are appropriate for the workplace. Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, kits must be suitable for the hazards at the site and the number of workers. For most trade businesses, a Standard Kit complies with AS/NZS 2675:1. However, if your crew works with hazardous chemicals or machinery, you may need an Expanded Kit, a Module Kit, or an Injury-Specific Kit. Check AS/NZS 2675:1 to ensure your kit contents match the risks identified in your risk assessment.
Kits must be placed in locations where they are easy to get to quickly. For a single-level site, this is usually a central location. For multi-level construction sites, you must have a kit on every level where work is performed. Keep kits close to high-risk areas, such as welding stations or chemical storage, but protect them from dust and moisture. Do not lock first aid kits. If theft or damage is a risk, store them in a clearly marked, unlocked cabinet or enclosure.
Inspect first aid kits regularly. Assign a responsible person, such as the Workplace First Aid Officer or Site Supervisor, to check kits every three months. They must look for expired items, missing stock, or damaged packaging. Restock the kit immediately after use. Keep an inventory checklist inside the kit cover to record inspection dates and restocking needs.
Eye Wash and Safety Equipment
If workers handle hazardous substances that can splash into eyes, or work with fine dust and airborne particles, you must provide eye wash equipment. Portable eyewash stations are practical for mobile trades. Ensure the water in portable units is changed weekly to prevent bacterial growth. For fixed sites with high chemical risks, plumbed eyewash units are preferred. They must be located within 10 seconds of the hazard and on the same level. The path to the station must be clear of obstacles. Eye wash equipment must comply with AS/NZS 4775.
First Aid Rooms
A dedicated First Aid Room is not required for every business. You must provide a room if your risk assessment identifies a high risk of serious injury or illness, or if you have a large workforce. For example, a large construction site with over 100 workers usually requires a room. If a room is required, it must be accessible, well-lit, and ventilated. It must contain a sink with hot and cold water, a couch or bed, a chair, storage for medical supplies, and a phone or communication device. A clearly visible sign must identify the room at the entrance. Ensure the room remains clean and available exclusively for first aid.
Emergency Access
This section covers how emergency services will reach the site.
Emergency Access and Ambulance Response
You must plan how an ambulance will reach your site and how long it will take. In a medical emergency, every minute counts. You need to record the estimated ambulance response time in this assessment and provide clear instructions for emergency services.
Ambulance Response Times
Response times vary depending on your location. In metropolitan areas of Australia, ambulances usually arrive within 10 to 15 minutes for life-threatening cases. In regional, rural, or remote locations, the wait can be significantly longer, sometimes exceeding 30 minutes. You must contact your local ambulance service or check their website to find the average response time for your specific job site. Write this time down.
Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation), a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers have access to first aid equipment. If an ambulance cannot reach your site quickly, you must provide additional first aid kits, trained personnel, or specific equipment like Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to bridge that gap.
Site Access Instructions
Do not assume paramedics know how to get into your property. You must document precise instructions. This is critical for sites with restricted access.
Key Details to Include:
- Street Address: Be specific. If the site is a large block, a mining camp, or a construction zone, include the specific entrance or bay number.
- Gates and Barriers: If the site has a locked gate, you must state how emergency services can enter. Do not force them to wait for a key. Provide the lock code, combination, or the location of a hidden key in a secure box like a Fire Department Knox Box.
- Terrain and Obstacles: Describe the ground conditions. Is the driveway steep, narrow, or unsealed? Can a standard ambulance vehicle fit, or will paramedics need a 4x4 or an off-road stretcher? Mention large potholes, speed bumps, or low-hanging branches.
- Best Meeting Point: If the main work area is hard to find or far from the road, identify a clear landmark or a safe area where paramedics can park their vehicle. Explain the route from this meeting point to the patient.
- Hazards: List any dangers paramedics might face, such as overhead powerlines, deep excavations, forklifts, or aggressive dogs.
Update this section whenever site conditions change. Clear instructions save time and reduce the risk of emergency services getting stuck or lost. Compliance with Australian Standard AS 3743-2010 (Selection, preparation and maintenance of first aid kits) and the Safe Work Australia First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice requires you to consider access when determining your first aid needs.
Consultation Record
This section proves workers were involved in the process.
Record of Consultation
You must record the names of every person involved in your first aid assessment. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and similar state laws, you have a duty to consult with workers who carry out work for you. You also need to consult with any health and safety representatives. This is not just a paperwork exercise. It is a legal requirement to ensure your first aid plan actually covers the risks on site.
Write the full name and role of each person you spoke with. This includes your own staff, subcontractors, and labour hire staff. If you have a Health and Safety Representative (HSR), list them here. If you do not have an HSR, list the names of the workers who represented their mates during the discussion.
For each person listed, briefly note what they contributed. For example, a concrete worker might point out the high risk of burns from wet cement. They would tell you that you need specific burn gel and plenty of clean running water on site. A traffic controller might highlight the need for a portable first aid kit that can be carried to a remote location. These practical insights are for compliance with AS 3743.1:2014 (Workplace first aid) and Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace.
If you consulted with a specific industry association or an external first aid provider, write their organisation name and the contact person. You should also record the date of the consultation. This proves you are proactive about safety. It creates a paper trail if a Work Health and Safety (WHS) inspector visits your site.
Who to include
- Health and Safety Representatives (HSR): If you have one, they must be part of the process.
- Supervisors and Team Leaders: They know the daily hazards better than anyone else.
- Workers doing the hands-on work: They know where the pain points are and what injuries happen most often.
- Contractors: If they share your workplace, they face the same risks and need access to your kits.
- Other Persons: This includes anyone else you might have asked, such as a property manager or the building owner.
Keep this record updated. If you start a new job with different hazards, or if your team changes significantly, consult again and add the new names to this list. A specific consultation about a high-risk activity like working with asbestos or at heights must be recorded separately or attached here. This ensures your first aid assessment remains valid and useful for everyone on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a First Aid Assessment?
When do I need a First Aid Assessment?
Is a First Aid Assessment legally required in Australia?
Who can conduct a First Aid Assessment?
How often should I review my First Aid Assessment?
What is the difference between a low risk and high risk workplace?
Do I need an AED in my workplace?
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