What special considerations apply when selecting kits for remote Australian worksites?
Short Answer: When selecting first aid kits for remote Australian worksites, you must consider the environmental and physical durability of the kits, the risk of prolonged emergency response times, and access to specialised tools and medical supplies (e.g., snake bite kits, spider bite kits, etc.). Overall, when selecting kits for remote worksites, going beyond the basics is an absolute must.
When looking into first aid kits for remote worksites in Australia, you must also factor in the following:
● How does distance from emergency services affect kit selection?
● What additional trauma supplies should remote kits include?
● Do environmental conditions impact storage requirements?
● How often should remote kits be checked and replenished?
How does distance from emergency services affect kit selection?
The distance from emergency services is one of the most significant factors that influence your first aid kit selection. When you are far from emergency services, the contents of first aid kits must focus on increasing the depth of care.
This means that since it will take some time for emergency services to get to the remote worksite, the first aid kits should have enough supplies to tend to the injury and keep the victim in stable condition for longer periods of time. Life-saving and stabilisation should be priorities with such kits. This translates to high volumes of gauze, trauma dressings, and advanced splints.
At the same time, it would be extremely beneficial for the kits to also include additional supplies for communication, such as whistles or flares. These can alert first responders to your location, especially in poor visibility and harsh terrain. Even if kits don’t come with these supplies, they are definitely worth adding.
What additional trauma supplies should remote kits include?
Since remote first aid kits are intended to effectively treat severe, life-threatening injuries and keep the victim’s condition stable until emergency responders arrive, these trauma supplies are considered absolute essentials.
● Tourniquets, haemostatic bandages
● Sterile gauze pads
● Trauma shears
● Vented chest seals
● SAM splints
● Elastic bandages
● Triangular bandages
● Instant cold packs
● Hydrogel and specialised burn dressings
● Blister care items
● Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) kit
● Thermal blankets
Do environmental conditions impact storage requirements?
Yes, environmental conditions can significantly impact first aid storage requirements. When exposed to environmental conditions such as dust, heat, moisture, and direct sunlight, first aid supplies can lose their sterility and structural integrity. At the same time, active ingredients in medication can break down and sometimes form toxic substances.
As such, the first aid kits should be stored in cool, dry locations with temperatures between 15℃ and 25℃ (59℉ - 77℉). Make sure to avoid placing kits close to radiators or the hot attic, since extreme temperature fluctuations can impact the supplies. Bathrooms and kitchens are not ideal for storing first aid kits, since these are locations with high humidity.
In warehouses and factories, you will need to use durable and hard-shell plastic cases instead of fabric bags. The hard-shell cases will help keep the supplies safe from dust and moisture.
If kits are stored in vehicles, make sure to park the vehicles under the shade or take the kit out of the vehicle when parking the vehicle outside. The heat buildup inside the vehicle can impact the effectiveness of both first aid items and medication.
How often should remote kits be checked and replenished?
Remote first-aid kits should be checked and replenished on a regular basis. The checks should take place under the following situations:
● Immediate replenishment - After each use, note down the supplies that were used and restock them immediately to ensure that the kit is fully equipped for the next emergency.
● Damaged or expired supplies – Supplies lose their sterility and effectiveness over time. As such, using damaged or expired items can also result in complications. Damaged and expired supplies must be immediately removed and replaced.
● 3-6 month check – An extensive check of all first aid kits and supplies in the workplace should be done, especially for medications which could have been exposed to heat and moisture.
Related Questions
Q: Are snakebite supplies important for remote Australian worksites?
Yes. Australia is home to some of the most dangerous snakes in the world, most of them found in remote areas. As such, snakebite supplies like snakebite compression bandages can be a valuable addition to first aid kits. The SURVIVAL snakebite kit has everything you need to deal with any snake-related emergency in the workplace.
Q: How many first aid kits should a remote worksite have?
The exact number of first aid kits a worksite should have depends on the size of the workforce, site layout, the hazards of the worksite, and the distance to the nearest emergency service provider.
In general, Safe Work Australia recommends one first aid kit for every 10 workers in a high-risk, remote workplace.
If you’re preparing first aid kits for remote workplaces in Australia, you need to go beyond the basics and focus on specialised tools and medical supplies. When medical help is hours away, these supplies can help stabilise the patient and buy time until help arrives. At the same time, you must also look into how these essential supplies can be effectively protected against the elements and the outdoors.
If you’re looking for first aid kits that can tackle the challenges of remote workplaces in Australia, then SURVIVAL is the place for you. We understand the challenges of remote, inhospitable workplaces better than most. That’s why our kits are built to last and have everything you need to respond to all sorts of emergencies.