Do workplaces with rotating shifts need additional first aid provisions?
Short Answer: Yes. To ensure compliance with Australian WHS regulations, workplaces with rotating shifts need to ensure adequate first aid provisions, access to treatment facilities, and availability of trained first responders. In general, workers need to have access to supplies and facilities that help them effectively respond to an emergency, regardless of the time or shift they are working.
To understand more about first aid requirements for shift workers, you also need to look into the following:
● Should every shift have a trained first aid officer?
● Does staff count per shift affect kit numbers?
● How can 24-hour sites maintain kit readiness?
● Are overnight risk levels different from daytime operations?
Should every shift have a trained first aid officer?
According to Safe Work Australia, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has a duty to provide access to at least one first aid kit, first aid facilities, and trained first aid people (first aiders).
It also specifies that “Your workers must be able to access first aid equipment and facilities, and trained first aiders, at all times. This includes night shifts, overtime, and working outside the usual workplace.”
The Model Code of Practice points out that the PCBUs can ensure trained first aid officers are readily available in the workplace at all times by either:
● Training one or more of your own workers to administer first aid, or
● Arranging for a person who does not work for you to administer first aid to your workers, provided they are trained to do so.
The chosen first aid officers, at a minimum, must hold nationally recognised statements of attainment issued by a registered training organisation (RTO). The award must be for the nationally endorsed first aid unit of competency 'Provide First Aid' or a course providing equivalent skills.
Does staff count per shift affect kit numbers?
Yes, the number of staff per shift directly dictates the number of first aid kits in the workplace.
According to Safe Work Australia, in low-risk workplaces, there should be at least one first aid kit for every 50 employees. In high-risk workplaces like construction sites, the recommended ratio is one kit for every 25 employees. At the same time, in remote, high-risk workplaces like mines, there should be one kit for every 10 employees.
It is also worth pointing out that shift-specific supplies should also be included in first aid kits. For example, for the night shift, the kits can be complemented by non-medical supplies like glow sticks and headlamps. These supplies can help first responders overcome the challenges of low-light conditions.
How can 24-hour sites maintain kit readiness?
If your worksite is a 24-hour site, you must adhere to strict maintenance routines to keep your first aid kits compliant, fully stocked, and ready to deal with emergencies. Here’s what you can do to maintain kit readiness:
● Adopt shift change checks- Assign someone to conduct mandatory checks of the kits before every shift starts and ends. Verify whether the kit is in the correct locations and the supply seals are intact. Note down the supplies that are used during the shift.
● Accessibility over security- Do not keep your first aid kits locked behind a key or passcode. If you are required to lock the supplies, make sure authorised persons are nearby, or that employees have an individual key or passcode they can use.
● Environmental protection- Make sure to store the first aid kits in a cool and dry place. The supplies must be protected from dust, moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.
● Adopt an immediate restock policy- When the use of supplies has been notified, take steps to immediately replenish them. You need to make sure that the kit is fully stocked for the next emergency.
● Maintain a logbook or inventory management system- keep physical and digital logbooks for first aid kits and medical supplies. Make a note of which items were removed and by whom.
● Quarterly expiry audits- Schedule routine supply checks every 3 to 6 months. During these checks, note down and replace the supplies that have been used up, damaged, or expired.
Are overnight risk levels different from daytime operations?
It is widely accepted that overnight operation risk levels are higher than daytime operations. Some of the factors that elevate the risk levels in night operations include the following:
● Fatigue and slower reaction times- The lack of sleep can impair a person’s concentration, motor skills, and judgment. This increases the risk of accidents.
● Poor visibility- At night, it is difficult to see, and the lack of visibility can delay response time, especially when an accident has occurred outdoors.
● Lone working and lower staffing- Night shifts typically have fewer employees. As such, there is a possibility that an injured worker would go unnoticed for an extended period without assistance. This is especially the case in remote, high-risk workplaces.
● Delayed external help- Response times can slow down dramatically during the night. As such, first aid kits must be self-sufficient and have supplies to stabilise the condition until help arrives.
Related Question
Q: How often should shift-work first aid setups be reviewed?
First aid arrangements for shift work should be reviewed on a regular basis. The review should take place when changes occur to the staff roster, workplace layout, and when new risks are introduced.
Conclusion
When your workplace operates under shifts, each shift must have the first aid supplies they need to effectively respond to any emergency. Day or night, worker safety remains a top priority. If you’re looking to equip your workplace with the best of the best, then SURVIVAL is the place for you. Our first aid kits and accessories are durable, high-quality, smartly organised, and designed for Australian businesses. Our mission is to make safety simple, powerful, and accessible to all.
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