What first aid kit should professional truck drivers carry?
Short Answer: Professional truck drivers should carry first aid kits that are portable, comprehensive, easily accessible, and ideal for storing inside a vehicle. The medical supplies inside the first aid kits could be tailored for long-haul and remote driving. As such, the essential supplies include adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, pain relief, and other over-the-counter medications.
When looking into truck driver first aid kit requirements, you must also look into the following:
● Are there transport industry compliance rules to follow?
● What injuries are common in freight and loading work?
● Should drivers carry trauma supplies for remote routes?
● How can fleet operators standardise driver kits?
Are there transport industry compliance rules to follow?
According to Safe Work Australia, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has the responsibility to ensure that a workplace has the proper amount of first aid kits and supplies to cover the needs of all the employees in the workplace.
As per the guidelines, if employees are required to travel for work, a first aid kit must be present inside the work vehicle. As such, when it is a commercial trucking fleet, each truck or vehicle used in the course of business must contain a vehicle first-aid kit.
What injuries are common in freight and loading work?
Freight and loading are considered a high-risk sector, and injuries in this sector often stem from manual tasks, falls, and vehicle interactions. Some of the most common injuries in freight and loading work include the following:
● Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) – Sprains, strains, and back injuries are all part of this category of injuries. These injuries are by far the most common, accounting for over 45% of claims.
● Back strain - When lifting, carrying, and pushing crates and cartons over prolonged periods of time, it can cause significant strain to the back.
● Falling from heights - Falls are common during loading and unloading processes, accounting for around 1 in 10 non-fatal serious injury claims.
● Contusions and crushing – These are injuries sustained when you get caught between forklifts, machinery, and falling objects.
● Cuts and lacerations - These injuries can occur when using cutting tools or handling freight with sharp surfaces.
● Shoulder and neck strains - Repetitive, long-term, and high-intensity work can ultimately cause the body to develop shoulder and neck strains.
Should drivers carry trauma supplies for remote routes?
Yes, truck drivers travelling in remote Australian routes should absolutely consider carrying trauma supplies as a key component of their first-aid setup. In the event of a serious emergency, truck drivers on remote routes will not have access to immediate medical attention. As a result, having the right trauma supplies could mean the critical difference between life and death.
As such, the most useful trauma supplies for a truck driver to carry include trauma dressings, compression bandages, tourniquets, an emergency blanket, CPR face shields, and extra gloves.
Apart from the trauma supplies, you must also contain supplies to deal with environmental risks such as extreme heat, dehydration, and snakebites. As such, hydration supplies and a snakebite kit are smart additions.
How can fleet operators standardise driver kits?
For fleet operators, the best way to ensure compliance with WHS regulations and the safety of their drivers is to create a consistent, company-wide safety setup. Here’s what fleet operators can do to standardise driver first aid kits across the fleet.
● Adopt standardised kits and first aid contents – To ensure uniformity across the fleet, the company can recommend or provide a specific type of high-quality first aid kit and medical supplies.
● Implement a regular inspection programme – First aid kits aren’t things to be bought, stored, and forgotten. To make sure that everyone’s first-aid kits are up to standard, the company can implement a regular inspection process. For example, a check before every departure or once every week/month.
● Introduce a kit refill system – As the items get used up, damaged, or expire, the kits will need to be replenished. Establishing a kit refill system will make it easier for drivers to report which supplies were used and refill the kits accordingly.
● Provide standardised training – A first aid kit won’t be effective if the person doesn’t know how to use what’s inside. That being the case, the company should encourage or mandate first-aid training. This training will be extremely useful, especially for the use of advanced trauma supplies.
Related Question
Q: Is first aid training important for truck drivers?
Absolutely. Even the most basic first aid treatment will help drivers effectively respond to any emergency on remote Australian roads. First aid training will be especially useful when handling advanced trauma supplies.
When travelling on the long and remote roads of Australia, having a well-equipped first aid kit can make your road trips so much safer and can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. Whether you’re managing a fleet or driving solo, SURVIVAL first aid kits are here to help. Designed for the Australian conditions, our first aid kits have everything you need to respond to any type of emergency, even when help is some time away. Shop SURVIVAL and be prepared for wherever the highway takes you.