Choosing The Right First Aid Solution For Your Workplace
What's the right first aid solution for your workplace?
When it’s time to equip your working environment with a first aid solution, it is important to ensure that you’re able to meet your workplace size, risk and accessibility needs. First aid kits are essential pieces of safety equipment to provide immediate assistance in the event of a workplace injury and to meet necessary compliance.
Ensure the safety and wellbeing of your team with our range of high quality first aid kits and medical supplies. Read on for a brief guide on selecting the correct first aid solution.
Assess your workplace needs
Evaluate the nature of your workplace. Small offices may require compact kits with basic supplies, while high-risk environments like construction sites or manufacturing facilities will need comprehensive kits with advanced items such as trauma dressings and burn gels; or semi-permanent equipment such as Emergency Showers and Eye Wash Solutions.
Number of employees
Consider the size of your workforce (including contractors) and select the correct solution in accordance with their accessibility needs. Workers travelling alone in vehicles or working in isolation will each require a kit like the Vehicle/Lone Worker First Aid Kit, while a small group of workers on the same building site may be able to make use of a single kit such as the Industrial 1-25 Person First Aid Kit. Workplaces in hazardous environments or dealing with dangerous materials, may require multiple large first aid kits or semi-permanent solutions, depending on the number of workers and their accessibility to the nearest first aid solution.
Understand risk levels
Identify workplace hazards. Low-risk environments may need kits for minor injuries like cuts or sprains. High-risk areas may require first aid kits and solutions equipped for serious injuries, including fractures, burns, or deep wounds. When dealing with hazardous materials that could come into contact with the skin or eyes, workplaces may need to install semi-permanent solutions such as Emergency Showers or Eye Wash Stations.
Keep in mind that all of these first aid solutions are not an alternative for hazard control. The correct PPE and risk control measures should be put in place for the safety and wellbeing of workers. Ensuring the correct training is provided when working with machinery and hazardous materials will help to minimise the risk of a workplace injury occurring.
Featured: The Pratt Emergency Shower/Eyewash Station in use, showcasing the AEROSTREAM technology that provides a gentle cascade of soft flow water to flush away any hazardous materials from the eyes and face.
Understand NZ first aid compliance
In New Zealand, employers (PCBU) have a duty to provide workers with access to first aid facilities in the event of a workplace injury or accident. Adequate first aid stations, along with appropriate signage and trained first aiders are all required to ensure a safe and compliant working environment. For more information around specific requirements relating to your business, refer to WorkSafe New Zealand for health and safety guidance.
Ongoing duty & maintenance
As components of your first aid kits are used, or pass their expiry date, it’s essential that each first aid kit is regularly checked to ensure that it contains the required components and supplies are fit for use. Replace individual components or purchase first aid refill kits regularly to ensure that your kits are always ready for use.
Training for your team and designated first aiders is good practice as part of an ongoing commitment to first aid. WorkSafe recommends that workers are trained in first aid by an organisation accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and refresher training occurs every two years.
Why choose Active Safety for your first aid requirements?
For well over a decade, we have been supplying first aid kits, supplies and emergency solutions to businesses all around New Zealand. Our team at Active Safety are here to support your business and assist in providing guidance on product solutions and services for your workplace.
To explore our full range of options, visit: https://activesafety.co.nz/collections/health-medical-workplace-supplies or see our contact us page for ways to get in touch with the team.