How many first aiders are required in the workplace, how often do they have to be trained/retrained?
Does there need to be one on each shift (for example day and night shift)?
What are the requirements for fire wardens in the workplace as well (over 100 employees on site) including training/retraining, and requirements over various shifts (day and night).
The answer to your first question is to be found the First Aid Compliance Code. This sets out what the employer needs to do to comply with duties under Section 21 (2)(d) of the OHS Act. There are two ‘approaches’ the employer can take – one is the ‘Prescriptive’ Approach, the other is the 'Risk assessment Approach’.
The ‘prescribed’ approach, which sets out numbers, and the ‘Risk Assessment’ approach, which means they need to assess a range of issues to decide what first aid is required, including how many first aiders. Even with the Prescribed approach, there is some level risk control required – is it a ‘low-risk’ workplace or a ‘high-risk’ workplace?
But as a minimum, employers need to ensure there is at least one first aid officer available at any one time. When planning, employers need to take into account coverage during different shifts, leave and flexible work arrangements.
Low-risk workplaces:
- one for 10 - 50 workers
- two for 51 - 100 workers
- one additional for every additional 100 workers
Higher risk workplaces:
- one for up to 25 workers
- two for 26 to 50 workers
- one additional for every additional 50 workers
Look at the information on this page: First Aid – what are the requirements. You’ll find all the information you need there, numbers and training requirements. If you would like more information, see WorkSafe’s First aid in the Workplace Compliance Code
With regard to fire wardens, there’s nothing in in the OHS Act or Regulations, and the section on “Responding to Emergencies” in the Workplace facilities and the working environment Compliance Code does not go into this level of detail. The employer has a duty to ensure that:
“that all workplaces under their management and control have an emergency management plan (‘plan’) that all employees can access at all times, which clearly tells them what to do if there is an emergency.
The plan needs to:
- give employees tools to respond safely to incidents or events that create an emergency which could pose a threat to life, health or property
- include the controlled exit of people from the workplace
- expand on action required under Victorian legislation, regulations and guidelines to prevent risks to life, health or property
If the employer is unsure about any aspect of developing a plan, or if you feel that the evacuation point is too close to the workplace, then the employer needs to - as per s22(2)(b) of the OHS Act – “employ or engage persons who are suitably qualified in relation to ohs to provide advice…”
So, when it comes to working out what fire wardens are required, how many and what training they need, then the employer should get in a company (or the MFB which also does such things) to assist in establishing a plan and working out the training requirements… and they need to involve the HSRs as required under section 35 of the Act.
For more information on Fire and Emergency Evacuation
