New focus on first aid

Hospitality businesses will need to prepare for new first-aid legislation which comes into force on December 10.

Hospitality Industry Training SA wants all employers and managers to get ready for the legislation now to avoid being caught unprepared when the changes come into force.

The Approved Code of Practice for First Aid in the Workplace will require employers to prepare and maintain policies and procedures to protect the health and safety of staff.

It includes ensuring there is the required number of first-aid staff for their business on duty during all trading hours.

The code also puts responsibility on employers and self-employed workers to ensure customers and visitors are safe from injury and risks to their health.

Executive officer Olivia Muller says the level of risk in the workplace determines the number of designated first-aiders who are required to be on duty to provide first aid.

She says first-aiders will need to have a current statement of attainment, or obtain a nationally recognised qualification, under the new code of practice.

“The legislation will have a huge impact on workplaces, with every workplace now requiring a number of designated first-aiders during all trading hours,” she says.

“Employers need to assess their level of risk now and start planning and enrolling the staff they are going to train in first aid.

“To determine the level of risk in your workplace, employers should read the new Approved Code of Practice for First Aid in the Workplace, which can be downloaded from the HIT SA website.”

HIT SA is offering a Senior First-Aid course.

This is taught by nurses and paramedics to hospitality employers to help their staff meet the requirements.