Australian businesses are failing at first aid

Knoxfield-based toolmaking business Metal Form Group knows all too well the importance of having first aid trained staff available to respond. In March 2011, toolmaker Michael Chua’s heart stopped beating while he was working in the organisation’s warehouse. Three first aid trained colleagues were able to perform CPR on him until paramedics arrived, saving his life.

Metal Form Group HR Manager Stefanie Palermo said, “It was a real wake-up call. Thankfully we were aware of our first aid obligations, or we would have lost an employee and faced possible prosecution. We’ve since trained additional staff and purchased a defibrillator.”

The St John Ambulance Australia research report titled ‘First Aid Readiness in the Australian Workplace’, which was released today, examined first aid readiness across a variety of industries including the education, retail and hospitality sectors. Workplaces in each state and territory were assessed. The research found:

• The majority of Australian employers (65%) are unaware of Safe Work Australia’s new code of practice.
• Only 48% of Australian workplaces offer accredited first aid training to their employees.
• Less than half of workplaces have appropriate workplace first aid resources (eg, first aid kits and signage).
• Only 24% of employees have participated in first aid procedures training or first aid drills.

Safe Work Australia’s code of practice - First Aid in the Workplace - is currently being rolled out across most states and territories.

St John Ambulance Australia CEO Peter LeCornu said the new code will change first aid responsibilities for Australian businesses.

“Administering first aid in the first five minutes after an incident can dramatically change the outcome. Businesses need to be prepared to save a life and empower their employees with the confidence to act,” said LeCornu.

“Australian workplaces are in a volatile situation and employers need to act now to reduce the risk to their employees, customers and ultimately their businesses,” he said. “The St John research shows that a serious first aid knowledge gap exists.

“It is not just a matter of buying a first aid kit and assuming staff will know what to do. Every employer should be striving for best practice when it comes to first aid and St John recommends conducting an initial first aid risk assessment evaluation to proactively ensure your workplace is compliant,” he concluded.

Businesses and employees wanting to find out more about workplace obligations and first aid readiness should contact St John Ambulance Australia on 1300 360 455 or visit www.stjohn.org.au/getcompliant.