Did you know that every factory and office in South Africa requires an OHS Regulated First Aid Kit, according to Regulation 7?
According to conditions set out in the General Safety Regulations to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993), an employer must take “all reasonable steps” to ensure that employees (and even people visiting the premises) receive prompt first aid treatment in the case of injury or emergency. This includes training of 5% of the workforce in first aid skills, by a recognised training institution.
First aid boxes must be provided on-site, where people work away from the factory, and where deliveries are made.
The equipment and facilities must be clearly marked by signs, as prescribed by law, so anyone who is unfamiliar with the business premises can easily find the first aid equipment. This includes fire extinguishers.
A trained, responsible person must always have the necessary equipment at hand to be able to render an effective first aid service. The minimum contents of a first aid kit should include wound cleaner, swabs, cotton wool, sterile gauze, and forceps.
The prescribed contents for a Regulation 7 First Aid Kit includes items such as:
- Wound cleaner / antiseptic
- Swabs for cleaning wounds
- Cotton wool for padding
- Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10)
- Pair of forceps (for splinters)
- Pair of scissors (minimum size 100mm)
- Set of safety pins
- Triangular bandages
- Roller bandages (75mm x 5m)
- Roller bandages (100mm x 5m)
- Roll of elastic adhesive (25mm x 3m)
- Non-allergenic adhesive strip (25mm x 3m)
- Packet of adhesive dressing strips (minimum quantity 10 assorted sizes)
- First aid dressing (75mm x 100mm)
- First aid dressings (150mm x 200mm)
- Straight splints
- Large and medium disposable latex gloves
- CPR mouth pieces or similar devices
The number of boxes required should be determined by the employer, taking into account the type of injuries that are likely to occur at a specific workplace, the nature of the activities performed, and the number of employees employed.
For your peace of mind, Falcon supplies Factory Regulation 7 First Aid Kits and Refills, and Small Business Regulation 7 First Aid Kits.