provision of first aid boxes at the workplace
02 September 2008

We continue to receive enquiries relating to the provision of first aid boxes at work.  Regulation 3 (1) ; (2) and (3) of the General Safety Regulations to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) prescribes these requirements.

When should first aid be provided at the workplace?
The regulation states that  ‘‘an employer shall take all reasonable steps that are necessary under the circumstances, to ensure that persons at work receive prompt first aid treatment in case of injury or emergency.’’  “All reasonable steps” includes the training of employees in first aid skills by a recognized training institution.
Employees and other persons on the workplace are entitled to receive prompt first aid treatment without unnecessary delay.

When should first aid boxes be provided?
The Regulation makes provision that first aid facilities must be provided ‘’Where more than five employees are employed at a workplace’’

Correct placement of the first aid boxes
‘The employer must provide a first aid box or boxes at or near the workplace, available and accessible for the treatment of injured persons at that workplace.”

Tinus Boshoff,  www.labourguide.co.za