Dear Reader

I’m sometimes amazed at how relaxed some companies are with their first aid boxes. They leave them unlocked and stocked with items that could be harmful to their staff.

You should never issue tablets or medicine such as cough mixture from the first aid box. The law requires you to be a registered clinic with the Department of Health before you are legally permitted to dispense medicine or tablets. Besides, the person you give tablets or medicine to may be allergic to them and great harm can be done. Plus, some medicines make people drowsy and this affects their ability to work safely.

TIP
A common problem is the theft of first aid stock. One way to deal with this is to lock the first aid box and keep the key in a break-glass box next to the first aid kit. Alternatively, ensure you have at least two first aiders on duty (in case one is off sick or is injured) and issue keys only to them.

Remember: It’s an offence to tamper or interfere with first aid boxes (OHS Act). Make sure all your employees know this.

You can’t just fire health and safety committee members

Question:

Can a Health and Safety Committee member be prosecuted for failing to fulfill his functions?

Answer:

No. A Health and Safety Committee member has functions, not duties. As such, Health and Safety Committee members are not legally responsible for the conditions at work (OHSA Section 20.3).

Remember: As the employer, you must ensure that your Health and Safety Committee performs these functions and meets regularly!

If you subscribe to the Health & Safety Advisor, and have a health and safety problem, remember that you can use the Health & Safety Helpdesk to get an answer.

Stay safe, 

Rachel Paterson
Publisher