Workplace Health and Safety

Accidents, fires and other emergencies

• Accidents, fires and other emergencies can occur in the office workplace.
• All workplaces are required to have fire exits, fire alarms and extinguishers.
• Your workplace should have procedures for dealing with fire and other emergencies.
• You should be aware of the relevant procedures in your workplace and follow them to ensure your own safety and that of others.

In most workplaces, groups of employees, management and union representatives jointly develop occupational health and safety policies and procedures. Training will often be provided as part of the policy so that all staff are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

First aid

It is important that first aid facilities are available in the workplace and that a number of people in the workplace are trained in first aid. Many workplaces offer to train some of their staff in first aid. If you are ever given this opportunity you should take it - you could save someone’s life.

Employers are required by law to provide first aid facilities. Proper first aid arrangements must be provided for every injury that occurs in the workplace and even minor injuries such as cuts and bruises must be recorded in the accident book.

First aid kits

First aid kits must be accessible to all staff and must be regularly maintained to ensure they are fully stocked and the contents are within their use by dates. The First Aid Advisory Standard 2004 provides practical guidance for first aid requirements including the recommendations for contents of first aid kits.

Read: First aid and medical emergency policy/ Fire procedures policy

You will now learn about:

• Some basic first aid procedures
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• First aid kits

First Aid Procedures

Download a Text Alternative for this activity

Video

The video below shows the method involved to give CPR to an adult.

What would you do if?

• The person who sits next to you in the office had a heart attack?
• The person you have lunch with choked while eating?
• Someone in the office slashed his or her hand on the guillotine?
• A fellow worker fell down the steps and was knocked unconscious?
• A staff member tripped over an obstacle and broke a leg?
• A filing cabinet fell on someone?
• A work colleague was knocked down by a car while crossing the road?
• Someone was bitten by a spider? 

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