OH&S ‘harmonisation’ scheduled for January 1

Occupational health and safety laws Australia-wide are to be ‘harmonised’ from January 1, 2012 to ensure standardised occupational health and safety laws in each Australian state and territory. The changes will be achieved through the adoption of the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act (model act) by all states and territories, although not all […]

Simple safety rule could have saved girl’s life

A NSW court has imposed an A$80,000 fine on Forbes-based H P Woods (Holdings) as a result of a fatal accident involving a female employee who died riding a quad bike that struck an exposed section of concrete pipe. The 19 year old – who was not wearing a helmet – sustained serious head injuries […]

First aid training a hit with primary school children

An innovative program in the UK has prompted a managed first aid training provider to expand its services to schools. Children at Deer Park primary school – aged from four to 11 – were given the chance to climb aboard an Ambulance and attempt to bring a dummy monkey ‘back to life’. The children also […]

Fragile UK economy prompts changes to first aid training

Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) is amending first aid at work (FAW) rules covering training to make it more flexible at a time when a fragile economy is making companies look carefully at all areas of expenditure. The move is aimed at saving businesses time and money without compromising health and safety. Some […]

Firms warned to check AED devices

Companies are being warned to regularly check their defibrillator equipment after a survey in the US showed 1150 deaths were linked to defibrillator (AED) failures over a 15-year period. A quarter of the problems were tied to battery failure. Wiring and the pads that attach to the patient’s chest also were major problem areas.

Companies urged to use first aid kits ‘creatively’

Studies that show American businesses lose 2.8 million working days a year due to illness have prompted managed first aid service providers to suggest ways to cut the overall costs by ensuring employers act proactively to control sickness at work. First aid firms say companies should take action to help treat sick staff members who […]

Householders urged to learn CPR

Because more than 90 per cent of people who collapse without warning are likely to die, some governmental authorities are urging their citizens to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The initiative recognises that defibrillation equipment is unlikely to be readily available – because 85 per cent of cardiac arrests occur in the home – and that […]

Footballer proves first aid value

First aid training is being credited for helping lessen the impact of a serious injury on an Australian sportsman. The Sea Eagles’ David Williams, ‘the Wolfman’, was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital late August after fracturing his neck in an awkward tackle playing against Melbourne. After tests including a CT scan, an angiogram and […]

First aid apps ‘welcome’

Smart-phone operators say the emergence of first aid applications is a welcome addition, with Emergency First Aid & Treatment for iOS (Apple) offering first aid advice for handling blunt trauma, broken bones, hypothermia, burns and more. For Android, Phoneflips Emergency First Aid Guide provides a nearly identical resource. Neither of these apps is a replacement […]

Second mental health program for NZ

A New Zealand dairy farmer is setting up NZ’s second mental health first aid program in rural areas in response to high suicide figures. Paul Bourke is working with the Taranaki Rural Support Trust to set it up. “There are a lot of training courses for helping people with physical health problems but not mental,” […]

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Category: Industry News