Improved Australia Post first aid policy

The revised Australia Post First Aid Policy incorporates a number of the CEPU’s recommendations and on balance is an improvement on the previous policy.

The review follows the introduction of the Commonwealth OHS Code of Practice (2008) Part 2 – First Aid (OHS Code of Practice – First Aid) which provides guidance to employers on how to meet their duty in relation to the provision of appropriate first aid services.

As requested by the CEPU the revised First Aid Policy now includes the guidance provided in the OHS Code of Practice – First Aid (Commonwealth) on the minimum number of First Aid Officers, First Aid Kits and First Aid Rooms.   These minimum requirements are an improvement on the previous policy provisions.  While, Australia Post has not agreed to the CEPU’s request to train all First Aid Officers to Level 2, as a minimum, the level to which a First Aid Officer is to be trained should be considered as part of the workplace risk assessment.

Australia Post has also incorporated the following requested changes:

· Facility managers should consult with HSRs, First Aid Officers and employees on first aid risk assessment and subsequent arrangements.  It should be noted, however, that the policy identifies that consultation is generally through facility health and safety committees.

· Australia Post has agreed that a First Aid Officer should take no more than 2 minutes to reach a patient to provide assistance.

· Ambulance costs will be met by Australia Post with the qualification that the patient is an Australia Post employee and Australia Post accepts liability for a worker’s compensation claim lodged by a patient.

· Australia Post will consider the purchase of Automatic Electronic Defibrillation (AED) where a risk assessment indicates additional equipment is required.

· Australia Post will consult with employees, HSRs and First Aid Officers (where present) on the selection of First Aid Officers.

· Australia Post agrees that First Aid Kits shall contain, as a minimum, the items set out in the Code of Practice.

· Australia Post agrees to include guidance from Code of Practice in the provisioning of First Aid Rooms.

The revised policy has been distributed to all Australia Post business units for implementation.  CEPU delegates and HSRs should request a copy of the revised policy to see how their workplace shapes up against the new policy.