Originally posted by zulkifli mahmood:
[b]Extracted from 'A Guide to the Workplace Safety and
Health (First-Aid) Regulations' booklet, from page 2 to page 6.
Compiled and published by Ministry of Manpower, Occupational Safety
and Health Division.
A Guide to the Workplace Safety and
Health (First-Aid)Regulations
What is in this section of the Guide?
This section of the Guide provides a brief explanation of the main
features in the Workplace Safety and Health (First-Aid) Regulations
to assist you in complying with the Regulations.
Why is there a need for First-Aid
Regulations?
The life of an injured employees may depend on proper first-aid
given within the first few minutes of an accident. Besides saving
lives, first-aid treatment is important in preventing further
injury and pain. The requirement for first-aid treatment in the
workplace is not new and was defined in Section 58 of the Factories
Act as well as the Factories (First-Aid) Regulations 1995.
In the new framework for occupational safety and health in
Singapore, the Workplace Safety and Health Act replaces the
Factories Act with effect from 1 March 2006. This Workplace Safety
and Health (First-Aid) Regulations is one of the subsidiary
legislation under the new Act.
Where will the Workplace Safety and Health (First-Aid)
Regulations apply?
The Regulations will apply in the following workplaces.
1. Any premises which is a factory.
2. Any premises within an airport where any checking, inspecting,
cleaning,
loading, unloading or refueling of an aircraft is carried out by
persons other
than by the crew of the aircraft.
3. Any ship in a harbour where any of the following is carried
out:
a. scaling, scurfing or cleaning of boilers, including combustion
chambers
and smoke boxes, in the ship;
b. cleaning of any tank, bilges or holds in the ship;
c. construction, re-construction, repair, fitting, furnishing or
breaking up.
4. Any laboratory or other premises where the testing, examination
or
analysis of any article is carried out.
What are the responsibilities of the employer or occupier
of the workplace?
If you are an employer or occupier of the workplace, you are
responsible for the following:
* provision and maintenance of first-aid box,
* appointment and training of first-aiders,
* provision and maintenance of first-aid room,
* provision of suitable facility for quick drenching of body or
flushing of eyes
where toxic or corrosive substances are used.
What factors do I have to consider in carrying out my
responsibilities as an employer or occupier?
When deciding on the number of equipment, first-aiders, and
facilities for your workplace, you should consider the following
factors:
* type of industry, the nature and specific hazards of the
work,
* number of employees,
* number of work shifts,
* physical layout of the workplace,
* known occurrences of accidents or illnesses,
* location of the workplace in relation to the nearest medical
clinic or
hospital,
* work during holidays.
* first-aiders on sick leave.
The Safety Committee in the workplace should periodically review
the first-aid facilities to ensure that these facilities are
adequate.
Provision and Maintenance Of
First-aid Box
What should be provided in the first-aid box and how should
it be maintained?
Content of First-Aid Box
The required minimum contents of first-aid boxes are listed in
Annex A.
First-aid boxes should not contain materials other than those
required for first-aid treatment.
It is essential that first-aid boxes be checked frequently to make
sure they are fully equipped and all items are usable. Used or
expired items should be replaced as soon as possible.
Number of First-Aid Boxes
The number of first-aid boxes required depends on the physical
layout of the premises and the number of employees.
There should be at least one first-aid box on each floor of the
premises. The total number of first-aid boxes required should be
sufficient for use by all employees.
Ration Of Employees To First-Aid Boxes
No. of employees And No./
type of first-aid boxes
Less than 25 employees at least one Box A
At least one Box A at least one Box B
Every100 employees at least one Box C
Note: One box B is equivalent to two Box A.
One Box C is equivalent to two Box B.
Accessibility of First-Aid Boxes
The first-aid box should be labeled clearly and placed in an
unmistakably identified, well-illuminated and easily accessible
location. The first-aid box must be made of sturdy material and be
portable so that it can be quickly taken to the site of an
accident.
Where the factory covers a large area, an adequate number of
first-aid boxes should be provided and well distributed throughout
the premises. Employees should be informed of the location of all
the first-aid boxes.[/b]
Workplace Safety & Health Act implemented on 01 March
2006.
It replaces all Factory Acts regulations as Factories Acts are too
vague and thus required a new regulation that encompassed all
workplaces in Singapore.
Under WSH Act 2007, there are other regulations like WSH (First
Aid) Regulations, WSH (General Provisions) Regulations, WSH (Risk
Management) Regulations and so on...
The aim of implementing WSH Act is primary to reduce the fatality
rate, to educate and encourage everyone to play a part in
maintaining workplace safety and health, and also to instill
greater ownership of employers to take serious thoughts on WSH
through the enhanced penalities...
