Table of Contents
First aid attendants play a critical role in workplace safety by providing immediate care to injured or ill workers. This guide explores the responsibilities, scope, and essential qualities of a first aid attendant to help you better understand this important role.
The Purpose of Occupational First Aid
Occupational first aid serves to: ✅ Alleviate suffering and provide life-saving care. ✅ Manage injuries effectively to reduce healing time. ✅ Ensure workers receive timely medical attention.
Roles and Responsibilities
As a first aid attendant, your duties include: ✅ Providing care within your level of training. ✅ Recognizing serious injuries and activating emergency response systems. ✅ Ensuring injured workers receive timely medical care. ✅ Maintaining first aid equipment and cleanliness. ✅ Keeping accurate first aid records. ✅ Practicing emergency response drills and staying prepared. ✅ Remaining calm and reassuring in emergencies.
Scope of Practice
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Provide care only within your certified training level.
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Recognize limitations—a first aid attendant is not a substitute for a physician.
Essential Qualities of a First Aid Attendant
✅ Well-trained in emergency care. ✅ Performs duties to the best of their ability. ✅ Recognizes their own limitations. ✅ Calm and reassuring under pressure. ✅ Communicates clearly and effectively.
Workplace Health & Safety Team
A first aid attendant should be part of the workplace health and safety team to: ✅ Hold regular meetings on communication and procedures. ✅ Review legislation affecting workplace first aid. ✅ Assess work processes to ensure safe practices.
First Aid Legislation & Legal Considerations
Under British Columbia’s Workers Compensation Act: ✅ Attendants providing first aid are protected from liability. ✅ Certification breaches can result in investigation, suspension, or cancellation.
Consent in First Aid
All workers have the right to refuse treatment. There are two types of consent: ✅ Actual Consent – When a patient verbally agrees or presents their injury for treatment. ✅ Implied Consent – If a patient cannot respond, the law assumes they would consent in an emergency.
First Aid Room Requirements
Certain workplaces require a first aid room, which must be: ✅ Easily accessible for stretchers. ✅ Well-lit, ventilated, and heated. ✅ Equipped with a sink with hot and cold water. ✅ Have non-porous flooring for easy cleaning. ✅ Clearly marked with a First Aid Room sign.
First Aid Record Keeping
Accurate records are essential. The first aid record should include: ✅ Worker’s full name and occupation. ✅ Date and time of the incident. ✅ Names of witnesses. ✅ Injury description and treatment provided. ✅ Advice given and referral details. ✅ Attendant’s and worker’s signatures. ✅ Any follow-up treatment documentation. 🔒 All records must remain confidential.
Responding to a Workplace Fatality
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If a fatality occurs, the first aid attendant may be the only person maintaining order.
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If in doubt, do not pronounce death—this is the responsibility of a medical professional.
Inappropriate Conduct
A first aid certificate may be suspended or revoked for misconduct, including: 🚫 Smoking while treating a worker. 🚫 Failure to use proper assessment techniques. 🚫 Abandoning or refusing care. 🚫 Providing care while impaired.
Final Thoughts
Being a first aid attendant is a vital responsibility that requires training, competence, and adherence to safety standards. By maintaining strong skills, ethical conduct, and readiness, you can provide essential care to workers in need.
🚑 Want to stay prepared? Enroll in an OFA 3 training course to enhance your skills!