Description
Singapore Government Safety Regulation
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 it should be maintained)
Contents of First-Aid Box
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
Every 100 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.
*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.
Edited 12th April 2009
