Ensuring High-Quality First Aid Training: A Crucial Responsibility for Directors

As a company director, one of your most important responsibilities is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your organisation’s employees, clients, and stakeholders.

A critical aspect of this duty is overseeing the quality of first aid training provided within your organisation. First aid is not simply about ticking a compliance box—it is about equipping staff with the practical skills and confidence needed to act in an emergency and mitigate potential harm your organisation and your workforce.

Unfortunately, in the age of immediate gratification we are seeing the rise of low-quality, predominantly online first aid courses where providers are prioritising quantity over quality by condensing the curriculum.

These watered-down courses present a significant risk to organisational preparedness and safety. Offering minimal hours of instruction, little to no hands-on practice they fail to provide participants with the essential, life-saving skills required to respond effectively in real-world scenarios. For company directors, relying on such inadequate training providers could have serious consequences, including legal, reputational, and financial repercussions.

Why Quality First Aid Training Matters

Chief Executive Officer of St John Ambulance Queensland, Peter L Maher OAM FAICD, CCEO, Adjunct Professor ACU, emphasises the impact having comprehensive, quality First Aid training has on reducing the risk of workplace injury.

“We know that out of hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest impacts 26,000 plus Australians per annum, and the early minutes are crucial. A shock from a defibrillator by a bystander can almost triple survivability”, expressed Mr Maher.

“Effective first aid requires more than theoretical knowledge—it demands hands-on practice to master skills like CPR, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and preventing and treating common workplace injuries. These are complex, precision-based actions that cannot be learned adequately without real-world simulation and practice under expert supervision.”?

In accordance with The Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace and the guidelines of the Australian Resuscitation Council, first aid skills should be renewed every 3 years and resuscitation skills every 12 months.

“Emergencies are unpredictable, and preparedness is the most effective way to mitigate potential risk. A well-trained first aider can respond quickly and appropriately, potentially preventing fatalities or worsening injuries. An under-trained first aider, however, may be ineffective or, worse, cause further harm to the patient and your organisation”.

Inadequate training can lead to dire consequences, including the possibility of being involved in a coronial inquiry. For any director, this represents a failure of duty, not only to your employees but also to your organisation’s stakeholders and the broader community.

Choosing the Right Training Provider

Directors must ensure that the management of the organisation engages reputable first aid training providers who emphasise quality and practical experience. Key considerations include:

??Accreditation and Standards:?Ensure the provider is nationally accredited and complies with relevant regulations and training standards.

??Hands-On Training:?Choose courses that require substantial practical components, such as CPR practice on mannequins and simulated emergency scenarios.

??Qualified Trainers:?Verify that instructors are experienced, qualified, and capable of delivering high-quality, engaging training.

??Ongoing Practice:?Encourage refresher courses and regular practice to ensure staff maintain their skills and confidence.

While online learning has its place, first aid training should not rely exclusively on online delivery.

“Key life-saving skills cannot be effectively taught or retained without physical, hands-on practice. Directors must reject the temptation by management to cut costs by opting for cheap, purely online first aid courses, as this compromises the safety and wellbeing of their teams and could expose the organisation to significant risk,” said Mr Maher.

In addition to ensuring high-quality first aid training, company directors have a critical responsibility to ensure management oversee the maintenance and readiness of first aid equipment and supplies.

“A well-trained first aider can only perform effectively if they have access to properly functioning equipment and fully stocked first aid supplies. Neglecting this aspect of first aid preparedness could lead to delays or failures in emergency response, with potentially severe consequences.”

Regular Testing of Equipment

One of the most vital pieces of first aid equipment in any workplace is the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). When cardiac arrest strikes, immediate access to a functioning AED can mean the difference between life and death.

As the likely bystander in a workplace emergency, employee action in the early minutes following a Sudden Cardiac Arrest is vital to survival.

“Good quality CPR coupled with use of a defibrillator, increases the survival rates to as high as seventy per cent. These are actions almost anyone can undertake with First Aid training, and better access to AEDs.”

Directors must ensure that all AEDs are:

??Regularly Tested:?Conduct routine checks to confirm that the AED is in working order and that the battery and electrode pads are within their expiry dates. Many AEDs come with self-check features, but it is essential to assign someone to monitor and log these tests.? This may even involve an external company being assigned the responsibility.

??Easily Accessible:?AEDs should be in clearly marked, accessible areas where they can be retrieved quickly in an emergency.

First aid cabinets are another critical resource that require ongoing attention. Directors must ensure that these cabinets are:

??Fully Stocked:?All essential items, such as bandages, dressings, antiseptic wipes, and splints, must be available in sufficient quantities. Expired or depleted items must be replaced promptly.

??Tailored to Risks:?The contents of first aid cabinets should be tailored to the specific risks of the workplace. For example, a factory may require additional burn dressings, while an office may need more supplies for minor cuts and injuries.

??Regularly Inspected:?Appoint someone responsible for conducting routine inspections of the first aid cabinets to ensure they remain compliant with workplace safety regulations or engage an external qualified provider to do this task for the organisation.

The Director’s Responsibility

“As a director, you are entrusted with ensuring that the highest standards of first aid training and equipment are maintained in your organisation. By ensuring that Management is prioritising quality training and practice, you can help safeguard lives, reduce risks, and protect your organisation from potential liability.”

Emphasising the vital importance of quality First Aid Mr Maher stated “Remember, investing in high-quality first aid training and up to date supplies is not merely a regulatory obligation—it is an ethical commitment to the safety and wellbeing of everyone connected to your organisation,”

This proactive approach ensures that, when the unexpected occurs, your team is ready to respond with competence and confidence.

The question is not whether your organisation can afford high-quality first aid training and up to date equipment and supplies, but whether it can afford the consequences of failing to provide it.

To book a first aid training course or workplace service for your organisation visit www.stjohnqld.com.au or call 1300 785 646.

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