When it comes to first aid auditing, should you ‘DIY’ or should you outsource it? There are pros and cons to both - and you might be surprised at how simple it can actually be! Read on to find out.
First aid kit auditing
Let's face it - auditing first aid kits is not a priority on the to-do list of many workplaces. Everyone is busy getting on with what they do best – their business. Opening your first aid kit to the clutter of contents, empty packets and missing items all together is enough to make anyone put kit auditing in the too hard basket! You may have multiple kits that have been neglected for some time that are in dire need of attention.
But we're here to say to any workplace who needs to hear it: don't put it off anymore! In an emergency (which can unexpectedly happen at any moment), the last thing you want to do is open your first aid kit and find it looks like this.
Why do I need to audit my first aid kits?
To put it simply, there are 3 key reasons why you need to audit your first aid kits regularly;
- Comply – to ensure you are compliant with WHS requirements which are law
- Prepare – to ensure your first aid kit is prepared for emergencies and you are familiar with what’s inside
- Respond – to ensure your first aid kit is adequately stocked, easily accessible and visible, ready to respond
Ok, so we agree that auditing first aid kits so they stay up to date, ready to go and compliant is important. Now you're ready to audit your kit - but where do you begin?
Traditionally, a lot of workplaces think it’s easier to just outsource it; Hiring an external first aid service company to come to you to service your kit at regular intervals. Let's talk about outsourcing.
Outsourcing your auditing
When you outsource your first aid kit auditing, you will be paying for a service which may include call out fees, hourly service fees, and/or per kit checking fees on top of the first aid items required to replenish your first aid kits. You will need to arrange for regular checks of your kits. The first aid service company will come at a suitable time arranged with you and will check your first aid kits and add in any missing items, remove used or expired contents and replace with unexpired consumables. You'll then need to schedule the next audit at the appropriate interval.
The ‘pros’ for outsourcing are pretty obvious:
- Convenient
It saves you the worry of having to check your first aid kits yourself
- Saves time
Saves you the time and hassle having to self-audit your kits
Whilst it saves you the hassle of auditing, there are definitely some downfalls to outsourcing you need to be aware of.
- You're not in control of your first aid
If there's been a major use of your first aid kit (contents have been opened and used), you're either needing to wait until the next scheduled audit or arrange a call out for it to be refilled - a potential serious hazard if you need those contents for another emergency!
- You're paying for 'convenience'
Service fees, call out fees, hourly check fees, the list goes on! Outsourcing auditing is a higher cost model.
- Risk of overstocking
We’ve seen this one many times. Service agents may include extra unnecessary first aid items that you simply don’t use.
- You cannot contract out your responsibility for compliance
Employers must understand that they remain 100% responsible and accountable for their workplace being compliant.
DIY Auditing
Let's discuss auditing your first aid kits yourself.
As with anything in life, there can be a learning curve with something new, but the benefits when you know what you're doing far outweigh the option of outsourcing your first aid kit auditing.
The ‘pros’ for DIY may be less obvious. Let’s take a look:
- You're in control of your first aid
Your people are your asset so show you care about them by having up to date, prepared and ready to go first aid kits. It is the obligation of every employer to ensure they are in control of their first aid.
- Get compliant, stay compliant
As we said earlier, you cannot contract out your responsibility for compliance. Ensure your first aid is in good hands, and no better hands than your own!
- On demand
Audit your kits on demand, immediately after an incident and re-order consumables pronto. No waiting for a service agent to come on-site (especially if your workplace is out of metro and less of a priority for service agents)
- No unnecessary fees
Only pay for what you use and need. No call out our hourly service fees.
- Contactless, saves time and reduce administrative burden
No need to spend time reviewing contracts, services costs or organising a service agent to come on site. DIY auditing also makes for a contactless self-service solution (no visitor sign ins or site inductions)
How to audit your own first aid kit
First aid kit auditing refers to the process of inspecting and evaluating the contents of a first aid kit to ensure that it is properly stocked, up-to-date, and compliant.
- Start by locating your first aid kit contents list. This is to ensure you can cross check that you have everything required on the list.
- Remove all the kit contents.
- Check each item against your checklist and make sure you have an adequate supply of each item.
- Look for expiration dates and make note of any expired items.
- Inspect the quality of the items. They should be sealed and undamaged. - Document your audit date and the name of the person auditing, and write down any expired / damaged / opened items.
- Restock the first aid kit with the necessary supplies. Purchase replacements for items that have expired, damaged or are running low. Write down the date of purchase and expiry date of your repurchased items.
- Ensure the first aid kit is stored in a visible and easily accessible location. Check your workplace requirements here as to how many first aid kits you need and where they should be located pending on the number of people / type of workplace.
- Schedule your next audit and put it in your calendar! We recommend doing this every 12 months, or after every major use.
The verdict
We believe first aid should be easy and accessible for everyone. It should be a simple process that ensures that you're always first aid prepared for any emergency situation whilst always staying compliant.
Whilst the convenience of outsourcing your first aid kits auditing may sound attractive, it is important to remember that you cannot contract out your responsibility for first aid.
We believe DIY auditing is your best path to first aid compliance, being prepared and ready to respond, but that's not always accessible - or is it? With products such as Fastaid's Easy Refill line, available in a soft pack or a hard pack, auditing your first aid is beyond simple. If you're not sure what kind of first aid kit you need, however, or just don't think Easy Refill is right for you, feel free to contact us here at Taylor Safety - as safety experts, we have all the background and understanding required to assist you in making the best decision for you and your team.
For further information, read Fastaid's blog post on DIY auditing here
