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First Aid Box

Rhodes University is required to have first aid boxes in all areas of campus, as specified by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993). The number of First Aid kits and the contents will vary according to different needs. It depends on the type of work/activities (office work / field work / handling chemicals / handling machinery / etc) and associated injuries that are likely, and number of people in the building.

The head/manager of each section/department/division or the residence warden should ensure that a First Aid kit is present:

  • Signage indicates where it is. 

  • RU First Aiders in or near the building are listed beside it.

  • First Aid Register (A4 sheet or small note book) is kept in it, to record details of first aid incidents: date, name of first aider, name of casualty (person receiving first aid),type of injury, first aid item(s) used.

  • Designate the building First Aider(s) (or other responsible person) to maintain the kit (guidelines on where to get First Aid Supplies - full kits and refills).

Contents:

Minimum contents of a First Aid Box: extract from Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993), retrieved February 11, 2009, from www.acts.co.za/ohs/index.htm - General Safety Regulations - Annexure:

Note Regulation 3: In the case of shops and offices, the quantities stated under items 1, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, and 18 may be reduced by half.

  1. Wound cleaner / antiseptic (100 ml)
  2. Swabs for cleaning wounds
  3. Cotton wool for padding (100 g)
  4. Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10)
  5. 1 pair of forceps (for splinters)
  6. 1 pair of scissors (minimum size 100 mm)
  7. 1 set of safety pins
  8. 4 triangular bandages
  9. 4 roller bandages (75 mm x 5m)
  10. 4 roller bandages (100 mm x 5m)
  11. 1 roll of elastic adhesive (25 mm x 3 m)
  12. 1 non-allergenic adhesive strip (25 mm x 3 m)
  13. 1 packet of adhesive dressing strips (minimum quantity, 10 assorted sizes)
  14. 4 first aid dressings (75 mm x 100 mm)
  15. 4 first aid dressings (150 mm x 200 mm)
  16. 2 straight splints
  17. 2 pairs large and 2 pairs medium disposable latex gloves
  18. 2 CPR mouth pieces or similar devices.

NB: No person is allowed to dispense a medicine (e.g. headache tablets, cough mixture, any other oral medicine) unless authorised to do so under the Pharmacy Act (53 of 1974) as amended, and the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act (101 of 1965) as amended.

More info:

St John Ambulance: recommended contents for first aid kits
Item Motorist Offices Food Services Sport Facilities Workshop
St John Ref. No. 310 108  170  180  109
Rescue blanket       1  
Wound cleaner 100 ml  50 ml  75 ml  125 ml  100 ml 
Antiseptic Cream     25 g    
Eye drops     5 ml    
Gloves 4 pairs  2 pairs  4 pairs  2 pairs  4 pairs
Sterile Swabs 2 2     2
First Aid Dressing no. 5   2 2   4
First Aid Dressing no. 3  4 2 2 2 4
First Aid Dressing no. 2       2  
Plasters 20  20  20  20   20  
Roller Bandage 25 mm       2  
Roller Bandage 50 mm     2 2  
Roller Bandage 75 mm  4 2 2 2 4
Roller Bandage 100 mm   2   2 4
Triangular Bandage 4 2 2 2 4
Cotton wool  100 g  2 x 50 g 50 g 50 g 100 g
Scissors 16 cm, Universal 1 1 1 1 1 
Forceps (Tweezers) 1 1 1 1 1
CPR Airway 1 1 1 2 2
Gauze Swabs 75 x 75 mm, 8 ply   100 100   100
Elastic Adhesive 25 mm x 3 m 1 1 1 1 1
Non-allergenic Adhesive Tape 25 mm x 3 m 1 1 1   1
Safety pins 12 12 12  6 12
Straight splints 2  2      2 
Med-ice instant ice packs     2 1  
Neck collar       1 medium  
Antiseptic wipes       10  
Steri-strips       1  
Sal Volatile 20 ml       1  
Friars Balsam 20 ml       1  
Small Burn Dressings 10 x 10 cm     4 1   
Large Burn Dressings 20 x 20 cm     2    

Return to Rhodes University's Safety front page. Questions/Suggestions? Contact safety(at)ru.ac.za

Last Modified: Wed, 01 Nov 2017 12:50:21 SAST