WSH (FIRST-AID) REGULATIONS

(incorporating the amendments as stipulated in WSH (First-Aid) (Amendment) Regulations 2011)
The changes are highlighted in blue.

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS
1. Citation and commencement
2. Definition
3. Application
4. Provision of first-aid boxes
5. First-aiders
6. First-aid room
7. First-aid for exposure to toxic or corrosive substances
8. Offences

Citation and commencement
The amendments shall come shall come into operation on 10th September 2011.

Definitions
2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—
‘‘first-aid’’ means —
(a) in cases where a person needs help from a medical practitioner or nurse, treatment for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of bodily injury until such help is obtained; or
(b) treatment of minor bodily injury which does not require treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse;
‘‘hospital’’ means any premises used or intended to be used for the reception, lodging, treatment and care of persons who require medical treatment or care or who suffer from any disease, injury or disability of mind or body, and includes a maternity home and a nursing home;
‘‘medical clinic’’ means any premises used or intended to be used by a medical practitioner, a dentist or any other person —
(a) for the diagnosis or treatment of persons suffering from, or believed to be suffering from, any disease, injury or disability of mind or body; or
(b) for curing or alleviating any abnormal condition of the human body by the application of any
apparatus, equipment, instrument or device requiring the use of electricity, heat or light, but does not include a hospital;
‘‘medical practitioner’’ means a registered medical practitioner under the Medical Registration Act who has in force a practising certificate issued under that Act.

Application
3. These Regulations shall not apply to —
(a) any hospital; and
(b) any medical clinic.’’

Provision of first-aid boxes
4.— (1) Every workplace shall be provided with a sufficient number of first-aid boxes.
(2) Where a workplace is located in a building, each floor of the building shall be provided with a sufficient number of first-aid boxes.
(3) Every first-aid box provided in a workplace shall —
(a) be adequately equipped;
(b) be properly maintained;
(c) be checked frequently to ensure that it is adequately equipped and that all the items in it are usable;
(d) be clearly identified as a first-aid box;
(e) be placed in a location that is well-lit and accessible; and
(f) be under the charge of a person appointed by the occupier of the workplace.

First-aiders
5.—(1) Where more than 25 persons are employed in a workplace, there shall be appointed in the workplace as first-aiders who shall be readily available during working hours such number of persons as complies with the ratio of one first-aider for every 100 persons employed in the workplace or part thereof.
(2) Every person appointed as a first-aider under paragraph (1) shall —
(a) have successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner; and
(b) undergo such subsequent re-training in first-aid treatment as the Commissioner may require.
(3) Where there is a shift work schedule in a workplace, the ratio of the number of first-aiders available on each shift to the number of persons employed at work on that shift shall comply with the ratio specified in paragraph (1).
(4) Every first-aider shall maintain a record of all treatment rendered by him.
(5) A notice shall be affixed in every workplace stating the names of the first-aiders appointed under paragraph (1).

First-aid room
6. Unless otherwise permitted by the Commissioner in writing, where there are more than 500 persons at work in a workplace, there shall be provided and maintained a first-aid room of such standard as may be approved by the Commissioner.

First-aid for exposure to toxic or corrosive substances
7.—(1) Where any person in a workplace may be exposed to toxic or corrosive substances, the occupier of the workplace shall make provision for the emergency treatment of the person if so required by the Commissioner.
(2) Where the eyes or body of any person in a workplace may come into contact with toxic or corrosive substances, the occupier of the workplace shall ensure that suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body are provided and properly maintained within the work area for emergency use.

Offences
8. Any —
(a) occupier of a workplace who fails to ensure that regulation 4, 5 (1), (2), (3) or (5), 6 or 7 is complied with in relation to the workplace; or
(b) first-aider who contravenes regulation 5 (4), shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

The First and Second Schedules are deleted.