Medication, including analgesics such as paracetamol and aspirin, should not be included in first aid kits because of their potential to cause adverse health effects in some people, including asthmatics, pregnant women and people with medical conditions.
The supply of these medications may also be controlled by drugs and poisons laws. Workers requiring prescribed and over-the-counter medications should carry their own medication for their personal use as necessary.
Should employees require analgesics for medical conditions, they should provide the company with a doctor’s letter or similar, stating the analgesic is safe for that employee to take. This letter will be kept in the employee file and only then will the company provide an analgesic in line with the product directions.
What should be included in First Aid Kits is detailed in the Safe Work Australia website’s code of practice and a First Aid Kit Checklist can be purchased from our Toolbox.
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Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/