5 First Aid Scenarios That Could Happen at Work, And Who’s Ready to Respond?
Accidents Don’t Wait. Is Your Team Ready?
Whether you run a quiet office or a high-risk worksite, no workplace is immune to medical emergencies. From slips to seizures, these situations often happen when you least expect them—and how your team responds in those first few minutes matters most.
So the question isn’t if something could happen.
It’s who’s trained to respond when it does?
Here are 5 common first aid scenarios that happen in Australian workplaces every year—and what your team needs to know to handle them.
1. Head Injuries After a Fall
Scenario:
A staff member trips over a cable, hits their head on the edge of a desk, and starts to feel dizzy and nauseous.
Response:
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A trained first aider should immediately assess for concussion signs, monitor for deterioration, and determine if emergency services are needed
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The incident should be recorded and the area made safe to prevent recurrence
💡 Falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries—even in “low-risk” environments.
2. Burns from Hot Equipment or Chemicals
Scenario:
A kitchen staff member spills boiling water on their hand. Another worker in a lab accidentally splashes a chemical on their leg.
Response:
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Cool the burn under running water for 20 minutes (not ice!)
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Remove contaminated clothing
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Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing
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Call for medical help if the burn is deep, blistered, or covers a large area
💡 Burn first aid is frequently done incorrectly. Proper training prevents further injury and long-term damage.
3. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Scenario:
A colleague collapses in the breakroom, unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Response:
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Call 000
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Start CPR immediately (30 compressions to 2 breaths)
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Use an AED (automated defibrillator) if available
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Continue CPR until help arrives
💡 Minutes matter. A trained responder using an AED can double or triple survival rates.
4. Choking on Food or Medication
Scenario:
During a staff lunch, someone starts coughing violently, then goes silent. They appear panicked and can’t speak.
Response:
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Encourage them to cough
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If unable, deliver 5 back blows, followed by 5 chest thrusts
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Continue until the object clears or the person becomes unresponsive
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Begin CPR if they lose consciousness
💡 Would your team know the difference between choking and coughing? Do they panic or take action?
5. Seizure or Medical Collapse
Scenario:
A team member with no known history suddenly collapses and begins seizing on the office floor.
Response:
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Clear the area to prevent injury
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Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth
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Time the seizure and place them in the recovery position when it ends
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Call emergency services
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Provide reassurance and privacy afterward
💡 Medical emergencies aren’t always obvious or expected. Your staff need to know how to stay calm and act appropriately.
So… Who’s Trained on Your Team?
If you had to respond to any of these today:
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Who knows what to do?
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Who checks the first aid kits?
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Who’s your designated first aid officer?
If you’re not sure—you’re not alone. But that also means it’s time to act.
Why Every Business Needs More Than a First Aid Certificate on File
Workplace first aid training isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about:
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Creating a safety-first culture
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Fulfilling your WHS responsibilities under Australian law
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Supporting staff wellbeing—physically and mentally
And yes, failing to meet these obligations can result in penalties, audits, or legal risk if something goes wrong.
Want more? We’ve got you covered…
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Our First Aid Certificate Courses
We run most of the popular first aid courses Australia wide. HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, HLTAID009 Provide CPR, HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education & Care Setting, Mental Health first aid and CPR/LVR to name a few.
Book your public spot online or contact us if you have a group of 5+ people for onsite training.
Here are some other resources you may enjoy!
FREE GUIDE: Essential Weaning Bundle (Choking first aid Guide, Top 9 Allergy Foods Guide & Allergy Food Tracker!)
FREE Masterclass: Safe & Simple: Prep Foods To Avoid Choking & Allergies
FREE Workplace Emergency Preparedness Plan: Grab this at the bottom of every page!
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