Tuesday, 21 March 2023 - The Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) launch its Industry Guidance Note (IGN) on first aid requirements in the workplace. The IGN provides guidance and reference on first aid and first aider in a workplace under the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) (First-Aid) Regulations, 2021.

The event was officiated by Yang Mulia Ir. Awang Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Zakaria, Permanent Secretary (Infrastructure, Housing and Professional) Ministry of Development, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SHENA.

During the event, Yang Mulia Nur Al-Ain binti Dr Haji Abdullah, SHENA’s Acting Interim Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the responsibilities of employers and occupiers in ensuring first aid compliance in the workplace. The IGN affords consistent provision on first aid management in the workplace as well as supplementing the existing requirement provided under section 82 of the Employment Order, 2009.

Effective first aid management has the potential to save lives in the workplace. The IGN Launching Event also accentuate the importance of providing and maintaining suitable facilities for emergency treatment within the work area, appointing and training first aiders, keeping treatment records for a period of not less than five (5) years, and establishing good practices on first aid in the workplace.

First aid boxes should be sufficient to be provided in all workplaces and must be adequately equipped, properly maintained, frequently checked, clearly labelled and identified, placed at well-lit and accessible, and put under the care of trained first aiders appointed by the Occupier.

The IGN Launching Event also provides government agencies and all workplaces in Brunei Darussalam to gain a better understanding of first-aid requirements in the workplace and how to implement effective first aid management. This is a crucial step towards ensuring workplace safety and health and preventing accidents or injuries in the workplace.