ADOSH-SF Code of Practice CoP 4.0 - First Aid and Medical Emergency Treatment

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Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and
Health System Framework
(ADOSH-SF)
Code of Practice
CoP 4.0 - First Aid and Medical Emergency
Treatment
Version 4.0
July 2024

ADOSH-SF – Codes of Practice
CoP 4.0 – First Aid and Medical Emergency Treatment
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 2 of 24
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3
2. Training and Competency ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Training Requirements for First Aiders ........................................................................................ 4
2.2 Requirements for First Aid Training Programs in Abu Dhabi Emirate ............................... 5
2.3 Requirements for First Aid Training Providers in Abu Dhabi Emirate ............................... 5
2.4 Training Requirements for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) ................................... 6
2.5 Training Requirements for Nurses ................................................................................................. 6
2.6 Training Requirements for Physicians and Pharmacists ........................................................ 6
3. Requirements ............................................................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 7
3.2 First Aid / Medical Emergency Treatment Requirements .................................................... 11
3.3 First Aid Kits ......................................................................................................................................... 12
3.4 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) ................................................................................... 13
3.5 Infection Control.................................................................................................................................. 14
3.6 Hazardous Materials .......................................................................................................................... 15
3.7 Workers Camps / Villages ................................................................................................................. 15
3.8 First Aid and Medical Emergency Treatment Centres ........................................................... 16
4. Record Keeping ....................................................................................................................................... 17
5. References................................................................................................................................................ 18
6. Document Amendment Record ......................................................................................................... 19
Appendix 1: Minimum First Aid Requirements/Content Checklist ..................................................... 20
Appendix 2: Recommended CPR / AED Equipment list ........................................................................... 21
Appendix 3: Definitions and Abbreviations................................................................................................ 22

ADOSH-SF – Codes of Practice
CoP 4.0 – First Aid and Medical Emergency Treatment
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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1. Introduction
(a) This Code of Practice (CoP) applies to all employers within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
for provisions of first aid and medical emergency treatment to
employees/workers/other persons. This CoP is designed to incorporate requirements
set by UAE and Abu Dhabi Regulatory Authorities. If requirements of this document
conflict with requirements set by another regulatory authority, employers are required
to follow the more stringent requirement.
(b) First Aid is defined as “An immediate assistance given to a person suffering from a
sudden illness or injury in the workplace, with care provided to preserve life, prevent
the condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery. Such care may be considered
“first aid” even though provided by a health-care professional.
(c) Medical Emergency is defined as “A situation or condition having a high probability of
disabling or immediately life-threatening consequences requiring first aid or other
immediate medical intervention”.
(d) Any medical professional providing services beyond first aid in the occupational
setting, or at employers supplied accommodation (worker camps), shall have a valid
license to practice medicine as required by Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH).
Medical and advanced first aid facilities shall maintain valid licenses as required by
DOH.

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Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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2. Training and Competency
2.1 Training Requirements for First Aiders
(a) Employers shall ensure that OSH training complies with the requirements of:
(i) ADOSH-SF – Element 5 – Training, Awareness and Competency;
(b) First aiders shall maintain a valid certificate of training from:
(i) one of the following recognized training providers:
Red Crescent;
Red Cross;
St. Andrew's First Aid;
St. John Ambulance; or
(ii) a training provider (or approved awarding body) that provides courses (or awards
qualifications) that are accredited by one of the following accreditation/
qualification bodies (and their countries):
Accreditation Body Country
American Heart Association United States
European Resuscitation Council
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech,
Denmark, Netherlands, Egypt, Finland, France,
Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Malta,
Norway, Portugal, Russia, Romania,
Switzerland, Sweden, United Kingdom
Office of Qualifications and Examinations
Regulation (OFQUAL) * United Kingdom
Ireland Health and Safety Authority Ireland
Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa South Africa
Resuscitation Council of Asia Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand
National Training Information System Australia
New Zealand Qualifications Authority New Zealand
*includes awarding bodies offering an accredited qualification in First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work
(EFAW), approved by OFQUAL. See https://register.ofqual.gov.uk/ for list of OFQUAL list of registered
qualifications/organizations.
(c) First aiders that have a valid certificate of training from a country, training provider,
awarding body or accreditation body not listed in Section 2.1(b) can submit the
information related to the awarding body/accreditation body to Abu Dhabi Public
Health Center (ADPHC), so that it can be considered as equivalent to those on the list
after joint consideration by ADPHC and DOH.
(d) First aider’s initial training shall be refreshed as required by the training provider or
awarding body, but at a minimum annually for life threatening emergencies,

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cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures and automated external defibrillator
(AED) use. Unless otherwise stipulated by the training provider, nonlife-threatening
response refresher training shall be provided at a minimum every two years.
2.2 Requirements for First Aid Training Programs in Abu Dhabi Emirate
(a) First aid training programs shall:
(i) be in line with the scope of the activities, services, functions and needs of the
work environment and associated potential hazards and risks;
(ii) be based on a risk assessment;
(iii) ensure that first aiders are familiar with the procedures for medical emergency
response and how to contact ambulance services in Abu Dhabi; and
(iv) comply with all requirements of relevant regulatory bodies and related
regulations.
(b) First aid trainers / training providers shall be accredited by any of the internationally
recognized accreditation or qualification bodies listed in Section 2.1(b).
2.3 Requirements for First Aid Training Providers in Abu Dhabi Emirate
(a) First Aid Training providers in Abu Dhabi Emirate (and awarding bodies) are required
to ensure that:
(i) the training is aligned with the resources and needs of the employers (e.g.,
staffing resources, hazards and risks identified, the needs for first aid devices
and kits);
(ii) the training content is delivered according to the learning requirements of the
recognized accreditation body or approved awarding body;
(iii) practical training tools and equipment are available and the trainees receive
practical training on different first aid topics, including, but not limited to, how
to administer the CPR;
(iv) the assessment of successful completion of the first-aid training program shall
include instructor observation of acquired skills and written performance
assessments;
(v) only trainees who have successfully completed the requisite training are
provided with documentary evidence to demonstrate that the trainee has met
the minimum learning requirements and passed any test necessary to practice
first aid at a designated level; the documentation shall include:
full name;
emirates ID number;
employee ID number;
full name of the awarding body;
full name of the training centre;
full name of the training course; and

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Issue and expiry date of the first aid certificate/award.
(vi) evidence is provided to demonstrate they are accredited by an internationally
recognized accreditation or qualification body (Section 2.1); and.
(vii) records are kept of training conducted and persons trained as per section v
above.
2.4 Training Requirements for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
(a) Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Paramedics (EMT-P) shall have training
identifying common worksite hazards prior to the commencement of work on site.
(b) EMT’s and EMT-P’s must maintain a valid license issued by DOH.
2.5 Training Requirements for Nurses
(a) Nurses shall receive training on common worksite hazards prior to starting work or
provide evidence of a relevant qualification or proof of training with regards to
common occupational safety and health hazards and risks.
(b) All nurses must hold the designation of Registered Nurse and maintain a valid license
issued by DOH.
(c) Nurses can be a first aider and in such cases require the same training as outlined in
section 2.1.
2.6 Training Requirements for Physicians and Pharmacists
(a) Physicians and pharmacists shall receive training on common worksite hazards prior
to starting work or provide evidence of a relevant qualification or proof of training
with regards to common occupational safety and health hazards and risks.
(b) All physicians and pharmacists must maintain a valid license issued by DOH.
(c) Physicians and pharmacists can be a first aider and in such cases require the same
training as outlined in section 2.1.

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Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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3. Requirements
3.1 Roles and Responsibilities
3.1.1 Employers
3.1.1.1 General
(a) Employers shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the
general requirements of ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-
Regulation, Section 3.2.5.
(b) Employers shall ensure that all employees, contractors and subcontractors have
appropriate medical health insurance that will provide coverage for medical care
provided in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Note: As per decisions of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and DOH, healthcare services for work-related
injuries are covered by health insurance policies issued in Abu Dhabi, with some policies also covering
occupational health services to certain degrees.
(c) If health insurance coverage is not present for whatever reason:
(i) Employers shall pay all costs associated with medical emergency treatment and
transportation to medical facilities for employees as long as the employee
follows established policies and procedures for receiving medical treatment.
(ii) Employers shall pay all costs in the case of emergencies regardless of other
policies and procedures.
(d) Employers shall ensure those persons who require emergency first aid services
receive prompt and appropriate first aid services by an appropriately certified and
trained first aider, while arrangements for appropriate emergency support are being
pursued.
(e) Employers shall ensure in the event of a medical emergency or work-related
injury/illness, that the employers shall transfer the employee to the nearest medical
facility that can provide appropriate care for the employee. Employers shall not
transfer employees to medical facilities outside the Emirate of Abu Dhabi unless that
is where the closest medical facility that can provide appropriate care is located.
(f) Employers shall ensure documented health risk assessments are undertaken, on a
regular basis, to determine the level of first aid and medical care required at the
worksite. The risk assessment shall conform with requirements of ADOSH-SF– Element
2 - Risk Management and shall consider:
(i) the nature of the work and workplace hazards and risks;
(ii) the size of the organisation;
(iii) the nature of the workforce;
(iv) work patterns;
(v) the number and distribution of the workforce;

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(vi) the entities history of incidents;
(vii) provision for medical emergency treatments up to a 24-hour day and during
weekends where required;
(viii) the need of travelling, remote or lone employees;
(ix) the remoteness of the worksite from emergency medical services;
(x) transport arrangements for emergency evacuation when required;
(xi) employees working on shared or multi-occupied sites;
(xii) annual leave and other absences of first aiders and appointed persons; and
(xiii) first aid provisions for non-employees.
(g) Employers shall ensure reported first aid and medical emergency treatment cases are
investigated as per the requirements of ADOSH-SF – Element 7 – Monitoring,
Investigation & Reporting.
3.1.1.2 First Aid and Medical Care Facilities
(a) Employers shall ensure the provision of the minimum first aid and medical care
facilities at each place of work that are appropriate for the risks and hazards
associated with the worksite, meet the minimum requirements set forth in Section 3.2
of this document, and comply with requirements of relevant applicable federal and
local laws and regulations.
(b) For worksites with medical facilities including first aid treatment and/or licensed
medical professionals, Employers shall ensure that medical facilities meet all the
requirements set by DOH for registration and licensing.
(c) Employers shall ensure that first aid trained personnel, at a minimum in accordance
with Section 3.2.1, are available at the worksite at all times.
(d) Employers shall ensure that Nurses, Occupational Health Nurses, Medical Practitioners
and any other medical professionals rendering related services are registered in their
professional capacity with DOH.
(e) Employers shall ensure that licensed/professional medical staff shall operate medical
emergency treatment centres and provide medical emergency services to employees
working onsite in a manner that provides the best patient care reasonably practicable.
(f) Employers shall ensure that any designated first aid or medical treatment center is of
appropriate size to meet the needs of the worksite as per the risk assessment, and
meets DOH’s requirements as outlined in section 3.8.
(g) Employers shall ensure that the availability of First Aiders and Medical staff and their
level of training, skills, knowledge and experience are based on the assessed risk
factors of the industry and entity.
(h) Employers shall ensure that the knowledge and skill levels of the First Aiders and
Medical staff, according to this CoP, are maintained.

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3.1.1.3 First Aid Material Resources
(a) Employers shall ensure that the workplace first aid resources are documented in
Policies and Operating Procedures and compliant with requirements of relevant
applicable federal and local laws and regulations, and requirements of this document.
(b) Employers shall ensure the availability of first aid resources appropriate for first aid
support to manage injuries and/or illnesses that are reasonably practicable to occur in
the particular workplace environment.
(c) Employers shall ensure that first aid resources are based on the assessed risks
identified from the risk assessment, and at a minimum satisfy the items specified in
Appendix 1.
(d) Employers shall ensure that first aid resources are consistent with the level of First
Aider training, and competency of the first aider.
(e) Employers shall ensure the safe disposal of waste resulting from first aid treatment
in accordance with the relevant waste regulations and requirements of ADOSH-SF –
CoP 54.0 – Waste Management.
3.1.1.4 Communications
(a) Employers shall ensure that all first aid facilities are appropriately identified and
marked with the recognized first aid sign, as per
ADOSH-SF – CoP 17.0 – Safety Signage
and Signals, and that the environment where first aid treatment may take place is, as
far as reasonably practicable, free from hazards.
(b) Employers shall ensure that workplaces have a detailed medical emergency plan that
includes contact information for medical care facilities, ambulance services, and maps
to the closest medical facility that can provide emergency medical care.
(c) Employers shall ensure that employees understand how and where to receive first aid
or medical emergency treatment.
(d) Notices indicating contact details for first aiders, on-site medical providers, the
emergency contact number/radio frequency, and where the first aid box is, shall be
posted throughout the worksite.
(e) Employers shall pay special consideration to the provision of first aid information to
employees in a manner taking into account language and literacy levels.
(f) Contact and address information shall be posted at the entrance to worksites for
employers approved physician (along with the hours of operation) and emergency
medical facility (e.g., hospital) that shall provide care beyond first aid for employees.

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3.1.2 Training
(a) Employers shall provide appropriate OSH training to employees, so that employees
can undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the general
requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-Regulation,
Section 3.2.7.
3.1.3 Records
(a) Employers shall ensure that all records are kept with regards to all trained First Aiders
and Medical staff, their level of training and their current contact details.
(b) Employers shall ensure that all records are kept with regards to First Aid statistics and
emergency cases treated (Section 4).
3.1.4 Employees
(a) Employees shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the
general requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-
Regulation Section 3.2.7.
(b) Employees shall report to appropriate supervisors / first aider when items from first
aid kits are used.
(c) Employees shall report all injuries and illnesses to a designated first aider or onsite
medical personnel.
3.1.5 Self-Employed Persons:
(a) A self-employed person shall provide, or ensure provision of such first-aid equipment,
as is appropriate and sufficient in the circumstances to enable him/her to render first-
aid to him/herself while at work.
3.1.6 Lone Worker(s) and Remote Location Worker(s):
(a) Employers with lone worker(s) and/or remote location worker(s) shall provide, or
ensure provision of training and such first-aid equipment, as is appropriate and
sufficient in the circumstances to enable the employee(s) to render first-aid to
himself/herself/themselves while at work. Employees shall also have appropriate
means of communication and contact information for local emergency services.
3.1.7 First Aiders and Medical Staff:
(a) First Aiders / Medical Staff are required to:
(i) limit their first aid treatment to that within the scope of their license and
training level;
(ii) ensure that their training is certified and current in accordance with the
requirements of this CoP;
(iii) keep documentation of cases treated in accordance with requirements of this
CoP (Section 4) and their employers;

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(iv) be knowledgeable about the nature and type of hazards that they are
reasonably practicable to encounter and the types of injuries and specific health
conditions that are reasonably practicable to require first aid treatment; and
(v) ensure that emergency support services are pursued to ensure timely
intervention by specialist services such as ambulance services or physician
support for a chronic condition.
3.2 First Aid / Medical Emergency Treatment Requirements
3.2.1 Staffing
(a) The number of first aiders and medical staff to the number of employees /
workers/other persons shall be in line with the identified risks and hazards of the
workplace, the needs of the organization and the employees/other persons, and the
requirements of other relevant regulatory bodies, but shall conform to the following
minimum requirements:
(vi) at least one first aider per worksite per shift with less than 50 employees; and
(vii) at least one first aider per 50 employees per worksite per shift with more than
50 employees.
(b) First aiders and medical staff working hours should not exceed 12 hours in any 24-
hour period and must not exceed the maximum prescribed working hours for adult
employees of eight hours per day or forty-eight hours per week, as stipulated by UAE
Labour Law.
3.2.2 First Aid Treatment of Patients
(a) For medical emergencies:
(i) Initial first aid treatment shall be available anywhere on the worksite within a
three minute response time.
(ii) If a worksite has onsite ambulance services, the response time shall be within
10 minutes to anywhere on the site.
(iii) If ambulance response time (for internal or external ambulance services) is
greater than 15 minutes for a worksite that have high hazard activities, the
worksite shall have appropriate medical staff (emergency medical technician
(EMT)/paramedic or ambulance nurse) onsite with current Immediate Life
Support (ILS) and Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) training to ensure a response
time of 10 minutes or less.
Note: DOH Access Requirements for Healthcare Services requires providers of ambulance services
to provide access to emergency services within 15 minutes (urban) or 19 minutes (rural).
(iv) Providers of emergency services and the appropriate surface transport sector
authority shall work together to ensure that access to emergency services is
available on the surface transport network within the time limits as specified by
DOH access requirements for healthcare services (above).
(v) Up-to-date telephone numbers of first aiders and nearest emergency
organizations (e.g. medical clinics, hospitals) shall be clearly displayed on notice
boards and communication points, including the contact information for the DOH

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Poison and Drug Information Center (PDIC), which is to be called only in case of
poison exposures.
(b) General requirements for emergency treatment of injured persons:
(vi) For slight injuries, injured persons shall be evaluated and treated according to
their injuries.
(vii) For non-life-threatening injuries that require a higher level of medical treatment,
the injured person can be transported by a company vehicle to the nearest
medical emergency treatment centre or hospital.
(viii) For serious injuries and injuries that are life threatening, ambulance services
shall be called upon to transport the patient to the nearest hospital for
treatment.
(ix) Employees complaining of chest pain shall always be treated as a life-
threatening condition and ambulance services must be called immediately. As
far as reasonably practicable, an employee complaining of chest pain shall not
be transported to a medical treatment centre or hospital in a personal or
company vehicle, unless the vehicle has been registered with DOH as an
ambulance and meets the DOH Standard for Ambulance Services and is staffed
with a minimum of one EMT-P and a driver.
3.3 First Aid Kits
(a) Employers shall perform a health risk assessment to determine the number and
contents of the first aid kits.
(b) First aid kits shall be placed in all worksite vehicles.
(c) First aid kits shall be placed in all office buildings (minimum one on each floor) and
throughout the worksite as needed and be secured in a suitably secured container /
cupboard / facility that can be accessed easily and quickly in case of emergency.
(d) Contents of the first aid kits shall be based on the health risk assessment, but at a
minimum shall have the contents listed in Appendix 1. If more stringent regulations
exist, those regulations shall take precedence.
(e) Employers shall ensure that first aid kits / medical supplies are inspected by a
competent person at least once per month to ensure the required contents are
available, including replenishing necessary items and replacing expired items.
(f) A first aid registry shall be provided with the first aid kit to be completed by the first
aider and be provided to the OSH responsible person after administering any form of
first aid.

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3.4 Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
(a) Employers should consider establishing an AED program and installing AEDs to
manage sudden cardiac arrest in their workplace, based on risk assessment and /or as
mandated by relevant authorities.
(b) An AED program should:
(i) Include a management system and written summary of the AED program,
establishing clearly defined lines of responsibility for those who oversee and
monitor the program or participate in it;
(ii) Assign a DOH-licensed physician for managing all medical aspects of the AED
program and oversee the program’s administration and coordination activities;
(iii) Be integrated in the more general plan describing emergency responses at the
occupational setting;
(iv) Include recognized and standardized training of all designated first aid
responders and employed healthcare professionals. Topics should include CPR
and use of the specific AED expected to be available and used at the
occupational site;
Note: In case of sudden cardiac arrest AEDs should be used by the first available suitably trained
first aider.
(v) Ensure selection and placement of AEDs and ancillary supplies that meet local
and federal legislation criteria for medical devices, and ensure they are regularly
maintained as per the manufacturer’s requirements; and
Note: See Appendix 2 for a recommended CPR/AED equipment list.
(vi) be incorporated into, or have its own quality assurance program.
(c) Placement of AEDs should be considered for all workplaces where people may
congregate, such as corporate offices, worksites, and employee camps/villages, in
particular in the following areas:
(i) Areas where many people work closely together, such as assembly lines and
office buildings;
(ii) Close to a confined space;
(iii) Areas where electric-powered devices are used;
(iv) Outdoor worksites where lightning may occur;
(v) Health units where workers may seek treatment for heart attack symptoms;
(vi) Company fitness units and cafeterias; and
(vii) Remote sites, such as off-shore drilling rigs, construction projects, marine
vessels, power transmission lines, and energy pipe lines.
(d) AEDs should be conveniently installed and easily accessible to ensure response time
within 3-5 minutes.

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3.5 Infection Control
(a) First aid personnel and employees that may be at risk of exposure to infectious
diseases or biological hazards shall receive training on the various types of blood
borne pathogens and methods to protect themselves from exposure.
(b) Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be provided to protect first aid
personnel and ill or injured persons from risks of exposure to infections.
(c) Personal protective equipment (PPE) shall include at a minimum:
(i) protective gloves such as disposable PVC, latex gloves or heavy duty gloves
where there is a risk of exposure to sharp objects or when cleaning blood or
body substance spills;
(ii) protective clothing such as disposable non-porous overalls or plastic aprons;
(iii) eye protection such as goggles and safety glasses;
(iv) safety footwear to protect feet from sharp objects; and
(v) resuscitation mask to reduce the risk of exposure to blood and body substances.
(d) Control measures shall be in place for first aid personnel for the management of skin
penetrating injuries (SPI) and other exposures to blood or body substances.
(e) Management of a skin penetrating injury (SPI) includes the following:
(i) encourage the wound to bleed by gently squeezing;
(ii) wash the area with cold running water and soap if available; and
(iii) apply an antiseptic if available then cover the wound with an appropriate
dressing.
(f) Management of exposure to blood or body substances includes the following:
(i) wash away the blood or body substance with soap and water. If water is not
available then use a 60-90% alcohol based hand rinse or foam;
(ii) if the eyes are contaminated, rinse eyes while open with tap water or saline
solution; and
(iii) if blood gets into the mouth, spit it out and then repeatedly rinse with water.
(g) If exposed to blood or body substances the person shall be referred for medical
assessment immediately. The doctor can then assess the degree of exposure and
arrange blood tests and immunization where appropriate. Access to professional
counseling shall also be provided, if necessary.
(h) Records of blood or body substance exposure shall be documented and kept at the
workplace. Records of exposure and treatment shall be kept confidential.
(i) Employees who are suspected or diagnosed by a DOH-licensed physician to suffer
from an acute onset of a notifiable communicable disease with a potential to spread
the disease to co-workers or the community (e.g. influenza), must be provided with

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appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. face mask) and immediately be
transferred to a DOH-licensed healthcare facility.
3.6 Hazardous Materials
(a) First aid personnel and employees that may be at risk of exposure to hazardous
materials shall receive training on the various types of hazardous materials and
methods to protect themselves from exposure.
(b) Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be provided to protect first aid
personnel and ill or injured persons from risks of exposure to hazardous materials.
(c) Further requirements as per ADOSH-SF - CoP 1.0 – Hazardous Materials apply.
Note: Employers should consider providing basic and/or advanced HazMat life support training
(BHLS/AHLS, www.ahls.org) for healthcare professionals likely to attend to patients exposed to toxic
substances.
3.7 Workers Camps / Villages
(a) Employers that have workers camps/villages, or contract out to a third party to provide
an workers camp/village, shall ensure that:
(i) first aid and/or medical emergency treatment facility is available onsite; and
(ii) ambulance services are provided, under consideration of response time from
nearby hospitals or third party services.
(b) In addition to the requirements set above for first aid and medical emergency
treatment, employers shall ensure a community health program exists that provides
the following services:
(i) education of employees/workers on communicable diseases including blood
borne pathogens, HIV, Hepatitis B & C, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s),
chicken pox, and tuberculosis (TB);
(ii) annual drug and alcohol awareness campaigns;
(iii) annual poison prevention campaign;
(iv) annual smoking cessation campaigns;
(v) vaccination & immunisation programme aligned with relevant DOH policy and
standards;
(vi) education on healthy eating and basic nutrition;
(vii) education on basic oral health and personal hygiene; and
(viii) for workers exposed to heat in summer, a programme of awareness and
education regarding precautions to be taken and the requirements of a heat
stress management programme.
(c) Employers shall ensure that workers camps/villages have a crisis management plan
that addresses potential outbreak of a contagious disease and meets requirements of
relevant authorities, and that facilities are designated to isolate employees that have
contagious diseases (e.g., chicken pox, flu, etc.)

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(d) Employers shall ensure workers camps/villages have a medical emergency response
plan that is tested, at a minimum, annually.
3.8 First Aid and Medical Emergency Treatment Centres
(e) Worksites with first aid and medical emergency treatment centers shall meet all the
requirements set by DOH for registration and licensing as a clinic. The DOH definition
of a clinic includes the following:
(i) A clinic is a health care facility that is staffed by a health care general
practitioner (one or more) or specialist (one or more). A clinic is mainly used for
health consultations, first aid services and simple treatment. It does not provide
emergency services. Emergency cases shall be referred to a hospital; and
(ii) Clinic Subtypes:
General Clinic;
General Dental Clinic;
School Clinic;
Specialized Clinic;
Specialized Dental Clinic; and
First Aid Post (A health facility that administers emergency treatment to
an injured or sick person before necessary professional medical care is
secured).
(f) The structural and equipment requirements of First Aid and Medical Treatment
Centers shall follow DOH Guidelines for Health Facility Design, Approvals, and
Construction Prequalification.

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4. Record Keeping
(a) At a minimum, records shall be maintained of the following:
(i) Training of First Aiders and Medical staff (Section 2.3(v));
(ii) Contact details of First Aiders and Medical staff; and
(b) First Aid statistics and emergency cases treated.
(c) At a minimum, the following information shall be documented for all first aid and
medical emergency treatment cases:
(i) injured person’s name;
(ii) Emirates ID number;
(iii) employee ID number;
(iv) profession of injured person;
(v) date, time and place of injury;
(vi) description of injury;
(vii) description of how the injury occurred;
(viii) treatment provided, including treatment provided by outside medical
services;
(ix) any follow-up treatment required; and
(x) name and signature of the first aider or provider of medical emergency
treatment.
(d) Information must be documented in accordance with the
ADOSH-SF – Element 9 –
Compliance and Management Review, DOH policy for Medical Record, Health
Information Retention and Disposal, and other relevant requirements.

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5. References
•
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, Approved Code of Practice
and guidance, Health and Safety Executive - UK
•
Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-aid Program, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration – USA

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CoP 4.0 – First Aid and Medical Emergency Treatment
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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6. Document Amendment Record
Version Revision Date Description of Amendment Page/s Affected
4.0
15 th July 2024
System acronym updated from OSHAD-SF
to ADOSH-SF to accurately reflect
document title
Throughout
Change from OSHAD to ADPHC
Change of Logo
Reference to federal legal requirements
modified where / as warranted
Minor editorial changes throughout the
document without changing requirements.
Note under clause 3.1.1.1(b) reduced and
reworded to clarify health insurance
coverage of occupational injuries and
diseases in Abu Dhabi
7
Note under clause 3.2.1(a) (regarding
number of nurses and emergency medical
staff) omitted
11

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Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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Appendix 1: Minimum First Aid Requirements/Content Checklist
Item
No. Product Description Item Quantity (by size of kit)
Small Medium Large Travel
Required
1 Pocket First Aid Guide 1 1 1 1
2 Contents list 1 1 1 1
3 Disposable gloves, latex free, powder-free,
different sizes (small/medium/large), pairs 2/2/2 3/3/3 4/4/4/ 1/1/1
4 Laerdal pocket mask or resuscitation face shield 1 1 2 1
5 Adhesive plasters, water resistant, low allergy,
assorted sizes 40 60 100 10
6 Medium sterile dressing (12 x 12 cm) 4 6 8 1
7 Large sterile dressing (18 x 18 cm) 1 2 2 1
8 Eye pad sterile dressing 2 3 4 1
9 Finger sterile dressing 2 3 4 0
10 Burns sterile dressing (preferably water gel 1 2 2 1
11 Triangular bandage 2 3 4 1
12 Conforming bandage 1 2 2 1
13 Alcohol free moist cleansing wipes 20 30 40 4
14 Safety pins, assorted sizes 6 12 24 2
15 Adhesive tape, preferably hypo-allergenic 1 1 1 1
16 Sterile eye wash 0 0 0 1
17 First Aid scissors – Tough cut type with skin
protective leading edge 1 1 1 1
18 Roller bandages, 50 mm/100 mm wide 2/2 4/4 8/8 2/2
19 Skin disinfectant (spray) 1 1 1 1
20 Medical Waste disposal bag 1 2 4 1
Optional / Based on first aid needs assessment
21 Splints for limps fracture, small & large 1/1 2/2 3/3 1/1
22 Paper stitches (e.g. Steri-Strip TM
), packets 1 2 4 1
23 Pair of forceps or splinter tweezers 1 1 1 1
24 Hand sanitizer (min. 61.% ethyl alcohol) 1 1 1 1
25 Emergency blanket (foil blanket) 1 2 3 1
26 Torch, preferably kinetic 1 1 1 1
27 Epinephrine auto-injector 1 1 1 1
28 Analgesic tablets 2 4 8 2
29 Rapid Nasal packing 1 2 3 1
30 Cold packs (mind. 10 x 12.5 cm) 1 2 3 1
Size of Kit Small Medium Large Travel
Lower risk, e.g. offices, shops,
libraries
Less than 25
employees
25-100
employees
More than 100
employees Per vehicle
Higher risk, e.g. food processing,
assembly work, engineering,
construction, manufacturing etc.
Less than 5
employees
5-25
employees
More than 25
employees Per vehicle
Ref.:
• BS-8599 (UK, 2011), ANSI Z308.1 (USA, 2009), DIN 13157-C/DIN 13169 (Germany, 2009),
• Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization Guide to Preventative Occupational Health Services, (UAE).

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Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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Appendix 2: Recommended CPR / AED Equipment list
CPR / AED Equipment
Item
No. Product Description Item Quantity
1 CPR mouth pieces 2
2 Adult AED with adult pads 1
3 Child AED with child pads (optional) 1
4 AED accessories (towel, razor, etc.) 1
5 Spare batteries for AED 1
6 1-way valve Adult mask 1
7 1-way valve Pediatric mask (optional) 1
8 Face shield 1

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Appendix 3: Definitions and Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
AED Automated External Defibrillator
AHLS Advanced HazMat Life Support
BHLS Basic HazMat Life Support
BTLS Basic Trauma Life Support
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
EMT Emergency Medical Technicians
EMT-P Emergency Medical Technicians - Paramedics
First Aid
An immediate assistance given to a person suffering from a sudden illness
or injury in the workplace, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the
condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery. Such care may be
considered “first aid” even though provided by a health-care professional.
First Aider A person that has been trained in first aid to perform first aid in case of an
emergency.
GP General Practitioner
DOH Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
HSE Health and Safety Executive (United Kingdom)
ID
Identification number. This number may include the following:
• Emirates ID number
• Visa number
• Work permit number
ILS Immediate Life Support
Medical Device
A product used in healthcare for the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring or
treatment of illness or handicap excluding drugs. As a rule, it does not
achieve its principal intended action in or on the human body by
pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means
Medical
Emergency
A situation or condition having a high probability of disabling or immediately
life-threatening consequences requiring first aid or other immediate medical
intervention
Medical
(emergency)
treatment
A medical (emergency) service provided by a suitably qualified and licensed
healthcare professional, aimed at treating, curing or healing a medical
condition or health problem.
OFQUAL Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (United Kingdom)
PDIC Poison and Drug Information Center (at DOH)
SPI Skin Penetrating Injury
SCA Sudden Cardiac Arrest

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