Scale E medical cabinet

The table included in the link specifies the minimum medical supplies and equipment needed to treat minor medical conditions and injuries, or to temporarily stabilise a patient until they can be transferred to medical assistance.

The supplies and quantities may need to be increased based on the level of risks to the voyage, the length of the voyage, access to medical facilities, the cargo and the number of people on board. Owners and operators should determine appropriate additional medical supplies for their vessels based on a first aid risk assessment or medical advice.

If you are unsure of the nature or seriousness of an illness or injury, you should seek radio medical advice where a helicopter evacuation could be initiated. If a child requires treatment, you should seek radio medical advice as the medical supplies and equipment are only designed for adults.

Please note the following:

• Persons administering first aid should possess as a minimum a current first aid qualification in accordance with Marine Order 504. Persons administering the supplies under Scale E should possess a current First Aid Certificate or, more preferably the Occupational level of First Aid Certificate, First Aid Oxygen therapy, Asthma management, and the use of Air Splints.
• Medical supplies must not exceed the expiry date specified by the manufacturer or supplier of the product.
• Antibiotics must always be supplied in original packages or patient courses. Other products such as analgesics and creams will be considered adequate if an opened package contains at least 50 per cent of the original quantity, and the remaining product is uncontaminated and unaffected by any expiry date as a result of any seal being broken.
• Medication should be provided in original, sealed blister or foil packs where possible.
• All products must carry instructions and directions for use in English and clearly state the adult dose where applicable to enable safe and effective use of the medication for the intended purpose(s).

The Health Departments in each State and Territory provide advice on the process for commercial vessel Masters and Chief Officers to obtain restricted drugs for the purpose of restocking first aid kits and medical cabinets. Please contact the Department of Health in your respective state to confirm their particular requirements.

Medical cabinet

The cabinet must be located either:

• In a separate compartment adjacent to the hospital accommodation.
• Where hospital accommodation is not provided, adjacent to the vessel officers’ accommodation, or
• In a dry and cool space accessible to the Master and a nominated crew member.

The cabinet must be provided with:

• An outer door, fitted with an efficient lock.
• An inner cupboard, independently locked, for storing special drugs (noted in the table below with the symbol “*” or “#”).
• A dispensing counter or table, with an impervious surface, which may be a shelf in the medical cabinet.
• Suitable storage space for medicines and measuring devices, which facilitate identification of various items.
• Illumination by electric light from inside or immediately outside the cabinet.

The cabinet must be:

• Clearly identified on the outer door with an appropriate sign or sticker.
• Cleaned and checked every three (3) months.

Download Scale E medical cabinet contents as a printable file PDF374.15 KB.