Glossary
A simple box can be the difference between a minor incident and a serious one. Picture an ordinary office day that turns chaotic when someone gets hurt. In moments like that, a first aid kit stops being just a box on the wall and becomes the first line of response.
The numbers make the case on their own. In 2020/2021, more than 1.7 million work-related illnesses were reported, and 142 workers were fatally injured at work. This article covers what a kit should contain, the legal requirements behind it, and how those requirements shift across different environments. From offices to construction sites, a well-stocked kit lets teams respond fast when it counts.
A kit on hand can save a life in an emergency. Without one, an injured person's condition can worsen before they reach a hospital. And it isn't optional: providing a workplace first aid kit is a legal requirement under the 2015 Health and Safety at Work Act. Below, we walk through the requirements, the contents, and where these kits belong.
Key Takeaways
- A first aid kit is a bag, box, or pack that contains materials and tools used to treat minor injuries and give emergency treatment.
- The requirements are the essential items that a first aid kit should have.
- Employers are obligated by law to provide first aid supplies to ensure workplace safety.
What Is a First Aid Kit?
A first aid kit is a bag, box, or pack of life-saving supplies used to help a sick or injured person until full medical assistance or emergency services arrive. Beyond the basics, it can hold personal protective equipment, medicines, medical equipment, survival supplies, and convenience items. What goes inside depends on the kinds of emergencies a given workplace is likely to face. Store the kit somewhere cold and dry, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Workplace injuries and illnesses are more common than most people assume. The HSE's Health and Safety Statistics 2020/2021 record the following:
- 142 workers were killed at work.
- 0.4 million workers suffered a non-fatal injury.
- 1.7 million cases of work-related illness (new or long-standing) were reported.
- 12000 workers died of lung disease.
What Are First Aid Kit Requirements?
First aid arrangements are legally required in every business. The supplies themselves aren't strictly mandated by law, but no workplace should be without them.
BS 8599-1 First Aid Kit Standard
Workplace first aid kits must meet British Standard (BS) 8599-1, which defines what belongs inside. Under BS 8599-1, the size and scope of a kit are calculated from the number of employees and the level of risk.
Why is the Standard Changing?
British standards are reviewed every 5 years and adjusted to reflect current conditions. The latest version, BS 8599-1:2019, was published in January 2019.
Checklist for Basic First Aid Kit Items
Every business needs a first aid kit, regardless of size. What goes in it comes down to the results of a first aid needs assessment. That assessment weighs several variables: the hazards present, the nature of the work, and how many people are involved.
A few situational factors matter too. COVID-19 testing, for example, may need to be accounted for to protect first responders and everyone around them.
Workplace First Aid Kit Contents: What Should Be in a First Aid Kit?
The list below sets out the minimum acceptable number and types of supplies for a workplace kit:
- Tweezers
- 2 triangular bandages
- Adhesive tapes
- Box adhesive bandages
- One emergency blanket
- Adhesive bandages
- Two elastic wraps
- Directions for requesting emergency assistance
- Two large sterile gauze pads 8 × 10 inches (ca. 25 cm)
- A roller bandage 4 inches (ca. 10 cm) wide
- 2 pairs of nonlatex gloves
- Scissors
- First aid equipment for resuscitation such as pocket mask, airway, or resuscitation bag
- Wound cleaning agents
First Aid Needs Assessment
There are no hard and fast rules for workplace first aid kits. As long as your office kit matches what your needs assessment calls for, you're covered.
That assessment is how you decide what must actually go into a kit. It's the employer's job to carry it out and use the findings to determine what equipment, facilities, and personnel are adequate and appropriate, including the contents of the kit itself. Consider the following:
- Nature of the work.
- Hazards in the workplace and the likely risk that they will cause harm (low-risk and high-risk environments).
- Size of the company and number of employees.
- Company's accident and incident history.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) works to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. The HSE first aid kit requirements call for the components below in both low-risk and high-risk environments.
Low-Risk Working Environments vs High-Risk Working Environments
Working settings fall into two categories, low-risk and high-risk, and the contents of a kit differ for each. Here's how they break down.
Low-Risk Working Environments
A low-risk environment is one where the chance of injury or illness is small. Think offices, retail and convenience stores, bars and cafés. The work isn't especially hazardous, staff numbers tend to be modest, and medical help is usually easy to reach when an accident happens.
Low Risk First Aid Kit Contents According to HSE
- A leaflet that explains the basics of first aid- HSE offers a free aid leaflet that can be downloaded and printed out
- Plasters of different sizes that are wrapped and sterile
- Triangular bandages that are wrapped and sterile
- Disposable gloves
- Safety pins
- Sterile eye pads
- Wound and burn dressings
COVID-19 regulations require kits to include hand sanitizers, face shields, and protective masks for first aid responders. One thing to keep in mind: first aid kits should never contain drugs or tablets.
High-Risk Working Environments
Workers in high-risk environments are far more likely to get hurt or fall ill than those in lower-risk settings. Professional kitchens, hazardous facilities, and construction sites all qualify. In these workplaces, kits have to be tailored to the specific hazards the business deals with.
Examples of Additional First Aid Kit Contents
- Disposable aprons
- Adhesive hypoallergenic microporous tape
- Sterile disposable tweezers
- Clothing shears
- Tourniquets
- Foil blankets
- Individually wrapped moist wipes
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Where Do I Need First Aid Kits?
Suitable first aid provision means employees get immediate help when an injury or illness strikes. You'll find first aid kits in places like these:
- Office/Workplace
- Childcare
- Hospitality and Catering
- Construction and Vehicle
- Home
- Ambulance
Requirements vary from one industry to the next. Because employee populations and risk levels differ across sectors, each comes with its own regulations meant to protect workers from work-related emergencies. You can explore related workplace safety and compliance terms in our glossary.
Vehicle First Aid Kit Requirements
A vehicle first aid kit is part of every driver's basic equipment, packing the essentials to handle an emergency on the road. British Standard BS 8599-2:2014 sets out the recommended kit sizes for cars based on passenger count. BS 8599-1:2019 goes further, suggesting employers provide a medium-sized kit for staff who travel or drive as part of the job.
Vehicle first aid kit essentials are:
- Clothing Cutters
- Burn Dressings
- Sterile Wipes
- Foil Blanket
- Face Shield
- Nitrile Gloves
- Washproof Plasters
- Triangular Bandage
- Trauma and Sterile Dressings
Construction Site First Aid Kit Requirements
Construction is a high-risk industry. The harsh environment, the substances workers are exposed to, and the equipment they handle all put them at risk of serious injury. A kit on a construction site should therefore carry contents geared to high-risk environments.
On top of the basic supplies, construction employers may want to add items such as:
- Tourniquets for severe bleeding
- Alcohol-based disinfectant
- Finger bandages
- Saline eye wash capsules in case foreign objects or hazardous materials enter the eye
- Foil blankets for hypothermia and shock
- Hydrogel burn dressings and gels
- Clothing Cutters
- Clinical waste bags
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Where Can I Find Emergency First Aid at Work?
Place first aid boxes at strategic points throughout the building, with posters pointing visitors to the nearest kit and listing contact details for the first responder. Keep kits near each workstation, and make sure employees know who their first responders are. A vehicle kit is worth having on hand too, in case an emergency strikes away from the building.
How Many First Aid Kits Do I Need at Work?
BS 8599-1 calls for at least one kit of the appropriate size in every workplace. The exact count is tuned to the organization, based on how many people work there and what hazards they face.
Low-Risk Environments Should Adhere to the Following Guidelines:
- For more than 25 personnel, a single small kit is required.
- For companies with between 25 and 100 workers, one medium kit is required.
- A single large kit is needed for companies with more than 100 people.
For High-Risk Workplaces, the Following Rules Apply:
- A small kit is needed for fewer than five employees.
- One medium first aid kit is required for high-risk jobs with 5-25 personnel.
- A large first-aid package is essential for workplaces with more than 25 employees.
Monitoring First Aid Kits
Workplace first aid requirements call for checking the boxes on a regular basis. Those checks confirm that:
- No damage is done to the kit's container or its first aid kit contents.
- Items that are sterile and have not expired can be used.
- The kits do not include any unapproved materials, such as pills.
How to Become a First Aider
Any workplace with more than five employees must have one suitably qualified first aider for every 50 workers. Since first responders take holidays, sick leave, and lunch breaks, every organization should also have a backup.
Plenty of organizations run first aid courses, and graduates earn a first aid certificate on completion. First aiders are encouraged to take refresher training, and certification has to be renewed. Course costs depend on how many courses are taken and the hazard level of the organization.
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Conclusion
First aid at work can be the difference between life and death, which is why the law puts the responsibility on employers. They have to supply adequate and suitable materials so that injuries and illnesses don't get worse, and every workplace, no matter how small, is expected to keep at least one modest kit on hand.
Before settling on the number of kits, their contents, or any extra equipment, complete a first aid needs assessment. The kits have to comply with BS 8599-1, and the supplies have to meet the specifications.
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FAQ
What Are the Requirements for a First Aid Kit?
The requirements are the essential items that should be contained in a basic first aid pack like plasters, sterile gauze dressings, sterile eye dressings, triangular bandages, crepe rolled bandages, safety pins, disposable sterile gloves and tweezers.
What Are OSHA Requirements for First Aid?
OSHA compliance standards require different industries to provide first-aid training to their employees. Employers are also responsible for ensuring that medical personnel are available. In addition, businesses should have adequately trained first responders on hand in the event of an emergency.
Is It a Legal Requirement to Have a First Aid Kit?
Yes. Any business is required by law to have first aid arrangements. All businesses should offer adequate and suitable first aid supplies.
Where to Buy a First Aid Kit?
There are numerous vendors of first aid kits on the market, and it is crucial to buy from a reputable supplier, such as Safety First Aid, whose products comply with British Standard BS 8599-1.
What Are First Aid Kit Levels?
WorkSafeBC recognizes five levels of first aid equipment; personal first aid kit, basic first aid kit, level 1 first aid kit, level 2 first aid kit and level 3 first aid kit The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Guidelines list the minimum recommended contents for each level of first aid kit.
