At least one full basic first aid kit must be provided in the workplace.  They should be of suitable material and designed to protect the contents from damp and dust.  Kits should be clearly identified as first aid containers and marked with a white cross on a green background.

The kits should be easily accessible and visible to all employees and unlocked.  They should be located:

• Close to a wash basin with hot and cold running water, soap and clean towels.  If clean water is not available then saline solution may be substituted
• There should be immediate access for areas of particular hazard
• There should be at least one kit per floor for every multi-level place of work
• One kit should be available for each 50 staff members. 

CONTENTS      

Workplace First Aid

Basic: 

• A first aid manual
• 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings appropriate to the type of work
• 2 sterile eye pads
• 2 individually wrapped triangular bandages
• 6 safety pins
• 6 medium sized, individually wrapped unmedicated would dressings 18 cm x 18 cm
• 1 pair of disposable gloves
• 1 resuscitation mask

Optional:

• Scissors
• Adhesive tape
• Disposable aprons
• Disposable wipes
• Saline solution  

Vehicle or Lone Workers

Basic:

• A general guidance leaflet
• 6 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings appropriate to the type of work
• 2 individually wrapped triangular bandages
• 2 safety pins
• 1 large, sterile individually wrapped unmedicated would dressings 18 cm x 18 cm
• Individually wrapped moist cleansing wipe ( non-alchohol based)
• 1 pair of disposable gloves
• 1 resuscitation mask

Optional:

• Scissors
• Adhesive tape
• Thermal blanket
• Disposable aprons
• Additional disposable wipes
• Saline solution

The question of whether to include pain relief or cold remedies within work first aid kits has been much debated.  OSH make no stand either way and leave the responsibility firmly with the employer.  It would not be our recommendation to include medication such as paracetamol in first aid kits.  Pain relief described as “pharmacy only medicine” should only be used on medical advice.

Click here to download a relevant documents: First Aid Register, Incident Report Form

Click here for more information on Health and Safety processes and procedures.