First Aid Kits

Our range of first aid kits have been re-designed with new and improved contents. We offer fully compliant kits with the latest British standard as well as kits designed for personal or domestic use where the contents are more suited to common injuries. Our vast range of accessories and refills provide essential components suitable for extending your first aid kit or replacing expired/used items. We also provide burn kits which provide quick relief dressings and solutions to soothe, alleviate, cool and stop the burning process.

The decision on what to provide will be influenced by the findings of the first-aid needs assessment. As a guide, where work activities involve low hazards, a minimum stock of first-aid items might be:

• A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid (for example, HSE's leaflet Basic advice on first aid at work);
• Individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work (hypoallergenic plasters can be provided if necessary);
• Sterile eye pads;
• Individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;
• Safety pins;
• Large sterile individually wrapped un-medicated wound dressings;
• Medium-sized sterile and individually wrapped un-medicated wound dressings;
• Disposable gloves

This is only a suggested contents list.

Employers may wish to refer to British Standard BS 8599 which provides further information on the contents of workplace first-aid kits.
Whether using a first-aid kit complying with BS 8599 or an alternative kit, the contents should reflect the outcome of the first-aid needs assessment.
Although there is no specified review timetable, many items, particularly sterile ones, are marked with expiry dates. They should be replaced by the dates given and expired items disposed of safely. In cases where sterile items have no dates, it would be advisable to check with the manufacturers to find out how long they can be kept. For non-sterile items without dates, it is a matter of judgement, based on whether they are fit for purpose.

BS 8599-1:2011 was published in June 2011 and First Aid Kits conforming to this standard will completely replace the current British Healthcare Trade Association HSE 1, 10, 20 and 50 person statutory first aid kits from 31st December 2011.