WHAT SHOULD A FIRST-AID BOX IN THE WORKPLACE CONTAIN?
THE CURRENT PUBLISHED GUIDANCE FROM HSE IS AS FOLLOWS:
1 There is no mandatory list of items to be included in a first-aid container. 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 work5);
■ 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 unmedicated wound dressings;
■ medium-sized sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings;
■ disposable gloves (see HSE’s leaflet Latex and you6).
2 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 firstaid kit complying with BS 8599 or an alternative kit, the contents should reflect the outcome of the first-aid needs assessment.
Travelling first-aid kit contents
3 There is no mandatory list of items to be included in first-aid kits for travelling
workers. They might typically contain:
■ a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid (for example HSE’s leaflet Basic advice on first aid at work5);
■ individually wrapped sterile plasters (hypoallergenic plasters can be provided, if necessary);
■ individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;
■ safety pins;
■ large sterile un-medicated dressing;
■ individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes;
■ disposable gloves (see HSE’s leaflet Latex and you6).
THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTE HAS THE FOLLOWING TO ADD:
There are two standards…
BS 8599-2:2014. First aid kits. Specification for the contents of motor vehicle first aid kits
BS 8599-2:2014. First aid kits. Specification for the contents of motor vehicle first aid kits
CONTENTS OF BRITISH STANDARD COMPLIANT (BS 8599-1)
|
CONTENTS |
SMALL |
MEDIUM |
LARGE |
TRAVEL |
| F/A guidance leaflet | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Medium sterile dressing | 4 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
| Large sterile dressing | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Triangular dressing | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Safety pins | 12 | 12 | 24 | 12 |
| Eye dressing | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Adhesive dressings | 40 | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| Sterile wet wipe | 20 | 30 | 40 | 4 |
| Microporous tape | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Nitrile gloves – pair | 6 | 9 | 12 | 1 |
| Face shield | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Foil blanket | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Burn dressing 10 x 10cm | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Clothing shears | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Conforming bandage | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Finger dressing | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Sterile eyewash 250ml | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
CONTENTS OF BRITISH STANDARD COMPLIANT (BS 8599-2)
|
CONTENTS |
SMALL |
MEDIUM |
LARGE |
| F/A guidance leaflet | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Medium trauma dressing | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Large trauma dressing | 1 | ||
| Triangular dressing | 1 | 2 | |
| Adhesive plaster | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| Adherent dressing large | 1 | 2 | |
| Sterile wet wipe | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| Sterile dressing ambulance | 1 | 2 | |
| Nitrile gloves – pair | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Face shield | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Foil blanket | 1 | 3 | |
| Burn dressing 10 x 10cm | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Clothing shears | 1 | 1 | 1 |
THE TYPE OF VEHICLE & THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE FIRST AID KIT REQUIRED
NUMBER OF PASSENGERS/VEHICLE TYPE |
SMALL |
MEDIUM |
LARGE |
| 1-3 Motorcycles, mopeds, quads | 1 | ||
| 1-8 Cars, vans, taxis & commercial vehicles | 1 | ||
| 1-16 Minibuses, small buses | 1 | ||
| 17+ Buses, coaches | 2 |