Workplace accidents can happen at any time, anywhere, and those first few minutes can make all the difference. That’s why having the right workplace first aid kit fully stocked and ready to use is important in any working environment. From a large office, construction sites, to restaurants or even a one-room office, the right first aid provision helps ensure effective care when it’s needed.
However, making sure your workplace first aid kit is compliant isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s an important part of protecting your employees, keeping them safe and providing first aiders with the confidence and tools to respond quickly in an emergency.
As the nation’s leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance is here to support workplaces of all sizes, to ensure they stay safe, compliant and confident in delivering emergency first aid care.
But how do you really know if your workplace first aid kit is up to standard?
What does the law say about Workplace First Aid Kits?
According to The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers are required to provide the correct and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and first aid responders to ensure all employees receive immediate care. This law applies to all workplaces, regardless of size and even to those who are self-employed.
One kit doesn’t fit all workplaces
The first aid essentials you need depend on your individual workplace. This includes what goes into your workplace first aid kit, whether you need a dedicated first aid room or if trained first aiders are required on site. The best way to find this out is by carrying out a risk assessment.
Your risk assessment should look at the following:
- The size of your workplace
- The type of work you do
- The level of risk involved
- Whether employees work remotely or on site
For example, if you work in a low-risk environment like an office, a standard workplace first aid kit – like this standard office first aid kit – may be all you need. However, if you work in high-risk environments, such as those involving chemicals, you will need more specialist first aid supplies – like saline eye wash.
What should a compliant Workplace First Aid Kit include?
At most, all workplaces should have a workplace first aid kit that contains the following items:
- Sterile dressings and bandages
- Plasters
- Sterile eye wash
- Disposable gloves
- Face shields
- Cleansing wipes
- Scissors
- Foil blanket
Although, compliance doesn’t stop at just having a workplace first aid kit on site. Employers need to ensure that:
- Workplace first aid kits are easily accessible
- First aid supplies are in date and fully stocked
- First aid supplies reflect your workplace risks
Common gaps in Workplace First Aid
First aid provision isn’t as easy to understand as you may think. A lot of times, workplace first aid kits don’t meet all requirements:
- There may be expired or missing first aid supplies
- First aid kits aren’t reviewed regularly to comply with the growth in business
- No clear responsibility for checking and restocking first aid kits
- No provisions for employees who work off-site or on their own
Carrying out regular reviews is essential, especially if there are staff increases, growth in business, a change in processes or new risk assessments.
Tailoring First Aid Kits to your workplace
As mentioned before, one first aid kit doesn’t fit all businesses. So, it’s important to tailor your workplace first aid to your employees and risks.
For example:
- Hospitality and restaurant environments should include burn dressings
- Outdoor workers may need portable or travel-sized first aid kits
- Manual handling roles may need additional bandages and cold packs
At St John Ambulance, we offer a wide range of workplace first aid kits and first
aid supplies that are designed to help you meet legal requirements with confidence and ensure that you’re always prepared.
Why choose St John Ambulance Workplace First Aid Kits?
When you purchase a workplace first aid kit or top up on your first aid supplies from St John Ambulance, you’re choosing more than compliance, you’re choosing:
- Trusted experts from the UK’s leading first aid charity
- First aid kits aligned with workplace guidance and best practise
- High-quality and reliable first aid supplies
Our workplace first aid kits are available for an array of working environments, whether it’s for small offices, large offices, construction workers or schools – making it easy to find the right solution for your workplace.
