Your Ultimate First Aid Box Checklist
Accidents and emergencies can happen anywhere, from busy construction sites to quiet office spaces. Having a well-stocked first aid box isn’t optional, it’s a legal and moral responsibility. In the UK, employers are required to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.
This article explores first aid box requirements, explains what should be in a first aid box at work, and provides a detailed first aid kit workplace checklist to help you stay compliant and prepared. Whether you’re a school administrator, facilities manager, or small business owner, this guide will ensure your first aid provision is up to standard.
Table of Contents
- Understanding First Aid Box Requirements in the UK
- What Should Be in a First Aid Box at Work
- Legal Requirements for First Aid Kits in Workplaces
- First Aid Kit Workplace Checklist: The Essentials
- List of Contents for a First Aid Box (Recommended Quantities)
- What Should Be in an Emergency First Aid Kit?
- Additional Items for Specific Work Environments
- Maintaining and Auditing Your First Aid Box
- Training Staff on First Aid Procedures
- Common Mistakes Employers Make with First Aid Boxes
- Internal and External Resources for Compliance
Understanding First Aid Box Requirements in the UK
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide “adequate and appropriate” first aid equipment. However, the law does not prescribe an exact list of items, as needs vary depending on the workplace.
Key considerations include:
- The nature of the work and hazards involved.
- The size of your workforce.
- Accident history and risk assessments.
- Distance to emergency medical services.
A low-risk office may need fewer items than a high-risk manufacturing plant, but first aid box requirements apply across all sectors.
What Should Be in a First Aid Box at Work?
At a minimum, a workplace first aid kit should contain sterile dressings, plasters, bandages, and basic equipment to treat common injuries. Employers should review their risk assessments to tailor the kit.
Basic items include:
- Adhesive plasters of various sizes.
- Sterile eye pads.
- Triangular bandages.
- Safety pins.
- Disposable gloves.
- Sterile wipes.
For detailed guidance, consult the Health and Safety Executive’s first aid at work regulations
Legal Requirements for First Aid Kits in Workplaces
The HSE recommends that every employer:
1. Conducts a risk assessment to determine kit size and contents.
2. Ensures all first aid materials are easily accessible.
3. Appoints a person responsible for maintenance and checks.
4. Provides information to employees about first aid arrangements.
Failure to comply can result in enforcement action or penalties, particularly if an incident occurs and the workplace is found unprepared.
First Aid Kit Workplace Checklist: The Essentials
Use this first aid kit workplace checklist to ensure you’re meeting requirements:
- Assorted sterile plasters
- Large and medium sterile dressings
- Triangular bandages (individually wrapped)
- Safety pins
- Disposable gloves (nitrile)
- Eye wash pods or saline solution
- Scissors (blunt-ended)
- Adhesive tape
- Face shield for resuscitation
- Sterile wipes and cleansing wipes
- Burn dressing or gel
- Foil blanket
- Accident book or reporting form
For businesses with unique risks (e.g chemical handling, catering, or outdoor work), additional items will be needed.
What Should Be in an Emergency First Aid Kit?
An emergency first aid kit should be portable and accessible in case of evacuation or outdoor work. Essential contents include:
1. Emergency blanket.
2. Instant cold packs.
3. Torch and spare batteries.
4. Extra plasters and dressings.
5. Emergency contact information.
6. CPR face shield or mask.
This kit supplements your main workplace box and should be kept in vehicles, field sites, or outdoor facilities.
Additional Items for Specific Work Environments
Depending on your industry, you may need extra supplies:
- Catering: Blue detectable plasters, finger cots, burn gel.
- Construction: Heavy-duty dressings, eyewash station, antiseptic spray.
- Schools or nurseries: Children’s plasters, thermometers, and smaller bandages.
- Chemical plants: Neutralising agents or specialist eyewash solutions.
At Woosh Washrooms, we offer workplace hygiene solutions that complement your health and safety compliance strategy.
Maintaining and Auditing Your First Aid Box
A first aid kit is only useful if it’s up to date. Assign a staff member to check kits monthly:
- Replace expired items promptly.
- Replenish after any use.
- Keep kits sealed, dry, and clearly labelled.
- Store them in accessible, well-signposted areas.
Consider maintaining a log sheet for checks and replenishments to satisfy auditors or inspectors.
Training Staff on First Aid Procedures
Even the best-stocked box is ineffective if staff don’t know how to use it. Arrange for trained first aiders to:
- Understand your workplace risks.
- Know where kits are located.
- Use equipment correctly.
- Record incidents accurately.
The British Red Cross and St John Ambulance offer excellent workplace first aid training.
Common Mistakes Employers Make with First Aid Boxes
- Using domestic kits - These often lack workplace-specific items.
- Not training enough first aiders - Leaving gaps during absences.
- Ignoring expiry dates - Outdated items may fail when needed.
- Storing kits in hard-to-reach places - Wasting precious time during emergencies.
- Failing to tailor kits to hazards - Overlooking unique workplace risks.
Avoiding these mistakes improves safety and compliance.
External Resources:
Health and Safety Executive - First Aid at Work Guidance
British Red Cross - Workplace First Aid
St John Ambulance - First Aid Kits
Key Takeaways for First Aid Box Requirements
- UK employers must comply with first aid box requirements under HSE regulations.
- Tailor your kit to your workplace risks and staff numbers.
- Use a first aid kit workplace checklist to ensure nothing is missed.
- An emergency first aid kit is essential for off-site or outdoor activities.
- Regular maintenance and staff training are critical for effective first aid provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should be in a first aid box at work?
At minimum: assorted plasters, sterile dressings, triangular bandages, safety pins, gloves, wipes, adhesive tape, scissors, and a resuscitation face shield. Adjust quantities and add items based on your workplace risk assessment.
2. Are there specific requirements for first aid kits in UK workplaces?
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require “adequate and appropriate” equipment but leave specifics to employers’ risk assessments. Following HSE guidelines ensures compliance.
3. How often should a first aid box be checked?
Inspect kits monthly or after any use. Replace expired or used items immediately to ensure readiness.
Stay Compliant and Safe with Woosh Washrooms
A well-stocked first aid box is a small investment with a big impact. It protects your employees, meets legal requirements, and demonstrates a commitment to workplace safety. By following this first aid kit workplace checklist, you can be confident that you’re prepared for emergencies.
At Woosh Washrooms, we support businesses with hygiene, safety, and compliance solutions tailored to UK workplaces.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you maintain a safer, more compliant environment.
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