First aid, accidents and illness in the workplace

What should a workplace first aid kit include?

Guide

Your business must have a suitably stocked first aid kit.  There is no set list of items to put in a first aid box as it depends on what you assess your needs to be.

A low-hazard workplace first aid kit should include at least the following:

  • a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid
  • 20 individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work (you can provide hypoallergenic plasters, if necessary)
  • two sterile eye pads
  • four individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile
  • six safety pins
  • two large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings
  • six medium-sized, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings
  • a pair of disposable gloves

You shouldn't keep tablets and medicines in the first aid kit.

Make sure you tell your employees where the first aid kit is and put up notices to let everyone in your workplace know where to find it.