Do you know that it is a legal requirement for employers to ensure that a first aid kit is provided for their workers in every workplace setting?

This means that you should have a first aid kit in your physical building as well as in any work vehicles. If your workplace is multiple storeys it is recommended that you have a kit available on at least every second level. But let’s be honest, you’d be far better off having one on each level. The point is that in the event of an injury or illness, quick access to the kit is critical.

The size of the first aid kit you will need is dependent on how many employees you have in the workplace at any one time. You will find when looking at the first aid kits we stock that they state how many people they are intended to service.

If your workplace has any particularly high risk areas you should ensure that a first aid kit is located in that area as it is the most likely to need it. For example, if you have an office space and a manufacturing warehouse behind, you would want to make sure the first aid kit is located in the warehouse. This is because injuries are more likely to happen here and injuries that do happen are likely to be of a worse nature than those sustained in an office environment. That said, if your office and warehouse are in two separate buildings you should have a kit per building.

First aid kits provided for work vehicles should be safely located within the vehicle so as not to become a projectile in the case of a collision. A small first aid sticker (white cross on green background) should be stuck on the place where the kit is located so it can be easily found when needed. For example, if you store the kit in your glove box you should fix the sticker to the outside of the compartment.

So you’ve long since ensured that your workplace and work vehicles are fitted out with all the appropriate kits. But how long is it since you checked those kits?

You should be checking your first aid kits regularly. After each use you should make sure that any items used are replaced as soon as practicable. If not used to your knowledge you should still be carrying out checks every twelve months to ensure the kit still contains a complete set of the required items. The inventory list in the kit should be signed and dated after each check. This check is important as people may have used items without you knowing, the kit may have been tampered with and also the contents do all have an expiry date. This check is usually carried out by your workplace ‘first aider’. However, we do offer the service here at SWF Group for one of our experienced team to come on site and check all your first aid kits contents and determine what needs refilling.

Aside from first aid kits you may need to consider if your workplace requires additional first aid equipment. For example, if there is risk of electrocution, expected long wait times for ambulance access or large numbers of members of the public at your workplace you should consider having a defibrillator on hand to reduce the risk of fatality from cardiac arrest. In workplaces where there is a risk of hazardous chemicals or infectious substances causing injury it is recommended to have eye wash units and emergency showers available for use.

When the going is good and you have not had any major injuries, first aid kits and equipment may seem like a waste of money - but be assured that should the emergency situation arise where the first aid items can make the difference between saving or losing the life of an employee or other person no value can be put on that.

SWF Group | 'Safety at Work First!'