First Aid Kits

What your first aid kit looks like is irrelevant as long as it is clearly labelled as a “First Aid Kit”.  What’s more important are the contents.

Each of your kits should be fit for it’s intended purpose.  For example a first aid kit in an office with computing equipment should differ vastly from a first aid kit used on the shop floor of an engineering works.

It’s best practice to:

  • Have a contents list for each kit
  • For the kits to be restocked after each use
  • For monthly checks of each kit to be done

First Aid KitIt’s also worth including in your first aid kits:

  • Individually wrapped face coverings
  • Sharpie pen so you can make notes on your gloves eg. length of a seizure

As a first aider you cannot administer pills, potions creams or ointments.  The only exceptions are administering:

  • An inhaler for an asthma attack
  • An epipen for anaphylaxis
  • An aspirin for a heart attack*

These must be stored outside of your first aid kits.

Click the hotspot on the image to see a basic first aid kit list >

REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS & NEAR MISSES Reference icon

A near miss if simply an accident waiting to happen and should be noted in your accident records.  Any information recorded should comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act (2018).

These records should be kept for a minimum of 3 years or potentially 40 years if your employees are under health surveillance (seen by a doctor for regular check-ups as part of their job role).

For any severe accidents you must comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (2013).  

Created: 19 October 2024
Last Modified: 21 October 2024
Author: Phil Newton

Version: Version: 1.00