Every workplace needs suitable first aid provision, including a properly stocked first aid kit. What "suitable" means depends on your business, so start with a first aid needs assessment.

What the Law Says

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 – and the Northern Ireland version from 1982 – require employers to provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities and people. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) publish guidance on what that means.

It's often confusing whether you need a BS 8599-1 kit or an "HSE" kit. The law doesn't require either by name:

  • HSE kits follow the suggested list of contents in the HSE's guidance – a minimum starting point for low-risk workplaces.
  • BS 8599-1 kits follow the British Standard, which sets out more detailed, modern contents and kit sizes. It isn't a legal requirement, but it's a good benchmark, and many employers choose it.

Either can be acceptable, as long as it suits the risks your needs assessment identifies.

Things to Consider

  • How many people are on site, including visitors.
  • The type of work – an office has different risks from a workshop or kitchen.
  • Where people work – separate buildings, remote sites or vehicles may need their own kits.

BS 8599-1 Kit Sizes

  • Small – up to 25 people in a low-risk workplace (such as an office), or up to 5 in a higher-risk one.
  • Medium – 25 to 100 people in a low-risk workplace, or 5 to 25 in a higher-risk one.
  • Large – one per 100 people in a low-risk workplace, or one per 25 in a higher-risk one.

Specialist Kits

  • Catering kits – for kitchens and food areas, with blue, easy-to-spot plasters.
  • Burns kits – for kitchens, workshops and anywhere with a burn risk.
  • Travel and vehicle kits – compact kits for cars, vans and lorries. Vehicle kits made to BS 8599-2 are a good choice.

Vehicles

  • Buses, coaches and minibuses may be legally required to carry a first aid kit with set contents under passenger-carrying and public service vehicle (PCV/PSV) rules – check what applies to your vehicle.
  • Vehicles carrying dangerous goods (ADR – the international rules for carrying dangerous goods by road) must carry certain safety equipment, which for many loads includes eye rinsing liquid. Check the ADR requirements for your load.
  • Cars and vans – a first aid kit isn't a legal requirement for private cars in the UK, but it's sensible. For work vehicles, your first aid needs assessment should cover them.

Where to Keep Them

  • Somewhere easy to reach, ideally near hand-washing facilities.
  • Clearly marked with a green and white first aid sign, so anyone can find the kit quickly.
  • Display the names of your first aiders (or the person in charge of first aid) and where the kits are kept – for example, on the noticeboard or next to the kit.

Employers need to appoint someone to take charge of first aid arrangements. Depending on your risks and numbers, you may also need trained first aiders.

Checking and Restocking

Check your kit regularly, and restock anything that's been used or is out of date. Some items have a shorter life than you might think – check the expiry date on each one. For example, sterile eyewash often lasts around 2 to 3 years, and burns dressings and gels have expiry dates too.

Worth remembering… your first aid needs assessment is what decides the kit your workplace needs. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.

Not sure what you need? Get in touch with our team – we'll be delighted to help. No pressure. No sales patter.