First aid kits in the workplace (BS 8599-1) - Health for Work Adviceline

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This blog was originally posted back in 2011 but has proved to be so popular that we have decided to re-post to make it more easily accessible for anyone who may not have seen it yet:

The?Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981?require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure that employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These regulations apply to all workplaces including those with fewer than five employees and to the self-employed.

However, there has historically not been much in the way of guidance on what a first aid kit should contain. This means that in the event of an emergency, some organisations find that their first aid kits lack the essentials, or include out-dated or inadequate components that are of limited use to the first aider. For example, often first aid kits don?t contain enough wipes, plasters or sacks in which to dispose of dressings, so employers might have to buy additional supplies to supplement their kit.

The new British standard for first aid kits in the workplace (BS 8599-1), which was published in June 2011, recommends the correct number of particular components for small, medium, large or travel-size kits and also recommends how many kits are needed depending on the size of the organisation. It sets the minimum level that first aid kits should conform to and should be followed by manufacturers of first aid kits and anyone who assembles first aid kits in the workplace. The new?BS 8599-1?standard takes into account more modern and functional products encompassing a wider range of common workplace risks. Some changes include:

• increased number of disposable gloves, which are now required to be nitrile, which are far more dextrous than vinyl gloves and eliminate possible latex allergies;

• fewer triangular bandages as they are no longer used for the immobilisation of limb injuries;

• introduction of smaller absorbent wound dressings for finger injuries, where a plaster will not be sufficient;

• introduction of tearable non-woven,?hypoallergenic adhesive tape to secure bandages without using safety pins;

• introduction of water-based sterile gel burn dressings (which do not require any pre-cooling with water) and a conforming bandage to secure it;

• introduction of a resuscitation face shield to provide a protective barrier for first aiders administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The?BS 8599-1?standard gives recommendations on the amount and size of the first aid kits necessary for different workplace environments based on the category of risk (low risk: e.g. shops, offices; medium risk: e.g. warehousing, light engineering work; high risk: e.g. construction, work with chemicals) and the number of employees. Requirements are set concerning marking and information to be supplied by manufacturers.

Requirements are also given for the container holding the components. The container should be able to fit all of the relevant components inside and close securely, and should be clean, dustproof and provide protection for the contents in a workplace environment.

Workplace first aid kits can be complemented by other items that have been identified during a risk assessment, if necessary. Where there are unusual hazards that are specific to a particular workplace environment, workplace first aid kits should be supplemented with additional, appropriate components.

It is very important for employers to ensure that they fulfil their legal responsibilities by offering immediate and appropriate first aid help to employees. Guidance can be sought by employers from the?Health for Work Adviceline?on the first aid supplies they should be making available to staff by calling?0800 0 77 88 44.

Source: http://www.health4work.nhs.uk/blog/2013/01/first-aid-kits-in-the-workplace-bs-8599-1/

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