Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Workplace First Aid Kits - What Should I Include?

There are no hard and fast rules about what should be in a first aid kit for the workplace. In the UK, many companies market "HSE Approved" first aid kits, but in fact there is no such thing. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) does make some suggestions as to what might be included; but in fact, it is a pretty incomplete list.On the other hand, the HSE does have some strong views on what should not be included in a workplace first aid kit. Specifically, they say that drugs, prescription or otherwise, such as aspirin or paracetamol, along with creams and ointments, are not appropriate and should not be kept in a first aid box.For a basic starter first aid kit, suitable for up to ten employees, in a low hazard environment such as a library, or offices, here is a suggested list:



A leaflet or book, giving basic first aid advice

20 sterile sticky plasters, individually wrapped

2 sterile eye pads

4 triangular bandages, individually wrapped

6 safety pins

2 large sterile wound dressings

6 medium sterile wound dressings

4 small sterile wound dressings

2 pairs disposable gloves, preferably individually wrapped

1 pair blunt ended scissors

1 roll sticky tape

2 non adherent dressings 10cm x 10cm

1 clean plastic bag e.g. freezer/sandwich bag



If access to clean water is difficult:



1 litre bottle of water or 2 half litre bottles, minimum, preferably sterile

10 moist wipes, non alcoholic, individually wrapped.



Other items may be appropriate, depending upon your individual environment. You may wish to include things like instant cold packs to reduce the swelling on sprained ankles, or if there is an office kettle and a burn is possible, then a small roll of clean clingfilm would make an excellent dressing.Do make sure that first aid kits are kept in an easy clean, marked container. Its location should be easily accessible, known to all employees and marked by a sign consisting of a white cross on a green background. It is essential that there should be an appointed person or, preferably, a trained first aider, whose responsibility it is to keep the first aid kit properly stocked, clean and up to date.The HSE strongly recommends that all appointed persons should have some first aid training. They have introduced the new Emergency First Aid at Work course, a one day, approved and recognised course, to replace the old appointed persons courses, which were unregulated and varied wildly in their content and quality.



Chris Sollars has many years experience in the medical field, both clinically and commercially and has travelled throughout the World, delivering education, training and advice. Chris now owns Sollars First Aid, a UK first aid training company. You can find much more information on first aid and first aid at work training, including HSE approved courses, by going to our website http://www.sollarsfirstaid.com.

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