First Aid Kits - What Should They Contain?

Under the Health & Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers are required to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and persons so that employees can be given immediate help if they are taken ill or injured whilst at work.

To do this all employers must do an assessment of First Aid needs and that assessment will identify the needs for the particular site.

A large complex demolition with a high number of operatives such as a power station or tower block will require considerably more items for first aid, such as a stretcher, a defibrillator and additional dressings than will be required for a smaller contract with just a few men.

So, is there a legal list of First Aid Box contents? Yes, a British Standard does exist, BS 8599, but do we have to buy our kits from a supplier that complies with the BS?

The answer is No.

There is no mandatory list of contents in a first aid kit but the following is an excellent starting point:-

• A leaflet giving general guidance on First Aid - such as the HSE's "Basic advice on first aid at work" (INDG347)
• 20 individually wrapped sterile plasters in assorted sizes appropriate for the type of work being done.
• 4 individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile.
• 2 sterile eye pads.
• 2 large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmediated wound dressings.
• 6 medium sized, individually wrapped, sterile, unmediated wound dressings.
• 6 safety pins.
• A pair of disposable gloves.

For larger sites we suggest additional dressings, gloves, disposable aprons, mouth shields when carrying out CPR, moist wipes adhesive tape and scissors. It is the responsibility of the site first aides to ensure that the box remains fully stocked and that when an item has been used it is replaced.

We cannot emphasise enough that a trained first aider is essential for all demolition sites and that first aider should be a fully trained person rather than an " appointed person".

If your First Aid provision is lacking why not book a course now as our First Aid courses now include the additional module of first aid for infants and babies at no additional charge.

To book please email john.woodward@demolishdismantle.co.uk