How Many First Aid Kits Does My Workplace Need? All You Want to Know

Below will show you How Many First Aid Kits Does My Workplace Need? What should be put in the first aid kits?

Depending on the results of your first aid needs assessment, various businesses will require different numbers of first aid kits.

First aid requirements must be evaluated by employers in accordance with the dangers and risks present at each workplace. You should use the outcomes of the general risk assessment to help you think through the risks and where they are in the workplace. The location and number of first aid kits that are required on the premises can then be determined using this information.

Overall responsibility for making sure there are an appropriate number of first aid kits on premises rests with the employer. However, they may assign a competent individual, such as a representative from an occupational health service, the responsibility of organizing this and the first aid needs assessment.

Please read on for more detailed information.

How Many First Aid Kits Does My Workplace Need?

How many first aid kits your workplace needs will depend on the results of a risk assessment. This must be done by a competent and skilled employee and factors in three main points:

• Your workplace size– the higher the complexity of your space, the more first aid kits you will need. Generally speaking, if a space has multiple hazards, multiple floors, or if it takes more than 60 seconds to move between two areas, you will need more than one kit.
• Your workforce– the greater the number of employees, the more first aid kits you will need.
• Your workplace risk level– higher-risk work environments such as construction sites, warehouses and kitchens need more first aid kits than lower-risk environments such as offices and libraries.

What Size First Aid Kit Do I Need?

To make sure you choose the right one for your workplace out of the variety of sizes and options available, including statutory first aid kits and burns first aid kits, several factors must be taken into account.

For high-risk workplaces, including laboratories, construction sites, or any work environment that involves manufacturing, chemicals or sharp/dangerous machinery, we recommend:

• 1 small kit– for less than 5 people
• 1 medium kit– for groups of 5 to 25 people
• 1 large kit– per group of more than 25 people

For low-risk environments, including most retail shops, libraries, offices and schools, we recommend:

• 1 small kit– for less than 25 people
• 1 medium kit– for groups of 25 to 100 people
• 1 large kit– per group of more than 100 people

Where Should First Aid Kits Be Located?

The location of first aid kits is not necessary. The layout of the facility and the results of your first aid needs assessment should guide where they should be placed. You might observe, for instance, that some areas on the same floor have higher level hazards, necessitating the need for more kits or for keeping them close by.

You should ensure that the location of any first aid kits are:

• Easily accessible.
• Clearly visible.
• Signposted by a ‘first aid kit’ sign

Kits could be kept in a cabinet, mounted to the wall, or on a countertop. It will be more challenging to get the necessary supplies to an injured person if they can’t go themselves if a kit is mounted to the wall, so keep that in mind. If a worker travels frequently, works remotely, or is employed alone, you might need to give them their own personal first aid kit for travel.

Also keep in mind nearby work activities or equipment: keep the kit away from any areas that might affect the integrity of the box or the materials and substances inside the kit, e.g. work activities that create debris or high-temperature environments.

General Workplace Requirements

Due to the diversity of every workplace and industry, there is no universally applicable answer as to what should be included in a first aid kit or how medical professionals should be trained. The OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 standard does specify first aid recommendations and general industry employer responsibilities.

• Medical personnel should be readily available on-site for advice and consultation;
• People on the site need to be trained in first aid;
• First aid supplies must be readily available (able to be reached within four minutes);
• When the eyes or body are exposed to corrosive materials, there needs to be an emergency drenching and flushing station nearby.

Read about What Should Be in Your Travel First Aid Kit?

First Aid Kit Requirements

OSHA doesn’t have strict requirements for what should be in a first aid kit simply because there are so many hazards that would be faced on a job that requires treatments from bandages, burn care to immunizations. A designated individual who is in charge of selecting the contents of the kit and keeping it up to date should be present at every worksite.

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015 has these recommendations for stocking and restocking a general industry kit, along with a general first aid guide:

• Adhesive bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Antibiotics and antiseptics
• Breathing barriers
• Gel-soaked burn dressings and treatments
• Cold packs
• Eye coverings
• Eye and skin wash
• Hand sanitizer and/or skin wash
• Exam gloves
• Roller bandages in two and four-inch sizes
• Scissors
• Splints
• Sterile pads
• Tourniquets
• Trauma pads
• Triangular bandages

Other items that you may want to include are eyewash stations and skin protection products such as sunscreen and/or insect repellent — but keep in mind the time and distance requirements mentioned above. To see if you can provide over-the-counter medications, check your company policies and insurance provider. They should, if possible, be packaged in single-dose, tamper-evident, and labeled containers and not contain any drowsy-inducing ingredients. There shouldn’t be a lot of doors, hallways, or stairs in the way of the kit (there are also portable kits), and it should be in an easily accessible location. The contents of the kits should be complete and still be usable, and they should be stored in a manner that is appropriate for the workplace.

Training Requirements

29 No specific first aid training program, level of proficiency, or requirements are mentioned in CFR 1910.151. Standards that target particular industries, however, because of the nature of their hazards, lay out more specific training requirements.

Reference these standards for requirements beyond those of general industry:

• Permit-required confined spaces: 1910.146
• Commercial diving operations: 1910.410
• Logging operations: 1910.266, Appendix B
• Electric power: 1910.269
• Shipyards: 1915.87
• Construction: 1926

Employers must assess their first aid response and readiness plans, the risks and demands of the job, and the potential likelihood and seriousness of injuries at least once a year for all other industries.

Read about What Should Be in Your Travel First Aid Kit?

Final Thoughts

Despite the fact that this guide gives a general overview of first aid kits and supplies in workplaces, a risk assessment should be conducted to make sure your workplace is fully equipped to provide the necessary first aid. By being aware of the dangers and risks present at work, you can ensure that, in the event that one of your workers is hurt, the appropriate equipment will be available to help them feel secure and at ease.

Remember that first aid kits are insufficient to deal with life-threatening emergencies; always dial 999 and contact your designated first aider to care for the casualty until the emergency crew arrives.