Workplace First Aid Supplies Checklist 2026

Every workplace needs suitable first aid arrangements. Whether you run an office, factory, warehouse, construction site, school, catering business, retail site or public-facing organisation, the right first aid kits and first aid equipment should be easy to find, properly stocked and suitable for the risks on site.

This checklist explains what UK employers should consider when choosing a workplace first aid kit, what a first aid kit at work should contain, how to carry out a first aid needs assessment, and which additional items may be useful for different work environments.

There is no single mandatory list of items for every workplace. The correct first aid provisions depend on the nature of your workplace, the number of employees, workplace hazards, work activities, members of the public, travel requirements and whether trained first aiders are available.

What First Aid Supplies Do UK Workplaces Need?

The right first aid supplies depend on your workplace. A small office, a busy warehouse and a manufacturing site will not need the same size and contents. Every workplace is different, so the best starting point is to complete a first aid needs assessment.

A first aid needs assessment will help you decide the level of first aid equipment, the number of first aid kits, the number of first aiders, and whether you need additional items for specific workplace hazards.

Common workplace first aid supplies include:

• HSE 1-10 Person Workplace First Aid Kit
• BS8599-1 Medium Workplace Kit
• BS8599-1 Workplace First Aid Kit in Glow In The Dark Aura Box
• HSE 1-10 Person First Aid Kit Refill
• Washproof plasters
• Blue detectable plasters
• HSE dressings
• Conforming bandages
• Black nitrile gloves
• 500ml eye wash with eye cap
• Large Premier burns first aid kit
• Bleed control first aid kit
• Body fluid spill clean-up kit
• First aid sign 210 x 148mm
• Accident book A5 or A4

Start With a First Aid Needs Assessment

A first aid needs assessment is the key document that helps employers decide what first aid provisions are suitable. It should consider the specific needs of your workplace, including the hazard level, work activities, number of employees, shift patterns, lone workers, visitors, members of the public, previous incidents and how quickly emergency services can reach the site.

The Health and Safety Executive, often shortened to HSE, explains that first aid provision must be adequate and appropriate in the circumstances, and that employers should assess the first aid needs appropriate to their business.

Your assessment should consider:

• The nature of your workplace
• Workplace hazards and injury risks
• The number of employees in your workplace
• Whether there are remote, lone or mobile workers
• Whether members of the public visit the site
• Whether employees travel for work
• The size and layout of your premises
• The location of the nearest emergency medical help
• The number of trained first aiders or appointed persons
• Whether additional items are needed beyond a basic first aid kit

What Do the First Aid Regulations Say?

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel so employees can receive immediate attention if they are injured or become ill at work.

The first aid regulations apply to all workplaces, including small businesses and self-employed people. The law does not give one universal mandatory list of items that every first aid box must contain. Instead, employers should choose first aid equipment based on their workplace risk assessment and first aid needs assessment.

HSE strongly recommends that employers include non-employees, such as visitors, customers, contractors, pupils or members of the public, when assessing first aid needs.

What Should a Workplace First Aid Kit Include?

The contents of a first aid kit should match the risks on site. A workplace first aid kit usually includes essential items for common injuries, such as minor cuts, grazes, sprains, strains and small wounds.

A basic first aid kit may include:

• Guidance leaflet
• Sterile plasters in assorted sizes
• Sterile eye pads
• Triangular bandages
• Medium and large sterile dressings
• Low-adherent dressings
• Conforming bandages
• Disposable gloves
• Cleansing wipes
• Microporous tape
• Safety pins or clips where included
• Scissors or shears where appropriate
• Foil blanket where included in the kit specification

This is not a mandatory list. The first aid kit should contain the items that should be included for your specific workplace. The contents can vary depending on the hazards, the people on site and the outcome of your first aid needs assessment.

BS 8599 and British Standard First Aid Kits

Many UK employers choose first aid kits that conform to BS 8599-1, the British Standard for workplace first aid kits. These kits are designed to provide a structured set of minimum contents for different workplace sizes and risk levels.

For many businesses, first aid kits that comply with BS 8599-1 are a practical starting point. However, first aid kits that conform to BS 8599 may still need additional items if your workplace has specific hazards such as chemicals, burns, eye risks, catering, machinery, outdoor work or severe bleeding risks.

Useful options include the BS8599-1 Workplace First Aid Kit in Glow In The Dark Aura Box, BS8599-1 Medium Workplace Kit, Fully Stocked First Aid Cabinet with BS8599-1 Medium Contents and HSE 1-10 Person First Aid Kit Refill.

Product Pick: BS8599-1 Glow In The Dark Workplace First Aid Kit

Workplace First Aid Kit Checklist

Use this first aid kit checklist as a practical starting point before ordering or restocking supplies. It is not a legal mandatory list, but it can help you review the contents of your first aid provision.

How Many First Aid Kits Does a Workplace Need?

There is no fixed number of first aid kits that applies to every workplace. The number of first aid kits should be based on your first aid needs assessment, the number of employees, building size, work areas, floor levels, hazards and shift patterns.

A small low-risk office may only need one well-stocked first aid kit. A larger workplace with warehouses, workshops, kitchens, production lines, outdoor yards or separate buildings may need several kits placed across the site.

When deciding the number of first aid kits, ask:

• Can employees reach a kit quickly?
• Are there separate departments or buildings?
• Are there high-risk work areas?
• Are kits available on every floor where needed?
• Do mobile workers need a HSE 1 Person First Aid Kit for lone worker travel?
• Do vehicles, vans or site teams need a Vehicle First Aid Kit or Van and Truck First Aid Kit?
• Are visitors or members of the public present?

First Aid Kits for Offices and Low-Risk Workplaces

Office environments are usually lower risk, but they still need appropriate first aid provisions. A basic workplace first aid kit may be suitable for many offices, provided the contents are based on the first aid needs assessment.

Office first aid supplies may include:

• First Aid Kit HSE 1-10 Person Workplace
• Small Universal First Aid Kit
• Medium Universal First Aid Kit
• Washproof plasters
• HSE dressings
• Conforming bandages
• Black nitrile gloves
• Accident book A5 or A4
• First aid sign 210 x 148mm

First Aid Supplies for Factories and Manufacturing Sites

Factories and manufacturing sites often need more than a basic first aid kit because workers may be exposed to machinery, sharp edges, heat, chemicals, moving vehicles, dust, noise and manual handling risks.

Useful factory first aid supplies may include:

• Fully Stocked First Aid Cabinet with BS8599-1 Medium Contents
• BS8599-1 Workplace First Aid Kit in Glow In The Dark Aura Box
• 500ml Eye Wash with Eye Cap
• Eye Wash Pod Station
• Large Premier Burns First Aid Kit
• Bleed Control First Aid Kit
• Black Nitrile Gloves Powder Free 100
• Safety Goggles Unvented E30
• First Aid Kit Inspection Tag

Product Pick: Fully Stocked First Aid Cabinet

First Aid Supplies for Warehouses and Logistics Sites

Warehouses and logistics sites may need first aid kits near loading bays, picking areas, offices, yards, packing stations and forklift routes. These workplaces often have manual handling risks, vehicle movement, slips, trips, sharp packaging and pallet injuries.

Warehouse first aid supplies may include:

• BS8599-1 Medium Workplace Kit
• HSE 1-10 Person First Aid Kit Refill
• Instant Ice Pack Mini
• Instant Relief Ice Pack
• 500ml Eye Wash with Eye Cap
• Bleed Control First Aid Kit
• First Aid Kit Inspection Tag
• First Aid Sign 210 x 148mm

First Aid Supplies for Construction and Trade Workplaces

Construction and trade environments often need tougher first aid equipment because work activities may involve tools, sharp materials, falls, dust, cement, vehicles, outdoor work and changing site conditions.

A construction work first aid kit may need to be portable, weather-resistant and easy to carry around the site. Depending on the risk assessment, construction sites may also need eye wash, trauma dressings, burns products, PPE and clear first aid signs.

Useful construction first aid supplies include:

• HSE First Aid Bum Bag 41 Piece
• HSE 1 Person First Aid Kit Lone Worker Travel
• Vehicle First Aid Kit
• 500ml Eye Wash with Eye Cap
• Bleed Control First Aid Kit
• TraumaFix Bleed Control Kit Pro
• Large Premier Burns First Aid Kit
• Safety Goggles Unvented E30
• Safety Helmet

First Aid Supplies for Catering and Food Workplaces

Catering, hospitality and food production workplaces often need first aid supplies that support hygiene, food safety and common kitchen injuries. Burns, cuts, slips and cleaning chemical exposure should be considered when choosing first aid kit contents.

Useful catering first aid supplies include:

• HSE 10 Person Catering First Aid Kit
• BSI Catering First Aid Kit
• Blue Detectable Plasters Assorted 100
• Dependaplast Blue Detectable Plasters
• Large Premier Burns First Aid Kit
• BurnSoothe Gel 125ml
• Polythene Aprons 100
• Body Fluid Spill Clean-Up Kit Single Application

Product Pick: Large Premier Burns First Aid Kit

First Aid Supplies for Schools and Public-Facing Sites

Where a workplace includes pupils, visitors, customers, service users or members of the public, employers and site managers should consider whether additional first aid equipment is needed. HSE strongly recommends including non-employees in the assessment of first aid needs.

Useful supplies may include:

• Paediatric School First Aid Kit
• School Trip First Aid Kit
• School Outing Kit in Grab Bag
• Children’s First Aid Kit
• Instant Ice Pack Mini
• Body Fluid Spill Clean-Up Kit Single Application
• School Accident Book Duplicate
• Pupil Accident Book
• First Aid Sign 210 x 148mm

Additional Items to Consider Beyond the Basic First Aid Kit

A basic workplace first aid kit may not cover every risk. Depending on the specific workplace, additional items may be needed to meet workplace safety requirements and support appropriate first aid provision.

Additional items may include:

• 500ml Eye Wash with Eye Cap
• Eye Wash Pod Kit
• Compact Eye Wash Pod Station
• Large Premier Burns First Aid Kit
• Mini Burns Kit Refill
• Bleed Control First Aid Kit
• BS8599-1:2019 Critical Injury First Aid Pack
• Polycarbonate Outdoor AED Cabinet
• Defibrillator AED Inspection Tag
• Body Fluid Spill Clean-Up Kit Single Application
• Black Nitrile Gloves Powder Free 100
• First Aid Medical Wall Cabinet Large Empty
• Fully Stocked First Aid Cabinet
• First Aid Kit Inspection Tag

Product Pick: Eye Wash 500ml with Eye Cap

First Aid Boxes, Cabinets and Storage

A first aid box or cabinet should be clean, clearly marked and easy to access. The first aid kit is available only if people can find it quickly, so storage matters as much as the contents.

Good storage points include:

• Reception or office entrance
• First aid room or medical room
• Warehouse loading bay
• Factory production area
• Workshop entrance
• Site office or welfare unit
• Kitchen or catering area
• School office or sports area
• Company vehicles and mobile worker kits

For larger workplaces, consider Fully Stocked First Aid Cabinet with BS8599-1 Medium Contents, First Aid Medical Wall Cabinet Large Empty, AuraPoint Workplace First Aid Station, Evolution First Aid Station Large and First Aid Sign 210 x 148mm.

First Aiders, Appointed Persons and First Aid Arrangements

First aid supplies are only one part of first aid at work. Employers also need suitable first aid arrangements, which may include appointed persons, trained first aiders and information for employees.

A first aider is someone trained to give first aid. A trained first aider may be needed depending on the outcome of your first aid needs assessment. Lower-risk workplaces may only need an appointed person, while higher-risk sites may need multiple trained first aiders across shifts or departments.

Good first aid arrangements should answer:

• Who is responsible for first aid?
• Where are the first aid kits kept?
• Who checks kit contents and expired items?
• Who calls emergency services?
• Who records incidents?
• Who covers absences, holidays and different shifts?

How Often Should First Aid Kits Be Checked?

First aid kits should be checked regularly to make sure supplies are present, sealed, clean and in date. A well-stocked first aid kit is only useful if it is ready to use when someone is injured or becomes ill at work.

Check for:

• Used or missing items
• Expired items
• Damaged packaging
• Dirty or contaminated contents
• Missing gloves or dressings
• Empty eye wash bottles
• Out-of-date burns products
• Accident book availability
• Clear first aid signs

For busy workplaces, kit checks may need to happen more often. Use the HSE 1-10 Person First Aid Kit Refill, First Aid Kit Inspection Tag and General Inspection Tag to support regular checks and restocking.

Product Pick: Body Fluid Spill Clean-Up Kit

Common Workplace First Aid Buying Mistakes

Many employers buy first aid kits once and forget about them. This can lead to missing dressings, expired items, poor signage or not enough supplies for the number of employees.

Common mistakes include:

• Buying a basic first aid kit without completing a first aid needs assessment
• Not buying enough first aid kits for the workplace layout
• Not considering members of the public or visitors
• Forgetting mobile workers and vehicles
• Using expired items
• Not adding eye wash where there is an eye injury risk
• Not adding burns supplies for kitchens, workshops or hot work
• Not adding bleed control where severe injury is possible
• Not putting signs near first aid points
• Not appointing someone to oversee first aid supplies

Recommended Workplace First Aid Supplies From Jax First Aid

Jax First Aid supplies first aid kits, refills, workplace first aid equipment, PPE, eye wash, burns supplies, trauma kits, cabinets, signs and accident books for UK businesses.

Final Thoughts: Choose the Right First Aid Kit for Your Workplace

Choosing the right workplace first aid kit is not about copying another business. It is about understanding your workplace, completing a first aid needs assessment and making sure the right first aid equipment is available when needed.

Every workplace should have adequate first aid provisions, but the size and contents will depend on your specific workplace. A small office may need a basic first aid kit, while a factory, school, warehouse, construction site or catering business may need additional items such as eye wash, burns supplies, bleed control kits, PPE and signage.

Jax First Aid supplies workplace first aid kits, first aid kit refills, eye wash, burns supplies, bleed control kits, nitrile gloves, first aid signage and accident books for UK businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in a first aid kit at work?

The contents of a first aid kit at work should be based on your first aid needs assessment. A basic first aid kit may include plasters, sterile dressings, bandages, gloves, wipes and a guidance leaflet, while higher-risk workplaces may need additional items such as eye wash, burns supplies or trauma dressings.

Is there a mandatory list of items for workplace first aid kits?

No. There is no single mandatory list of items that every workplace first aid kit must contain. Employers should choose first aid kit contents based on the first aid needs assessment and specific workplace risks.

Does every workplace need a first aid kit?

Every employer must make adequate and appropriate first aid provision. In practice, this normally means having suitable first aid equipment available, such as at least one suitably stocked first aid kit, plus appropriate first aid arrangements for the workplace.

What is a first aid needs assessment?

A first aid needs assessment helps employers decide what first aid equipment, facilities and personnel are required. It considers hazards, work activities, number of employees, site layout, visitors, shift patterns and other workplace-specific factors.

Do workplace first aid kits have to meet BS 8599?

No. By law, a first aid kit does not have to meet BS 8599. However, BS8599-1 kits are a useful starting point for many employers, provided the contents match the outcome of the first aid needs assessment.

How many first aid kits does a workplace need?

The number of first aid kits depends on the workplace size, layout, hazards, number of employees, shift patterns and access needs. A small office may need one kit, while larger sites may need several kits in different areas.

How often should workplace first aid kits be checked?

Workplace first aid kits should be checked regularly to make sure all items are present, sealed, clean and in date. Expired items and used supplies should be replaced as soon as possible.

Can medicines be kept in a workplace first aid box?

HSE recommends that tablets and medicines should not be kept in the first aid box. Workplace first aid kits should contain suitable first aid supplies rather than general medicines.

Can Jax First Aid supply workplace first aid kits in bulk?

Yes. Jax First Aid supplies workplace first aid kits, first aid kit refills, eye wash, burns supplies, trauma kits, gloves, cabinets, signage and accident books for UK businesses, schools, construction sites, warehouses, factories and public-facing organisations.