If you manufacture, supply, or specify first aid kits for the workplace, then you'll need to know what contents should be included.

Until now, there have been few guidelines on what a first aid kit should contain. And what guidelines do exist, are out of date. So, in an emergency, businesses can find their kits lack the essentials, or include outdated and inadequate components. And some kits currently in use are full of waste components that first aiders can't use. Often, kits don’t contain enough wipes, plasters, or sacks in which to dispose of dressings.

As a result, employers might have to buy additional supplies to supplement their kit.

If you were able to make kits that perfectly fit your customers’ needs, you could sell more.

If employers can buy kits with all the correct components, they won't have to purchase additional first aid supplies, which could reduce spending.

To help with this, standard BS 8599-1 was developed.

What is Standard BS 8599-1?

BS 8599-1 Workplace first aid kits. Specification for the contents of workplace first aid kits is the standard that sets the minimum level that first aid kits should conform to.

Standard BS 8599-1 was written so that manufacturers of kits and anyone that assembles workplace first aid kits is producing them to the specific minimum requirements. It recommends the correct number of plasters etc for small, medium, large or travel-size kits and recommends how many kits are needed depending on the size of the organization.

Conformity to the standard will mean that anyone using the kit, and patients, are protected from inferior first aid materials. Compliance with this standard demonstrates that your kits are a better product and enable customers to better meet their health and safety obligations under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines.

So, the standard should be implemented by manufacturers and users of first aid kits.

Why Should You Use This Standard?

It details the components required in small, medium, large, travel, and personal issue first aid kits and critical injury packs for use in workplace environments. It also gives requirements for the container holding the components.

The standard contains two key tables: one covering what should be contained in a workplace first aid kit and one providing information on the appropriate size of the first aid kit for the workplace environment.

Such kits encourage those responsible for first aid kits to build a comprehensive kit for common workplace first aid requirements. These promote employer and employee safety and help first aiders and emergency responders provide treatment advice based on available resources.

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 undertaking or workplace environment, such as the use of hydrofluoric acid, workplace first aid kits should be supplemented with additional, appropriate components.

Requirements are also given concerning marking and information to be supplied by manufacturers.

The standard also supports the requirement for all employers to have first aid kits in the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 – although this standard’s use is not mandatory.

To read our article on ‘Health and Safety Management for Hospitals and Healthcare’, click here.

Who Should Use This Standard?

BS 8599-1 is intended for use by:

• Buyers of first aid kits

• Manufacturer's first aid of kits

• Anyone compiling the contents of a first aid kit

• Procurers of kits for employers

BS 8599-1 and over 100,000 more internationally recognized standards are available for simple and flexible access with a BSI Knowledge subscription. Our subscription service puts the control in your hands, giving you instant access to the resources you need to improve the safety of your people. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our GBM05 Sciences & Health Care module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.

Ensure your workplace first aid kit is fit for purpose by adding standard BS 8599-1 to your collection today.