Workplace first aid kit buying guide

Choosing the right workplace first aid kit starts with a first aid needs assessment. This should reflect the hazards in your workplace, the environment people work in, and the number of employees on site. If members of the public regularly visit your premises, they should also be included as part of your duty of care.

A well-planned first aid kit ensures you can respond quickly to injuries and remain compliant with workplace first aid expectations.

What should a basic workplace first aid kit contain?

While every workplace is different, a basic kit will usually include:

  • Plasters for minor cuts and grazes
  • Sterile wound dressings to apply pressure and control bleeding
  • Bandages to secure dressings, support joints and reduce swelling
  • Scissors to cut dressings, tape or clothing if needed
  • Disposable gloves to reduce the risk of cross-infection
  • Face shields or pocket masks for safe rescue breaths
  • Alcohol-free cleansing wipes to clean skin around a wound
  • Adhesive tape to secure dressings or bandages
  • Foil blankets to help retain body heat and prevent shock

Your kit should be easy to access, clearly marked and checked regularly to replace used or out-of-date items.

Not sure what your workplace needs?

A first aid requirements calculator can help estimate how many first aiders and kits you may need. However, calculators are guidance only and do not replace a full workplace first aid needs assessment.

Choosing the right workplace first aid kit

The correct kit depends on:

  • The level of risk (e.g. low-risk offices vs higher-risk warehouses or workshops)
  • The number of people the kit needs to support
  • The type of work being carried out

Some environments require specialist kits. For example, catering settings should use kits with blue detectable plasters and tape, making them easy to spot in food preparation areas.

British Standard BS 8599-1 explained

We recommend workplace first aid kits that conform to British Standard BS 8599-1. This standard was updated in January 2019 to reflect modern workplace risks and first aid practice.

What changed in BS 8599-1:2019?

Introduction of two additional kits:

  • Personal Issue Kit – small kits issued to individual workers
  • PAcT Kit – designed for catastrophic bleeding and severe trauma
  • Updates to kit contents:
  • Safety pins removed
  • More adhesive tape included in medium and large kits
  • Fewer medium dressings and more large dressings
  • The travel kit was renamed Travel and Motoring Kit and aligned with BS 8599-2 for vehicles

Conforming to British Standards is not a legal requirement, but it is widely recognised as best practice.

Motor vehicle first aid kits

Having a first aid kit in vehicles can be vital during road traffic incidents or for managing minor injuries while travelling.

The British Standard BS 8599-2:2014 sets out requirements for motor vehicle first aid kits based on passenger numbers:

  • Small motorist kit – for vehicles carrying 1–3 passengers (e.g. motorcycles, quad bikes)
  • Medium motorist kit – for cars, taxis and commercial vehicles carrying 1–8 passengers
  • Vehicles carrying more than eight passengers, such as minibuses or coaches, will require more than one kit.

We recommend vehicle kits that conform to BS 8599-2:2014 to ensure appropriate first aid provision on the road.

Need help getting it right?

At Med Learn Training, we support organisations with first aid needs assessments, compliant kit selection, and regulated first aid training. If you’re unsure where to start, we’ll help you put the right provision in place, practical, proportionate and compliant.