Ensuring appropriate first aid provision is a legal responsibility for all UK employers. Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, organisations must provide equipment, facilities, and trained personnel so employees can receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. A compliant workplace first aid kit forms a key part of this requirement.
However, there is no universal list of what a first aid kit must contain. Every workplace has different risks, levels of staff exposure, and operational needs. A small administrative office will not have the same requirements as a busy warehouse, construction site, or catering environment. The starting point is always an employer’s duty to assess the risks and ensure that provisions are both adequate and appropriate.
As a trusted partner in workplace compliance, Kingfisher provides expert guidance, risk assessments, and training to help employers meet their first aid obligations with confidence.
What the Law Requires from Employers
Overview of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 place a clear duty on employers to ensure that their workplace has suitable first aid arrangements. This includes providing appropriate equipment, facilities, and trained personnel so that anyone who suffers an injury or illness at work receives immediate attention.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not set out a mandatory list of items that all employers must provide. Instead, the law requires a needs-based approach, recognising that workplaces vary significantly in risk and size. Employers must determine the level of first aid provision necessary to protect their employees effectively.
Even low-risk workplaces, such as offices, must provide at least a basic first aid kit and ensure staff know where it is located. Higher-risk environments will require additional equipment and possibly more extensive training.
The Concept of a “First Aid Needs Assessment”
A first aid needs assessment is the legal and practical foundation of workplace first aid provision. It enables employers to identify what equipment, personnel, and facilities are required to deal with potential injuries or illnesses.
Key factors to consider include:
- Number of employees: Larger workforces require more extensive provision.
- Nature of work: Machinery, chemicals, lone working, and manual handling increase risk.
- Workplace hazards: Cuts, burns, eye injuries, falls, and exposure to harmful substances may be more likely in certain environments.
- Accident history: Past incidents provide insight into recurring or foreseeable risks.
- Work patterns: Shift work, overnight operations, and scattered teams influence kit placement.
- Lone and remote workers: They may require mobile or personal first aid kits.
The needs assessment should be documented, reviewed regularly, and updated after any significant change in the workplace.
What Should Be in a First Aid Kit?
HSE’s Recommended Minimum Contents
While the law does not prescribe exact contents, the HSE offers guidance on what a basic, low-risk workplace first aid kit should include. These items support the treatment of minor injuries and provide essential supplies for immediate response.
Typical minimum contents include:
- Assorted waterproof plasters
- Individually wrapped sterile dressings
- Triangular bandage
- Safety pins
- Disposable gloves
- Sterile wound dressings
- Cleansing wipes
- Adhesive tape
- Scissors
- A guidance leaflet on basic first aid
These items align with the HSE’s first aid kit checklist and provide an essential baseline for workplace readiness.
Additional Items for Higher-Risk Environments
Higher-risk workplaces may require extra equipment to address more serious injuries. Examples include environments involving heat, chemicals, heavy machinery, or commercial kitchens.
Additional contents may include:
- Burns dressings and gel
- Sterile eyewash or eye irrigation pods
- Trauma dressings
- Foil blankets
- Tourniquets
- Resuscitation face shields
- Conforming bandages and larger absorbent dressings
For example, a construction business may require trauma pads and tourniquets, while a catering environment may benefit from burns kits and blue detectable plasters.
First Aid Kits for Different Settings
Different workplaces require different approaches:
- Office environments: Basic kits suitable for minor cuts, slips, and falls.
- Warehouses: Larger kits with additional dressings and items for manual handling injuries.
- Construction sites: Trauma dressings, foil blankets, and high-capacity kits.
- Remote workers: Portable or vehicle-based kits that can be easily accessed while travelling.
A tailored approach ensures that first aid resources match real-world needs.
How Many First Aid Kits Do You Need?
Employers must ensure that first aid kits are available in sufficient quantities and placed strategically throughout the workplace. The right number depends on several factors, including total employee count, site layout, and how widely staff move between locations.
Larger premises or multi-floor buildings often require more than one kit so employees can reach equipment without delay. Employers with mobile teams or field-based roles should provide vehicle first aid kits or portable kits carried by lone workers.
All kits must be clearly marked, consistently stocked, and easily accessible at all times.
Maintenance and Monitoring: Keeping Kits Up to Date
Regular Checks and Record Keeping
Maintaining a first aid kit is an ongoing responsibility. Employers should appoint a responsible person or team to perform regular checks to ensure the kit remains complete and compliant.
Best practice includes:
- Conducting frequent inspections using a checklist.
- Keeping a record of checks, restocking dates, and any items replaced.
- Removing expired, damaged, or used items promptly to maintain readiness.
- Ensuring the kit and its contents remain clean, dry, and undamaged.
Good record keeping supports both legal compliance and operational efficiency.
Storage and Accessibility
First aid kits must be stored correctly to ensure they are ready for immediate use.
Employers should ensure that kits are:
- Kept in a clean, dry location
- Easily visible and reachable
- Clearly marked with appropriate signage
- Communicated to staff as part of induction and safety training
A well-positioned and accessible kit supports rapid response and reduces the risk of delays.
Common Mistakes Employers Make
Several recurring issues can undermine workplace first aid provision, even when intentions are good.
Common mistakes include:
- Relying on outdated kit contents that no longer meet workplace needs.
- Having only one central first aid kit in a large or multi-level workplace.
- Failing to update first aid arrangements after risk assessments or operational changes.
- Not appointing trained personnel or neglecting refresher training.
- Assuming that a shop-bought kit automatically meets legal requirements without a needs assessment.
Avoiding these errors strengthens compliance and ensures staff receive appropriate support when needed.
Step-by-Step: How to Conduct a First Aid Needs Assessment
Conducting a structured needs assessment helps employers identify the right equipment, people, and processes required to protect their workforce effectively.
A step-by-step approach includes:
- Review workplace hazards: Consider machinery, chemicals, heat sources, manual handling, and other risks.
- Assess job types and roles: Different tasks may expose staff to different injury types.
- Review workforce size: Larger staff numbers require increased provision.
- Consider work patterns: Account for shift workers, night teams, and staff working across multiple sites.
- Check accident history: Past incidents can highlight ongoing risks.
- Include lone and remote workers: Ensure they have access to portable kits.
- Consider visitors and customers: Public-facing environments may require additional equipment.
- Determine appropriate numbers of first aid kits and trained personnel.
- Document conclusions and ensure they are accessible to management and safety teams.
- Review the assessment annually or after significant workplace changes.
A downloadable checklist can support ongoing reviews and help employers demonstrate compliance.
How Kingfisher Professional Services Can Help
We assist organisations in meeting their first aid obligations by offering clear, expert guidance and practical support. While employers remain responsible for completing their own first aid needs assessments, we help them understand what a suitable and sufficient assessment must include. Our services include:
- Expert advice on conducting compliant first aid needs assessments in line with HSE expectations.
- Guidance and oversight to help managers identify appropriate first aid kit contents and determine the right level of provision for their workplace.
- Support developing first aid policies, procedures, and arrangements that reflect organisational risks, staffing structures, and operational requirements.
- Practical advice on kit placement, accessibility, maintenance protocols, and communication of first aid arrangements to staff.
- Ongoing consultancy support for reviewing existing provisions, updating documentation, and ensuring compliance is maintained as business needs evolve.
Our consultants combine practical HR and safety expertise with strong knowledge of UK health and safety law. By partnering with Kingfisher, employers can strengthen compliance, improve workplace safety, and maintain confidence that their first aid provisions are being managed appropriately.
Conclusion
A compliant and well-maintained first aid kit is essential for protecting employees and meeting legal duties under UK health and safety regulations. By conducting a structured needs assessment, maintaining appropriate equipment, and ensuring accessibility, employers can create a safer workplace and demonstrate their commitment to staff welfare.
Proactive planning, regular monitoring, and effective training all contribute to a strong safety culture. Employers seeking additional support can rely on Kingfisher’s expertise to ensure their workplace remains compliant, prepared, and protected.