First Aid Kits – what contents do I need?
First aid kits must (by law) be accessible to workers whenever they work, which means that they have to have the right contents in them for your workplace risk profile.
What should be in my kit?
First aid kits should contain basic first aid equipment to treat cuts, punctures, grazes, sprains, minor burns, amputations or major bleeding wounds, broken bones, eye injuries and shock.
A risk assessment of your workplace will help stock your kit with additional items such as additional eye pads.
Remember that single use items are just that – don’t re-use them!
What SHOULDN’T be in my kit?
Medication of any kind is prohibited by law from being stored in first aid kits. This includes paracetamol, ibuprofen or any over or under the counter medicines. Asthma reliever puffers are able to be kept in kits as long as the first aid officer has completed the asthma first aid module.
Inspecting and Re-stocking
Kits should be inspected regularly to ensure the contents are correct and there are no contamination risks. Liquids have a short shelf life and the expiry dates should be checked regularly. Expired items are to be replaced ASAP. Your first aid supplier may provide a restocking service for you.
Where should I put my first aid kit?
Kits should be kept in a prominent, accessible location and able to be retrieved easily. If there is an area of the workplace where injuries are more likely, then the kit should be located close by. Emergency evacuation diagrams are to include the location of the first aid kit as well as fire-fighting equipment.
Portable kits should be provided in work vehicles if the vehicle is a worker’s workplace.
First Aid signage is to be displayed where the kit is located.
Other first aid equipment
Automated external defibrillators, oxy-vivas, spine boards and emergency eye wash / shower equipment may be provided in your workplace. First aid officers are to be trained in the use of this equipment. Defibrillators can be used by trained or untrained persons and can reduce the risk of fatality from cardiac arrest.
Standard precaution equipment
Gloves, resuscitation masks, hand sanitiser and disposal bags for contaminated items should be a part of all first aid kits. All first aid personnel MUST protect their own health when providing first aid to others.
Contents lists for standard workplace kits and portable kits:
Standard workplace kits
| First aid instructions | Adhesive strips (bandaids) |
| Splinter probes | Non-allergenic adhesive tape |
| Eye pads | Triangular bandage |
| Conforming bandage | Wound dressings |
| Safety pins | Gauze squares |
| Tweezers | Scissors |
| Sterile saline solution | Antiseptic solution |
| Re-usable ice pack | Notepad and pen |
| Disposable gloves | Resuscitation mask |
| Plastic bags (for disposal) | Sharps disposal container |
| Kidney dish | Hand sanitiser |
First aid
| First aid instructions | Adhesive strips (bandaids) |
| Splinter probes | Non-allergenic adhesive tape |
| Eye pads | Triangular bandage |
| Conforming bandage | Wound dressings |
| Safety pins | Gauze squares |
| Tweezers | Scissors |
| Sterile saline solution | Antiseptic solution |
| Disposable gloves | Notepad and pen |
| Plastic bags (for disposal) | Resuscitation mask |
For burn injury risks, add:
| Burn treatment instructions | Hydro gel |
| Hydro gel dressings | 7.5cm cotton conforming bandage |
| Clean polythene sheets |
For outdoor work risks (insect, plant, snake bites), add:
| Heavy duty crepe bandages | Sting relief cream, gel or spray |
| Thermal / emergency blanket | Torch |
Note: appropriate first aid kit contents will vary depending on the risks of your workplace
Design of kit
The kit must:
Be made of material that protects the contents from dust, moisture or contamination;
Be large enough to contain all the required contents;
Be immediately identifiable with a white cross on a green background; and
Contain a list of the contents.
We recommend Survival First Aid Kits (link will open in a new page): Survival First Aid Kits
