Understanding workplace first aid kit requirements is an important part of an employer’s first aid arrangements. Every workplace needs adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, but there is not one compulsory first aid kit that is suitable for every UK business.

An office with a small team has very different risks from a construction site, engineering workshop, warehouse or organisation with employees working remotely.

This is why employers should choose their first aid equipment based on a first aid needs assessment, rather than simply buying a kit based on the number of employees.

In this guide, we look at workplace first aid kit requirements in the UK, what the Health and Safety Executive recommends, how BS 8599 fits into workplace provision and when additional equipment may be appropriate.

Are Workplace First Aid Kits a Legal Requirement?

Employers have a legal responsibility to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel so employees can receive immediate attention if they are injured or become ill at work.

These responsibilities come from the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

However, the law does not provide a single compulsory list of items that every employer must put into a first aid box.

Instead, the equipment you provide should reflect the circumstances and risks within your workplace.

Even a small, low-hazard workplace should have suitable first aid arrangements.

You can read more about the wider responsibilities in our guide to the legal requirement for first aid at work.

Workplace First Aid Kit Requirements Start With a Needs Assessment

Before deciding what equipment to buy, employers should carry out a first aid needs assessment.

This considers factors such as:

the nature of the work
workplace hazards and risks
the size of the organisation
the number of employees
previous accidents and incidents
working patterns and shifts
the layout and size of the premises
employees working in different buildings or locations
lone and remote workers
employees who travel as part of their work
how far the workplace is from emergency medical services
members of the public who may be present
employees with particular first aid requirements

The findings help determine not only your workplace first aid kit requirements, but also the number and type of trained first aiders, where equipment should be positioned and whether additional facilities or specialist equipment are needed.

Two businesses employing exactly the same number of people can therefore require very different first aid arrangements.

What Should Be in a Workplace First Aid Kit?

The Health and Safety Executive states that there is no mandatory list of items that must be included in every workplace first aid kit.

For workplaces involving low-level hazards, however, HSE provides a suggested minimum stock.

This includes:

a leaflet providing general first aid guidance
20 individually wrapped sterile plasters in assorted sizes
two sterile eye pads
two individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile
six safety pins
two large sterile, individually wrapped, unmedicated wound dressings
six medium sterile, individually wrapped, unmedicated wound dressings
at least three pairs of disposable gloves

This is guidance for a low-hazard workplace, not a universal legal checklist.

Your first aid needs assessment may identify that you need more equipment, different equipment or multiple first aid kits.

Are HSE First Aid Kit Contents Mandatory?

No.

This is an important distinction because first aid kit lists are sometimes presented online as though every UK employer is legally required to have exactly the same items and quantities.

That is not the case.

HSE’s suggested contents provide a useful starting point for a low-hazard workplace.

Your actual provision should be adequate and appropriate for your workplace.

For example, a small office may have relatively straightforward requirements.

A manufacturing business where employees use machinery, a kitchen where burns are foreseeable, or an organisation carrying out work in remote locations may require additional provision.

The Health and Safety Executive’s first aid at work guidance should be the starting point for employers reviewing their arrangements.

What Is BS 8599?

BS 8599 is a British Standard relating to first aid kits and workplace first aid provision.

It provides a recognised framework that employers can use when selecting first aid kits.

However, buying a BS 8599 kit is not itself a legal requirement under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

HSE specifically states that employers may wish to refer to BS 8599 when deciding what to put in their first aid kits.

Whether you choose a kit conforming to the British Standard or another suitable first aid kit, the contents should still reflect your first aid needs assessment.

In other words, buying a box marked BS 8599 does not remove the employer’s responsibility to assess what the workplace actually needs.

Have the BS 8599 Workplace First Aid Standards Changed?

Yes. The British Standard has continued to develop, including an amendment published in 2026.

The important principle for employers remains that first aid provision should be risk based.

That fits with the approach employers should already be taking through their first aid needs assessment.

Rather than viewing a first aid kit as a box that simply needs to be purchased to satisfy a rule, employers should consider what could realistically happen within their workplace and whether the equipment, people and emergency arrangements they have in place are appropriate.

Choosing a Workplace First Aid Kit

Once you have considered your first aid needs, you can choose a kit that provides an appropriate starting point.

Ready-made workplace kits are available in different sizes and formats.

When comparing them, consider:

the contents rather than simply the size of the box
the risks identified in your needs assessment
how many people the kit needs to support
whether you need more than one kit
where each kit will be positioned
whether employees work away from the main premises
how easily supplies can be replenished
whether additional specialist equipment is required

Jax First Aid stocks a range of workplace first aid kits, including HSE-style kits and kits designed around BS 8599.

Use your first aid needs assessment to decide which size and type is appropriate rather than choosing a kit purely according to price or employee numbers.

Affiliate disclosure: If you purchase through the Jax First Aid link above, First Aid and Safety Training may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only include affiliate links where we believe the supplier or product range is genuinely relevant to the information being discussed.

Does a Small Office Need a Workplace First Aid Kit?

Yes.

A low-risk office still needs appropriate first aid provision.

The requirements may be relatively simple compared with a higher-risk workplace, but accidents and sudden illness can still occur.

Typical incidents might include:

minor cuts
slips, trips and falls
burns or scalds
sudden illness
choking
cardiac arrest

The first aid needs assessment should determine the appropriate equipment and personnel.

Do not assume that because a workplace is considered low risk, no first aid arrangements are necessary.

Do Higher-Risk Workplaces Need Different First Aid Equipment?

Potentially, yes.

A workplace involving significant hazards may require additional equipment beyond the suggested minimum contents for a low-hazard workplace.

Examples could include environments involving:

machinery
sharp tools
construction work
significant burn risks
chemicals
forestry or agricultural work
remote locations
higher risk of serious bleeding
specialist work activities

The equipment should reflect the injuries and emergencies that can reasonably be anticipated.

Additional provision might include specialist burns equipment, eyewash arrangements or equipment for managing life-threatening bleeding where the needs assessment identifies a relevant risk.

Simply adding specialist equipment is not enough.

People who may need to use it should also have appropriate knowledge and training.

What About Catastrophic Bleeding Equipment?

Some workplaces may identify a significant risk of life-threatening bleeding.

Depending on the hazards present, additional bleeding-control equipment could include:

trauma dressings
haemostatic dressings
equipment suitable for wound packing
tourniquets

These should not automatically be added to every workplace first aid kit.

Their provision should be based on the first aid needs assessment and the foreseeable risks within the workplace.

Where specialist equipment is provided, appropriate training is important so that potential users understand when and how to use it.

Our workplace first aid courses can incorporate practical discussion and training around severe and catastrophic bleeding where appropriate.

Does a Workplace First Aid Kit Need Eyewash?

Not necessarily.

Your needs assessment should determine whether dedicated eyewash provision is required.

Where mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, appropriate sterile water or sterile normal saline in sealed disposable containers may be required.

Workplaces involving chemicals or other specific eye hazards may require more extensive emergency arrangements.

Always consider the relevant substance, activity and workplace risk assessment rather than assuming that a small bottle of eyewash inside a standard first aid kit is sufficient for every eye emergency.

Should Medicines Be Kept in a Workplace First Aid Kit?

As a general rule, tablets and medicines should not be kept in the workplace first aid box for general first aid use.

HSE recommends that tablets and medicines are not kept in the first aid box.

This does not mean employees cannot bring or use their own prescribed or personal medication.

Organisations may need separate procedures for storing or supporting the use of medication depending on the workplace and the people involved.

Medication arrangements should not simply be treated as another item on the first aid kit checklist.

What First Aid Kit Do Lone Workers Need?

Lone and travelling workers should be considered as part of the employer’s first aid needs assessment.

Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate to provide a personal or travelling first aid kit.

HSE provides a suggested contents list for travelling workers, which can include:

first aid guidance
individually wrapped sterile plasters
triangular bandages
safety pins
a large sterile unmedicated dressing
individually wrapped cleansing wipes
disposable gloves

Again, this is suggested guidance rather than a mandatory universal list.

The risks faced by the employee should determine what is actually provided.

A worker driving between offices has very different needs from someone working alone outdoors in a remote location.

How Many Workplace First Aid Kits Do You Need?

There is no simple answer based solely on employee numbers.

A first aid needs assessment should consider whether people can get appropriate equipment quickly when an incident occurs.

A large workplace may require several kits.

Additional kits might be sensible where:

employees work across several floors
there are separate buildings
departments are spread over a large site
particular areas have higher risks
employees regularly work away from the main premises
access between areas can be restricted
shift patterns mean different parts of the workplace operate independently

A first aid kit locked in an office at the opposite end of a large site is of little use during an emergency.

Accessibility matters.

Workplace First Aid Kit Requirements What Should Be Included — #image_title

Where Should Workplace First Aid Kits Be Kept?

First aid equipment should be easily accessible when it is needed.

Kits should normally be positioned in clearly identified locations that employees know about.

Depending on the workplace, this might include:

reception areas
offices
workshops
kitchens
warehouses
production areas
company vehicles
remote working locations

First aid signs can help employees and visitors identify where equipment is kept.

Staff should also know how to contact the workplace first aider or appointed person.

First aid arrangements should form part of normal workplace information rather than something employees discover only after an accident.

Who Is Responsible for Checking the Workplace First Aid Kit?

Someone should be given responsibility for checking first aid equipment.

This may be an appointed person, first aider or another nominated employee depending on the organisation’s arrangements.

Checks should look for:

items that have been used
damaged packaging
expired products
opened sterile products
insufficient quantities
missing equipment
damaged containers
equipment that is no longer appropriate for the workplace

Used items should be replaced promptly.

Do not wait for a scheduled annual inspection if supplies have already been used.

Keeping a simple inspection record can also help businesses demonstrate that checks are being carried out consistently.

How Often Should a Workplace First Aid Kit Be Checked?

There is no benefit in having a comprehensive first aid kit if half of its contents are missing or out of date when an emergency occurs.

The appropriate inspection frequency will depend on the workplace and how frequently supplies are used.

A sensible system includes:

checking after the kit has been used
regular scheduled inspections
monitoring expiry dates
replenishing stock promptly
reviewing the kit following significant workplace changes

Higher-use environments may require more frequent checks than a small office.

The wider first aid needs assessment should also be reviewed periodically and whenever circumstances change.

Do You Need a First Aid Kit in Company Vehicles?

Possibly.

There is not a universal rule requiring every company vehicle to carry the same first aid kit.

However, employees who travel or work away from a fixed workplace should be considered within the first aid needs assessment.

The employer should consider factors such as:

how much time employees spend travelling
whether they work alone
the locations they visit
how far they may be from immediate assistance
the work they perform after leaving the vehicle
foreseeable injuries and emergencies

A travelling or vehicle kit may therefore form an appropriate part of the organisation’s first aid arrangements.

Does a Workplace Need an AED as Well as a First Aid Kit?

An Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, serves a different purpose from a conventional first aid kit.

An AED is used when somebody is in cardiac arrest.

Employers should consider access to defibrillation as part of their wider emergency and first aid arrangements, taking account of their workplace, workforce, risks and access to existing AED provision.

Where an AED is provided, employees should know:

where it is located
how to access it
that anyone can use an AED
how to summon emergency medical help

AEDs provide spoken or visual instructions to guide the user through the process.

First aid training gives employees an opportunity to practise CPR and AED use so they are better prepared to act during a real cardiac arrest.

A First Aid Kit Does Not Make a Workplace Compliant

This is perhaps the most important point about workplace first aid kit requirements.

Buying a first aid kit does not, by itself, fulfil an employer’s first aid responsibilities.

Effective workplace first aid provision involves considering:

suitable equipment
appropriate facilities
trained first aiders or appointed persons
employee numbers
workplace hazards
working patterns
lone and remote workers
access to emergency services
communication of first aid arrangements
regular review

The first aid kit is one part of that system.

Workplace First Aid Kit Requirements and First Aid Training

Your first aid needs assessment should also help determine the level of first aid training required.

Depending on the workplace, this may include Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW), the more comprehensive First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification or other training appropriate to the risks identified.

Our Emergency First Aid at Work course is designed for workplaces where the first aid needs assessment identifies this level of training as appropriate.

For workplaces requiring broader first aid provision, our First Aid at Work course covers a wider range of injuries and medical emergencies.

Businesses can also arrange onsite first aid training across the North East, allowing employees to train together and discuss first aid in the context of their own workplace.

If you are unsure which qualification is appropriate, contact First Aid and Safety Training and we can discuss your requirements.

You can also view our South Shields training location and customer reviews on Google.

Final Checklist for Workplace First Aid Kit Requirements

When reviewing your workplace first aid kit requirements, ask:

Have we completed a first aid needs assessment?
Does our equipment reflect the hazards identified?
Do we have enough first aid kits for the size and layout of the workplace?
Can employees access them quickly?
Have lone, travelling and remote workers been considered?
Do higher-risk activities require additional equipment?
Are our first aid supplies regularly checked and replenished?
Do employees know where the equipment is?
Do employees know who the first aiders or appointed persons are?
Is the level of first aid training appropriate for our workplace?
Have we reviewed our arrangements following changes to staff, premises or working practices?