Most South African employers know they need a first aid kit. Far fewer understand the important legal distinctions that determine which kit, how many, and what must be in it; distinctions that matter both for genuine compliance and, more importantly, for keeping people safe when something goes wrong.
This guide unpacks the legal requirements for workplace first aid kits under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS Act), clarifies the difference between a Regulation 3 and a Regulation 7 first aid kit, walks through the prescribed contents, and covers what your workplace needs to stay compliant and genuinely prepared.
There is a common source of confusion in the South African OHS compliance space: many employers and even some suppliers refer to first aid kit requirements as falling under “Regulation 7”, but the correct legislative reference for first aid provision in most South African workplaces is General Safety Regulation 3 under the OHS Act.
General Safety Regulation 3 stipulates the employer’s primary duty to ensure prompt first aid treatment, the requirement to provide a first aid box where more than five employees are employed, and the prescribed minimum contents of a compliant first aid kit.
So what is a “Regulation 7 first aid kit”? This is an industry-standard term used by OHS professionals and suppliers, not a formally defined legislative category. In practice, it refers to a first aid kit that includes the standard Regulation 3 contents plus additional items required to safely manage blood and body fluid spills. There is no separate formal “Regulation 7 first aid kit” prescribed in the OHS Act itself, but the term has become widely understood in the industry to describe this enhanced kit.
Under General Safety Regulation 3 of the OHS Act, South African employers have the following clearly defined obligations:
First aid kits must be provided where more than 5 employees work: Any workplace with more than five employees must provide at least one first aid kit, accessible at all times during working hours. “Accessible” means physically reachable and not locked away. A single kit locked in a manager’s office for a workforce spread across a large site does not meet this requirement.
The number of kits depends on your workplace: The OHS Act requires employers to consider the number of employees, the nature of the work, the size and layout of the premises, and the types of injuries likely to occur. A general rule of thumb used in the industry is one first aid kit per 50 employees, but high-risk or multi-floor environments will require more.
A certified First Aider must be appointed where more than 10 employees work: Where more than 10 employees are employed, the employer must appoint a designated First Aider. The prescribed ratios are:
The First Aider must hold a valid first aid certificate, renewed every three years, obtained from a HWSETA- or QCTO-accredited training provider. This is a legal requirement, not a voluntary role.
The first aid kit must be clearly marked and sign-posted: Regulation 3(6) requires employers to display a prominent notice or sign indicating where the first aid kit is kept and the name of the First Aider responsible for it. Signage must include a green cross with a directional arrow, and ideally the contact details of the designated First Aider.
The kit must be stocked to the prescribed minimum: The contents of the first aid kit are prescribed by the General Safety Regulations. These are the minimum requirements, your risk environment may require additional items beyond the standard list.
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Regulation 3 Kit |
“Regulation 7” Kit |
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Applicable environments |
Offices, retail shops, low-risk workplaces |
Manufacturing, engineering, construction, mining, healthcare, and other higher-risk environments |
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Contents |
Standard first aid supplies |
Standard first aid supplies plus body fluid/blood spill kit items |
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Office/shop quantity reduction |
Certain prescribed quantities may be halved |
Standard quantities apply |
If your employees could reasonably encounter lacerations, deep wounds, amputations, or significant body fluid exposure, a standard Regulation 3 kit is unlikely to be adequate for your risk environment. A “Regulation 7” kit, with its additional body fluid/blood spill management items, is the appropriate choice.
Absolute Health Services stocks both Regulation 3 and Regulation 7 first aid kits, available in nylon bags or steel boxes, ready to meet your compliance requirements.
The following is the minimum prescribed contents for a compliant South African workplace first aid kit under the General Safety Regulations. These are the items every first aid box must contain to be legally compliant.
Wound cleaner/antiseptic (100ml) – to clean and disinfect cuts, abrasions, and open wounds and prevent infection.
Gauze swabs for cleaning wounds × 25 – for cleaning wounds and applying controlled pressure to bleeding injuries.
Sterile gauze (minimum 10) – for covering wounds and creating a sterile environment for healing.
Cotton wool for padding (100g) – provides cushioning around injured areas, particularly under bandages and splints.
4 × first aid dressings No. 3 (75mm × 100mm) – sterile wound dressings for moderate injuries, applied directly to wounds to control bleeding.
4 × first aid dressings No. 5 (150mm × 200mm) – larger sterile dressings for more significant wounds.
1 × packet of adhesive dressing strips (minimum 10, assorted sizes) – plasters for covering minor cuts and abrasions.
1 × non-allergenic adhesive strip (25mm × 3m) – for securing dressings on individuals with latex or adhesive sensitivities.
1 × roll of elastic adhesive (25mm × 3m) – adhesive tape for securing dressings and bandages in place.
4 × triangular bandages – highly versatile: used as slings to support injured arms and shoulders, to immobilise limbs, or to secure dressings over larger wound areas.
4 × conforming bandages (75mm × 5m) – for holding dressings in place and providing light compression on smaller limbs.
4 × conforming bandages (100mm × 5m) – as above, for larger limbs.
2 × straight splints – used to immobilise suspected fractures or sprains in limbs until professional medical care is available.
1 × set of safety pins – for fastening triangular bandages and securing dressings securely.
1 × pair of forceps (tweezers) – for removing splinters and assisting with wound management without direct finger contact.
1 × pair of scissors (minimum 100mm) – for cutting bandages, dressings, adhesive tape, or clothing to access a wound.
2 × pairs large and 2 × pairs medium disposable latex gloves – to protect both the first aider and the injured person from cross-contamination during treatment.
1 × pair large and 1 × pair medium disposable rubber household gloves – for use when cleaning up blood or body fluid spills.
2 × 2-ply paper face masks – to reduce the risk of respiratory transmission during close patient contact.
2 × CPR mouthpieces (or similar devices) – provide a hygienic barrier during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR can be a lifesaving intervention, and a mouthpiece makes it safer to deliver without hesitation.
Adequate supply of absorbent material (e.g. paper towels) – for absorbing blood and other body fluids spilled during an incident.
Disinfectant – to disinfect the affected area after cleaning up blood or body fluid spills.
1 × absorbent gel (50g) – solidifies liquid spills such as blood, making cleanup significantly safer and more contained.
1 × suitable self-seal bag – for the safe disposal of blood and body fluid-contaminated biohazard materials.
Note for shops and offices: Under the General Safety Regulations, workplaces classified as shops or offices may reduce by half the quantities prescribed for the following items: wound cleaner/antiseptic, triangular bandages, conforming bandages (both sizes), first aid dressings No. 3 and No. 5, disposable latex gloves, and CPR mouthpieces. All 24 item types must still be present.
A question that comes up regularly: can employers stock medications — such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, antihistamines, antibiotic ointment, antibiotic cream, or personal medications — in the workplace first aid kit?
The short answer is no, not as prescribed kit contents. The General Safety Regulations prescribe specific items for the first aid kit, and oral medications such as painkillers, antihistamines, or any over-the-counter medicines are not among them. A First Aider is not a medical professional and is not qualified to administer or recommend medication.
Where employees have personal medications for known conditions (such as an EpiPen for severe allergic reactions), these should be managed separately under a clear workplace health policy, not stored in the general first aid kit. If insect repellant or other preventive products are relevant to your environment, they are workplace hygiene or PPE items, not first aid kit contents.
Your first aid kit must be maintained, restocked, and ready for use at all times. Here is how to do it properly:
Assign clear responsibility: Designate your certified First Aider or a specific team member to manage and inspect the kit. First aid kit management should be part of that person’s formal appointment, not an informal arrangement.
Inspect after every use: Restock any items used during an incident as soon as the situation has been resolved.
Schedule formal inspections: Conduct a formal inspection at least monthly or quarterly, using a signed checklist. This documentation supports your compliance in the event of a DoEL inspection, a workplace incident investigation, or a Compensation Fund claim.
Check expiry dates: Antiseptics, dressings, and gloves all carry expiry dates. Expired items must be replaced. Restocking from a first aid kit refills service keeps this process straightforward.
Store correctly: Keep the kit in a clean, dry location away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. It must never be locked. Accessibility during all working hours is a legal requirement, not a suggestion.
Update your signage: If your designated First Aider changes, update the first aid kit information sheet immediately. Out-of-date information indicating a person who is no longer in the role is a compliance gap and, more importantly, a practical problem in an emergency.
Keep a written log: A written record of inspections, restocking dates, and any incidents where the kit was used is good practice and demonstrates ongoing compliance to the DoEL.
The OHS Act acknowledges that not all workplaces carry the same risk profile. The minimum contents list above applies to all qualifying workplaces, but your specific environment may require more.
Offices and retail shops A standard Regulation 3 first aid kit meets the baseline legal requirement. The focus is on minor injury management: cuts, abrasions, sprains, and similar incidents.
Construction sites The Construction Regulations impose additional requirements. Higher injury risk, remote locations, and the potential for serious traumatic injuries mean that basic Regulation 3 provision is rarely adequate. Consult the Construction Regulations and a qualified OHS Practitioner for guidance on what your specific site requires.
Industrial and manufacturing environments Where machinery, chemicals, or electrical hazards are present, a “Regulation 7” first aid kit with enhanced body fluid spill management items is appropriate. Additional provisions such as eye wash stations may also be required, especially where employees work with hazardous chemical agents. Review the relevant Safety Data Sheets for your substances.
Remote or isolated worksites Where access to emergency medical services may be significantly delayed, employers should consider extending first aid provision beyond the minimum and training First Aiders to a higher level (such as Level 3).
Healthcare and high-risk environments Where employees may encounter blood-borne pathogen exposure, a body fluid spill kit and appropriate PPE beyond the standard gloves should be considered. Consult your occupational health practitioner for environment-specific guidance.
Regulation 3(6) requires that a prominent notice or sign be displayed at the workplace indicating:
The appropriate first aid kit sign uses a green cross symbol with a directional arrow. The First Aider’s name and contact details should also be displayed on or at the first aid kit. A first aid kit sign is not merely good housekeeping. In an emergency, it could be the difference between an employee finding help in time and wasting critical minutes searching. It is also one of the first things a DoEL inspector will look for during a workplace inspection.
What is the difference between a Regulation 3 and Regulation 7 first aid kit? A Regulation 3 first aid kit is the formally prescribed minimum under South Africa’s General Safety Regulations, containing the standard first aid supplies required for all qualifying workplaces. A “Regulation 7” first aid kit is an industry-standard term (not a separately defined legislative category) describing a kit that includes all Regulation 3 contents plus additional items for managing blood and body fluid spills.
Where can I buy a first aid kit that meets South African OHS requirements? Absolute Health Services stocks both Regulation 3 and Regulation 7 first aid kits, available in nylon bags and steel boxes. All kits are supplied to meet the minimum prescribed contents under the General Safety Regulations. First aid kit refills are also available to keep your kit compliant between inspections.
How many first aid kits does my workplace need? This depends on your number of employees, the nature of your work, the size and layout of your premises, and the types of injuries likely to occur. The general industry guideline is one kit per 50 employees, but multi-floor or geographically spread workplaces will require more. A qualified OHS Practitioner can advise on the appropriate number for your specific site.
Does my office need a first aid kit? Yes. Any workplace with more than five employees — including offices — must provide at least one first aid kit. Offices may reduce certain prescribed quantities by half, but all 24 item types must still be present.
What training does a First Aider need? A designated First Aider must hold a valid first aid certificate obtained from a HWSETA- or QCTO-accredited and DoEL-registered training provider, renewed every three years. Absolute Health Services offers accredited First Aid Level 1, 2, and 3 training, delivered by HPCSA-registered paramedics.
Can I include ibuprofen or antihistamines in my first aid kit? No. Oral medications — including painkillers such as ibuprofen, antihistamines, antibiotic cream, or any personal medications — are not prescribed contents under the General Safety Regulations and should not be stored in the general first aid kit. First Aiders are not qualified to administer or recommend medication.
What first aid kit sign do I need? A compliant first aid kit sign must indicate the location of the kit. The standard sign uses a green cross with a green directional arrow. Absolute Health Services stocks the appropriate safety signage for first aid kit compliance. Remember to also display the name and contact details of the First Aider on duty at or on the first aid kit.
How often should the first aid kit be checked? The kit should be inspected after every use and on a formal scheduled basis – at minimum monthly or quarterly – with a written record of each inspection maintained. This documentation supports compliance in the event of a DoEL inspection or workplace incident investigation.
Ensure that you always have a correctly stocked First Aid Box in your workplace as per the Regulation 7.
Download our free checklist to keep on hand so that your are to respond to emergencies effectively.
