First Aid Kits play an important role in a workplace emergency preparedness, OHS Act compliance, and assist in treating any injured persons at work. It is a legal compliance requirement to have appropriately stocked first aid kits in the workplace.
Table of Contents
What is the OSHA requirement for first aid kits?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 general safety regulation requires workplaces with 10 or more employees to have a first aid kit available in the workplace. In addition, the workplaces also need to have trained first aiders available who have been trained in how to use the first aid kit.
The first aid kits need to be stocked with a specified listed list of equipment which is determined by the OHS Act and the Department of Labour. First aid kits content also needs to be replaced with new First Aid Kit refills and the old content discarded. This refill can take place when the existing content expires. The expiry date of certain items or products is printed on the items within the kit.
The Department of Labour (DOL) is responsible for enforcing the OHS act and its requirements, through the deployment and use of inspectors who visit workplaces and enquire and investigate OHS act compliance. These inspectors regularly request sight of the first aid boxes, their first aid kit refill content, and the first aider’s training certificate.
The importance of first aid kit refills
Unfortunately, the medical stock does expire and has a printed expiry date on most items within the first aid kits, or first aid kit refills packs. Many organisations purchase the initial first aid kits but then fail to check the expiry dates of the content. It is a good idea to replace the first aid kit content with new first aid kit refills at least every two years. This will ensure that when the time comes to use the first aid kits during an emergency that the items will be in good condition and not expired.
The first aid kit refills generally contain the correct contents, but the company purchasing the first aid kit refills must ensure that they purchase the content and kits from a reputable supplier, who is well versed in the emergency preparedness and OHS compliance training and equipment supply environment requirements, such as Absolute Health Services.
How to service your first aid kits?
Whatever system or method an organisation chooses to service their first aid kits is acceptable, as long as the first aid kit is always fully stocked, contain nonexpired medical content, content is in line with the DOL first aid kit requirements and the first aid kits are accessible and sealed with breakable seals (not locks).
The trained or certified first aiders normally perform monthly first aid kit checks, where they walk around the workplace and check all the first aid kits to ensure that their seals are still in place and that the name and extension or cell telephone number of the trained first aider is on the first aid kit.
If the seals are still in place that means that the first aid kit has not been opened or used and that the content is, therefore, satisfactory. If the seal is broken then the kit has possibly been used and a check must be performed. If it is determined that content is missing then the person performing the check must order first aid kit refills which can be used to fill the first aid kits on-site.
Choose the right first aid kit for you
There are different first aid kits on the market that would suit your requirements and purpose for having a first aid kit. In a normal or standard working environment than the standard Regulation 7 wall-mounted first aid box would be suitable for the workplace. However, if a company is working in a high-risk or different environment such as the wilderness then tailor-made first aid kits may be required. The kit would then contain the normal DOL first aid kit content as well as additional content specific to treating injuries and illness within the wilderness.
Department of Labour first aid kit content
The DOL list of first aid kit content is listed below, so ensure that all your standard first aid kits have and contain this content listed below:
| 1 | Wound cleaner / antiseptic (100 ml) |
| 2 | Swabs for cleaning wounds (50) |
| 3 | Cotton wool for padding (100 g) |
| 4 | Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10) |
| 5 | 1 Pair of forceps (for splinters) |
| 6 | 1 Pair of scissors (minimum size 100 mm) |
| 7 | 1 set of safety pins |
| 8 | 4 Triangular bandages |
| 9 | 4 Roller bandages (75 mm x 5 m) |
| 10 | 4 Roller bandages (100 mm x 5 m) |
| 11 | 1 Roll of elastic adhesive (25 mm x 3 m) |
| 12 | 1 non-allergenic adhesive strip (25 mm x 3 m) |
| 13 | 1 Packet of adhesive dressing strips (minimum quantity, 10 assorted sizes) |
| 14 | 4 First aid dressings (75 mm x 100 mm) |
| 15 | 4 First aid dressings (150 mm x 200 mm) |
| 16 | 2 Straight splints |
| 17 | 2 Pairs large & 2 pairs medium disposable gloves |
| 18 | 2 CPR Mouthpieces or similar devices |
| 19 | Blood spill kit |
Do not put any additional pills, tablets, or other medication in the kit as people might be allergic to the additional content and suffer a dangerous anaphylactic reaction to the additional content. Only place what the regulation states such as bandages and gloves etc into the first aid kit.
Absolute Health Services can assist you with all you first aid kit requirements
Absolute Health Services is able to assist all organisations with their first aid kit and first aid kit refill supplies and installation requirements. We have qualified and experienced first aid kit installers and paramedics who can advise and assist you and your organisation with all their first aid kit and first aid kit refill requirements. Contact us and we will assist you with this important workplace requirement.