A first aid kit must be provided in the workplace and it needs to be easily found and readily accessible.

It is good practice to have a kit certified to British Standard (BS) 8599 or to have a kit containing, as a minimum:

• A leaflet with general guidance on first aid (e.g. HSE’s Basic advice on first aid at work);
• 20 individually wrapped sterile plasters of assorted sizes appropriate to the workplace;
• Two sterile eye pads;
• Four Individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;
• Six safety pins;
• Two large and six medium-sized sterile, individually wrapped, unmedicated wound dressings; and
• At least three pairs of disposable gloves.

Check that the first aid kit contains any specific items identified in the First Aid Needs Assessment. Tablets and medicines are not recommended to be kept in a first aid kit.

It is good practice to check first aid kits regularly to ensure that they contain all required items and that all items are in-date and that they are suitable for use.

It is good practice to keep a first aid kit in any vehicles used for work purposes.

Note that home workers with low-risk do not need any first aid equipment over and above those typically provided for normal domestic needs.