Save a Life: Which First Aid Kit Do You Actually Need?

First aid at work isn’t optional - it’s a legal requirement.

But if you’ve ever tried to figure out exactly what you’re supposed to provide, you’ll know it can feel a bit…vague.

How big should your kit be? Do you need more than one? What about catering areas, drivers or warehouse staff?

You’re not the only one asking these questions, so let’s break it down in a straightforward, no‑nonsense way.

So, what does the law actually say?

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, every UK employer must provide “adequate and appropriate” first aid equipment.

That wording is deliberately broad. There’s no universal shopping list because a ten‑person office doesn’t face the same risks as a busy warehouse or a hot, fast‑paced kitchen.

What you do need is:

• The right equipment for your environment

• Easy access to it

• Regular checks and restocking

• A proper first aid needs assessment

If you can show those things, you’re already on solid ground.

What’s BS 8599‑1, and why should you care?

You’ll often see workplace kits described as “BS 8599‑1 compliant”. That’s simply the British Standard that outlines what a workplace first aid kit should contain.

Think of it as a trusted benchmark. It ensures the kit is stocked with the right items, in the right quantities, for real‑world injuries.

Using a BS 8599‑1 kit makes it much easier to demonstrate you’ve taken reasonable steps to meet your legal duties.

At Astral Hygiene, all our workplace kits meet this standard.

How do you know which kit size is right?

Instead of getting bogged down in categories, start with a few simple questions:

• How many people are usually on site?

• Are you spread across multiple floors or buildings?

• Do customers or visitors come through regularly?

More people and more space usually means more than one kit.

Then think about the type of work you do.

• Office environments: mostly minor cuts, slips and paper‑related mishaps. A small or medium kit is usually enough.

• Retail, workshops or light manufacturing: a medium kit is a sensible minimum.

• Warehousing, engineering or construction: larger kits are often needed, and if heat is involved, a dedicated burns kit is essential.

It’s not about overcomplicating things. It’s about matching your kit to the risks your team actually faces.

Don’t forget specialist environments

Some workplaces need a little extra thought.

• Catering: blue detectable plasters are a must, so a catering kit is the safest option.

• Heat, welding or hot surfaces: burns treatment should be front and centre.

• Drivers, engineers or lone workers: they need their own kit.

Once you look at how your team works day to day, the gaps become much clearer.

A first aid kit is only compliant if it’s complete

Buying the kit is the easy part.

Keeping it stocked is where many businesses slip up.

Dressings get used. Plasters disappear. Expiry dates creep up. And it’s only when someone reaches for something in an emergency that they realise it’s missing.

Regular checks, simple documentation and having refill packs ready make a huge difference, for compliance and for peace of mind.

Why it really matters

Yes, compliance protects your business. But more importantly, it protects your people.

In those first few minutes after an accident, the right equipment can reduce the severity of an injury and prevent complications. A relatively small investment can genuinely save a life.

Keep It Simple. Keep It Compliant.

At Astral Hygiene, we supply BS 8599‑1 compliant workplace kits, catering kits, burns kits and vehicle kits - everything you need to stay prepared without overthinking it.

If you’re unsure whether your current provision is adequate, now’s a great time to review it.