Workplace First Aid Kits – BS-8599 guidelines

On 30 June 2011 the British Standards Institute (BSi) introduced a new national standard (BS-8599) designed to update the contents of first aid kits so they better meet the needs of work based first aiders.

This standard replaces that of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) which will be withdrawn after 31 December 2011.

BS-8599 – First Aid Kit contents

The BS-8599 standard is a more extensive list of contents for workplace first aid kits.

It goes beyond the current HSE guidance, to include additional items such as adhesive tape, trauma shears, emergency foil blanket and face shields for resuscitation.

Because it is the employer who determines the contents, the HSE will not be making the BS-8599 kit mandatory.

It is also unlikely that they will even amend their current recommendations. They will be putting a statement on their website in the near future.

So, do not panic and rush out to buy a new first aid kit.

First Aid needs and risk assessment

Instead, do carry out a first aid needs risk assessment and as part of it check that your current first aid kits meet those needs. If they don’t then top them up using the list below as a check.

If it is time to buy a new first aid kit then it would make sense to purchase one that meets the new BSi standard.

Main changes in BS-8599

The main changes/additions to create this new standard are;

• Gloves – There will be more gloves in the kits and these will be nitrile to meet NHS guidelines.
• Plasters and wipes – extra plasters and wipes to meet actual needs.
• Medium and large dressings – there will be less in kits to reflect likely use.
• Triangular bandages – less again as they are no longer used for lower limb immobilisation.
• Finger dressing – returned to kit-list, to be used for finger(and other) injuries that are too large for plasters.
• Burn dressings – much more effective way of treating burns and scalds than water.
• Adhesive tape – for fixing of bandages (in place of safety pins) and non adhesive dressing.
• Shears – required for removing clothing from wounds and opening some bandage packaging.
• Emergency blanket – used for keeping casualties warm & treating those suffering clinical shock.
• Resuscitation aid – provides protection for first aiders performing resuscitation.
• Eye wash – added to the Travel kits as lone workers are unlikely to be able to access eye wash.

How many first-aid kits will I need?

This is a suggested number of first aid kits that may be required, but more may be needed dependent on other factors, such as the number of buildings on a site, or the number of floors in an office block.

Category of Hazard	Number of Employees	Number and Size of First Aid Kits
Low Hazard e.g. shops, offices, libraries etc	Less than 25 25 – 100 More than 100	Small size kit Medium size kit 1 large kit per 100 employees
High Hazard e.g. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacturing etc	Less than 5 5 – 25 More than 25	Small size kit Medium size kit 1 large kit per 25 employees

 

Review and risk assessment

For an independent review and risk assessment of your first aid needs, skills and policies why not contact Acorn, for your peace of mind.