Key First Aid Supplies Every Office Should Have

First aid supplies are essential in any workplace, but knowing what to include in your first aid kit is equally important. Whether you’re managing a small office or a larger corporate environment, being prepared for common injuries or illnesses can make a significant difference in response time and the outcome of incidents. This blog outlines the essential first aid supplies every office should have, provides guidance on keeping your kit updated, and tailors it to your workplace’s specific needs.

The Importance of Being Prepared

Having a well-stocked first aid kit in your office is not just a legal requirement but a crucial part of responsible workplace safety planning. Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment. The size of the business, number of employees, and work type are key factors in determining what’s “appropriate.”

First aid kits can address minor injuries, but they are also critical for more severe incidents. The British Red Cross emphasises, “You never know when an emergency might happen, so being prepared with the right tools is essential” (See our helpful Be in the know pages for tips and tools).

Essential Supplies for Every Office First Aid Kit

Your office first aid kit should include items for treating common workplace injuries like cuts, burns, and sprains. Below is a list of essential first aid supplies based on recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):

Adhesive Plasters (Sterile)
Small cuts and abrasions are among the most common workplace injuries. Adhesive plasters are essential for quickly covering wounds to prevent infection.
Sterile Eye Pads
Eye injuries can happen in any workplace, whether office or construction. Ever had a dust particle in the eye? What about construction workers with potential for embedded objects into the eye. Sterile eye pads stabilise and cover the injury before medical help arrives.
Triangular Bandages
These can be used to create slings for sprains or breaks and can also be used as pads for larger wounds.
Wound Dressings (Assorted sizes)
Wounds can happen from various activities. Controlling a severe bleed is vital to reduce blood loss and potential shock. With a sterile pad and bandage, the dressing can be secured tightly to larger wounds.
Disposable Gloves (Nitrile)
Always wear disposable gloves when administering first aid to avoid cross-contamination. Nitrile gloves are preferable since they are more durable than latex and hypoallergenic.
CPR Face Shield
Face shields allow first aiders to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while maintaining hygiene. This is particularly helpful during emergencies like cardiac arrests.

Related Reading: How to Administer CPR: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cleansing Wipes
Cleaning a wound before dressing it is vital to prevent infection. Cleansing wipes provide an immediate way to clean wounds when soap and water are unavailable.
Burn Dressings
Burn injuries, though less frequent in offices, require immediate attention. Special burn dressings are designed to cool the injury and protect the skin from further damage.
Scissors
Medical scissors, with their blunt ends, are ideal for cutting clothing around a wound. This is important because first aid must be performed at skin level.
Instant Cold Packs
Cold packs are helpful for reducing swelling and numbing pain from sprains, strains, or bruises.
Adhesive Tape
Adhesive tape is used to secure bandages and dressings, especially for larger wounds.

Tailoring Your First Aid Kit to Your Office

Not all workplaces require the same first aid supplies. Conducting a first aid needs assessment will help identify your unique needs. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), businesses should regularly assess risks and adjust their kits as needed. For example, a software development company with employees sitting long hours may want to include additional supplies to or posture-related issues, while a tree surgeon would need more trauma-related supplies.

Conducting risk assessments will ensure your first aid kit is not only compliant but also adequate for any situation that may arise.

Keeping Your First Aid Kit Up to Date

It’s not enough to simply stock a first aid kit once; it needs regular maintenance to remain effective. The HSE recommend checking first aid supplies every three months. Supplies may expire, and equipment like scissors or tweezers could become damaged. Additionally, it’s essential to restock any used items immediately to ensure the kit remains comprehensive.

An often overlooked issue is ensuring employees know where the first aid kit is located and that they are familiar with its contents. Storing the kit in an easily accessible, central location and periodically reviewing its usage with staff can make a big difference in response times during an emergency.

Expanding Beyond Basic First Aid Kits

First aid kits should evolve alongside your office environment. Suppose your company is growing, and more employees are on-site. In that case, you may need multiple first aid kits, a designated first aider, and possibly even a defibrillator or advanced medical supplies.

According to the Resuscitation Council UK (Resus.org.uk), workplaces should also consider having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in areas where cardiac risk is higher.

How Frontline Training Can Help

At Frontline Training, we offer First Aid at Work courses designed to equip your team with the knowledge and skills to handle any workplace emergency. Our courses teach employees how to use every item in a standard first aid kit effectively and how to respond to life-threatening situations like cardiac arrest. Additionally, we help businesses assess their specific needs, ensuring that your workplace is not only compliant with UK laws but also optimally prepared.

With specialised training in everything from Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) to Mental Health First Aid, our expert trainers ensure that your staff are prepared for a wide range of situations. We also provide consultations to assess your specific risks and help tailor your first aid kits accordingly.

Ensure your office is prepared for any emergency by equipping your team with the necessary first aid skills. Book a course with Frontline Training today, and ensure your team knows how to react when it matters most.