First Aid Kits
First aid kits are the bit of site kit you pray you never need, but when you do, it has to be right there and properly stocked.
On site, cuts, splinters, burns and dust in the eye happen fast, so you want workplace first aid kits that are easy to grab, clearly labelled, and packed with proper dressings and first aid supplies. Choose a portable first aid case for the van, a wall mounted first aid box for the canteen, and add eye wash or burn first aid where the job demands it.
What Are First Aid Kits Used For?
- Dealing with day-to-day site injuries like cuts, grazes and split knuckles using sterile wound dressings, bandages and plasters so you can clean up and carry on safely.
- Handling workplace injury treatment quickly after slips, trips, and minor impacts with accident response kits that keep dressings, wipes and gloves together in one place.
- Sorting burns and scalds from hot works, adhesives, bitumen or site kitchens by keeping burn first aid kits and the right first aid dressings close to the risk area.
- Flushing dust, grit, cement splash or chemical mist from eyes using eye wash kits, especially around cutting, mixing, drilling and cleaning tasks.
- Keeping emergency first aid kits in the van, welfare unit or workshop so emergency medical supplies are always on site, even when the job moves room to room.
Choosing the Right First Aid Kits
Pick it like you pick PPE: match the kit to the risk and the distance to help, not what looks cheapest on the shelf.
1. Compliance and spec: HSE compliant vs BS8599
If you are kitting out a workplace, go for HSE compliant first aid kits or BS8599 first aid kits so the contents and quantities are right for UK site expectations. If you are doing higher-risk work or bigger teams, do not under-size it because you will run out of dressings fast.
2. Where it lives: portable, vehicle, or wall mounted
If the job moves constantly, a portable first aid case is the one that actually gets used because it stays with the gang or in the van. If you have a fixed welfare area or workshop, a wall mounted first aid box keeps it visible and stops it walking off site.
3. Match the kit to the hazards on your job
If you are cutting, mixing, drilling or using chemicals, add eye wash kits because eyes are the one you cannot wait on. If you are doing hot works, roofing, kitchens or adhesives, keep burn first aid kits near the risk, not buried in the office.
4. Restock and layout
A first aid kit is only as good as what is left inside it, so pick first aid boxes with clear compartments and make restocking part of weekly checks. If it is a rummage to find a sterile dressing, it is the wrong case for a real site.
First Aid Kits FAQs
Do I need HSE compliant first aid kits or BS8599 first aid kits for a workplace?
For UK workplaces, you should be looking at HSE compliant first aid kits or BS8599 first aid kits because the contents are set up for real workplace use, not just a token box. If you are responsible for site safety, it is the simplest way to make sure you have the right types and quantities of first aid supplies.
What is the difference between a site first aid kit and a travel first aid kit?
A travel kit is usually smaller and aimed at minor cuts and blisters. Site first aid kits and construction first aid kits are built around workplace injury treatment, so you get more sterile wound dressings, bandages and proper first aid equipment for knocks, cuts and dust-related issues.
Should I have a wall mounted first aid kit as well as a portable first aid kit?
Yes, if you have a fixed welfare area or workshop, a wall mounted first aid box keeps it visible and easy to check. On most sites you still want a portable first aid kit for the workface, because the injury rarely happens right next to the canteen wall.
Are eye wash kits worth it, or is a standard first aid kit enough?
If you are cutting, drilling, chasing, mixing cement, or using chemicals, an eye wash kit is worth having because it is the fastest way to flush contamination out properly. A standard first aid kit might have dressings and wipes, but it will not replace proper eye wash for grit or splash incidents.
How often should workplace first aid kits be checked and restocked?
On a busy site, check weekly as a minimum and after any incident where it has been opened properly. Plasters and dressings disappear quickly, and once sterile items are used or out of date, the kit is no longer doing its job.
Will a vehicle first aid kit survive being thrown in the van with the tools?
A decent first aid case will take normal van abuse, but do not leave it loose under heavy kit where it will get crushed or soaked. If you want it to stay intact and easy to find, mount it or keep it in a dedicated spot so it is always accessible.
Who Uses Workplace First Aid Kits?
- Site managers and supervisors who need visible, on site first aid kits for health and safety first aid and quick response before the first aider arrives.
- Groundworkers, brickies and steel fixers who get through plasters, dressings and eye wash fast on dusty, abrasive jobs.
- Sparks, chippies and fitters who want a portable first aid kit in the van for cuts, nicks and burns when you are working away from the main first aid box.
- Facilities and maintenance teams who keep wall mounted first aid kits topped up in workshops, plant rooms and warehouses where small injuries are a regular thing.
The Basics: Understanding Workplace First Aid Kits
First aid kits are not all the same. On site, the difference is whether the contents match the risk and whether the kit is where the injury happens.
1. Compliance is about contents, not the sticker
HSE compliant first aid kits and BS8599 first aid kits are built around UK workplace needs, meaning you get the right mix of sterile wound dressings, bandages and first aid supplies in sensible quantities. That matters when you have multiple minor injuries in a week and the kit needs to stay usable.
2. Add-on kits cover specific site risks
Eye wash kits and burn first aid kits are not "nice to have" when the job creates those injuries. They are rapid response first aid that buys you time and reduces damage while you get proper medical help if it is needed.
3. Accessibility is what makes it work
A wall mounted first aid kit in the welfare area is great until the injury happens three floors up. For real construction first aid kits, you want a main box plus a portable first aid kit that stays with the workface.
First Aid Accessories That Actually Get Used on Site
These are the add-ons that stop you getting caught out when the main first aid kit is not enough for the job in front of you.
1. First Aid Refill Packs and Restock Supplies
Refills keep your first aid boxes compliant and usable after a few call-outs, so you are not left with an empty case and a couple of plasters when someone needs sterile wound dressings.
2. Eye Wash Kits
Keep an eye wash kit where cutting, drilling, mixing or chemical cleaning happens, because walking across site with grit in your eye is not a plan and it only gets worse the longer you leave it.
3. Burn First Aid Kits
If you have hot works, roofing, kitchens or adhesives on the go, burn first aid supplies need to be separate and easy to grab, so you are not digging through a general kit while someone is in pain.
4. Vehicle Mounts and Brackets for First Aid Cases
A bracket keeps a vehicle first aid kit in the same place every time, so it is not sliding under seats or buried under tools when you need it fast.
Shop First Aid Kits at ITS
Whether you need a compact emergency first aid kit for the van, a wall mounted first aid box for the welfare unit, or BS8599 and HSE compliant workplace first aid kits for a full site, we stock the range in one place. It is all held in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery so you can get sorted before the next shift.
