How Many First Aid Kits Does My Workplace Need?

By Karen Fantarrow

Posted on: 18th September 2026

Workplace First Aid Kits: What You Need to Know

A first aid kit is one of the simplest ways to make sure you have the right equipment available when someone is injured or becomes unwell at work.

But how many first aid kits does your workplace need? What should be in them? Where should they be kept? And how often should they be checked?

We’re regularly asked these questions at Help! First Aid Training, so we’ve put together this guide to help you understand the requirements for workplace first aid kits in the UK.

Does my workplace need a first aid kit?

Yes. Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide suitable and sufficient first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or become ill at work.

Exactly what your workplace needs will depend on your circumstances. There isn't a single first-aid kit or first-aid provision that is suitable for every business.

This is why employers should carry out a first-aid needs assessment. Your assessment should consider the risks associated with your workplace, the type of work being carried out and the people who may need first aid.

How many first aid kits does my workplace need?

The number of first aid kits you need should be determined by your first-aid needs assessment. There isn't a legal rule stating that every workplace must have a specific number of first aid kits.

When deciding how many workplace first aid kits you need, consider:

The nature of your work
Different workplaces have different levels of risk.
An office environment may have relatively low risks compared with a construction site, manufacturing business, warehouse or workshop. Your first-aid arrangements should reflect the hazards associated with the work being carried out.
The number of employees
The more people working at a premises, the greater the likelihood that first aid may be required.
The size and layout of your workplace
A first aid kit isn't much use if it takes too long to reach it.
Think about the size and layout of your premises, the number of floors and whether employees work in separate buildings or areas.
If your workplace is large or spread out, you may need more than one first aid kit so that suitable first aid equipment is readily accessible.
Visitors, contractors and members of the public
Although the First-Aid Regulations relate to employees, the Health and Safety Executive (H.S.E.) recommends considering non-employees such as visitors and members of the public as part of your overall first-aid needs assessment and duty of care.
If your business regularly has customers, contractors, children, members of the public or other visitors on site, you should take this into account when deciding on your first-aid arrangements.

What should be in a workplace first aid kit?

There isn't a single legally prescribed list of items that every workplace first aid kit must contain.

Instead, the contents should be based on your first-aid needs assessment and the risks associated with your workplace.

H.S.E. provides a suggested minimum stock for workplaces where the work involves low hazards. This includes:

A first aid guidance leaflet
20 individually wrapped sterile plasters in assorted sizes
2 sterile eye pads
2 individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile
6 safety pins
2 large sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings
6 medium-sized sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings
At least 3 pairs of disposable gloves

These are suggested contents rather than a mandatory legal list.

What else might you need in your first aid kit?

Depending on the risks identified in your workplace, you may decide that additional items would be useful.

For example, a workplace kit might also contain:

Sterile burns dressings
Cleansing wipes
Medical tape
Blunt End Scissors
A CPR face shield
Foil blankets

Higher-risk workplaces may require additional specialist equipment. For example, if your company works in construction, chemical or groundworks you may need additional equipment, such as a tourniquet, or eyewash, and appropriate training.

The important thing is not simply to buy the biggest first aid kit available. The contents should be appropriate for the risks in your workplace.

What is BS 8599-1?

You may have seen first aid kits advertised as BS 8599-1 compliant.

BS 8599-1 is the British Standard for workplace first aid kits. It provides specifications for the contents of workplace first aid kits and gives guidance on suitable kit sizes for different workplace environments.

It can be a useful standard to look for when purchasing a workplace first aid kit, but it is important to understand that using a BS 8599-1 kit is not itself a legal requirement. Your first-aid provision should still reflect the findings of your first-aid needs assessment.

Where should a first aid kit be kept?

Your first aid kit should be readily accessible whenever people are working.

Everyone should know where their nearest first aid kit is located, and it should be easy to reach in an emergency.

Avoid putting a first aid kit somewhere that is difficult to access, such as a locked cupboard or an office that is normally closed or restricted.

It's a good idea to:

Clearly signpost the location of first aid kits
Tell new employees where the first aid kits are during their induction
Make sure employees know who the workplace first aiders are
Consider whether additional kits are needed in different areas of your workplace
Regularly remind staff where first aid equipment is located

A first aid kit hidden away in a cupboard isn't helpful when someone is injured.

How often should a first aid kit be checked?

First aid kits need to be checked regularly to make sure they are ready to use when needed.

Someone should be given responsibility for checking your workplace first aid kits and replacing anything that has been:

Used
Damaged
Contaminated
Opened
Lost
Expired or no longer suitable

Don't wait until an emergency to discover that your first aid kit is missing the items you need.

It's also worth checking that the kit is still appropriate for your workplace. If your business changes, you move premises, introduce new equipment or processes, or your workforce changes significantly, your first-aid needs assessment should be reviewed.

You’ve got the first aid kit – now get the skills to match

Don't forget your first aiders

Having a well-stocked first aid kit is important, but equipment is only one part of your workplace first-aid arrangements.

Your first-aid risk assessment should also consider whether you have enough appropriately trained first aiders or other suitable people to take charge of first-aid arrangements.

Good first aid provision isn't about simply ticking a box. It's about making sure that if something goes wrong, your workplace has the people, equipment and arrangements needed to respond quickly.

At Help! First Aid Training, we provide a range of workplace first aid courses across the North-East, including;

Emergency First Aid at Work

Paediatric First Aid (12 hours)

First Aid at Work

Re-qualification First Aid at Work