Workplace First Aid Kits: Essential Components and Compliance Requirements

No matter how careful you are at work, accidents happen. Maybe someone trips over a cord or burns themselves on equipment. Having a fully stocked first aid kit can make all the difference in those moments.

Let’s say someone in your workplace gets a deep cut. Instead of scrambling for napkins or improvising, you have everything you need—bandages, gauze and even the tools to control bleeding until help arrives.

Having a complete first aid kit isn’t just about being cautious—it’s about being ready for anything. Under Australian law, it’s also your responsibility. The OHS Act requires every workplace to have compliant workplace first aid kits so that no matter what happens, you’re equipped to handle it.

Not only does this protect your workers, but it can also save you from costly compensation claims down the track by stopping small injuries from becoming big problems.

Essential Components in a Workplace First Aid Kit

Here is a very comprehensive list of items that could be included in a workplace first aid kit:

Basic Supplies

• Adhesive Bandages (plasters) – Various sizes for covering small cuts and abrasions.
• Sterile Gauze Pads – For dressing larger wounds.
• Adhesive Tape – To secure bandages and gauze.
• Elastic Bandages (crepe bandages) – For sprains, strains, or to hold dressings in place.
• Triangular Bandages – For slings, padding, or immobilising limbs.
• Non-stick Sterile Dressings – For burns or open wounds to prevent sticking.
• Eye Pads – For protecting injured eyes.

Wound Care

• Antiseptic Wipes – To clean wounds and prevent infection.
• Antiseptic Cream/Ointment – For minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
• Hydrogen Peroxide or Saline Solution – For irrigating wounds.
• Alcohol Pads – For cleaning skin before applying a dressing or for disinfecting instruments.
• Burn Gel or Burn Dressings – For cooling and treating burns.
• Sterile Eye Wash – For rinsing foreign objects or chemicals from eyes.
• Tweezers – For removing splinters or debris from wounds.
• Scissors – For cutting bandages, tape, or clothing in case of an emergency.
• Cotton Balls – For cleaning wounds or applying ointments.
• Hydrocolloid Dressings – For blisters and wounds that need moisture retention for healing.

Splinting & Immobilisation

• Finger Splints – For stabilising finger injuries.
• Instant Cold Packs – For reducing swelling in injuries such as sprains or strains.
• Foam Padding – For supporting limbs or joints during immobilisation.
• Splinting Materials – For stabilising fractures or severe sprains.

Emergency Supplies

• CPR Face Shield or Mask – For safely administering CPR.
• Resuscitation Bag (Ambu Bag) – For providing artificial respiration.
• Disposable Gloves (nitrile or latex-free) – To protect against bloodborne pathogens.
• Thermal Blanket (space blanket) – To prevent shock or hypothermia.
• Tourniquet – For controlling severe bleeding in emergencies.
• Emergency Whistle – For alerting others during an emergency.
• Instant Heat Packs – For warming injured individuals or treating muscle pain.

Pain & Illness Relief

• Pain Relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen) – For treating minor aches and pains.
• Antihistamines – For treating allergic reactions.
• Aspirin (in case of heart attack) – For emergency use in suspected heart attacks.
• Anti-inflammatory Gel/Cream – For reducing swelling and relieving muscle pain.
• Anti-nausea Tablets – For treating nausea or motion sickness.

Respiratory and Breathing Aids

• Asthma Inhaler – For workplaces with employees who suffer from asthma.
• Oxygen Cylinder with Mask – For high-risk workplaces or areas where immediate oxygen may be needed.

Miscellaneous

• Face Masks – To prevent contamination or protect from inhaling harmful substances.
• Eye Protection (goggles) – For protecting eyes during first aid administration.
• Sanitary Towels or Pads – These can be used for applying pressure to large wounds.
• Safety Pins – For securing bandages or slings.
• First Aid Manual – A basic guide on administering first aid.
• Notebook and Pen – For taking down important details about the incident or injury.
• Emergency Contact Numbers – A list of local emergency services and workplace first aid officers.

Specific Workplace Items

• Defibrillator (AED) – In workplaces where the risk of cardiac arrest may be higher, such as factories, construction sites or high-stress environments.
• EpiPen – For workplaces where employees may suffer from severe allergies (anaphylaxis).
• Sharps Disposal Container – If your workplace handles needles or other sharp objects.
• Syringes – If there is a need to administer certain medications quickly (such as insulin for diabetics).
• Blood Pressure Cuff – For checking blood pressure in emergency situations.
• Glucose Gel or Tablets – For treating low blood sugar in diabetic emergencies.
• Sterile Strips – For closing small but deep cuts (butterfly strips).
• Portable Stretcher – For transporting injured employees in larger workplaces.

How Many First Aid Kits Does a Workplace Need?

So, here’s the deal: every workplace needs at least one kit and regular first aid kit refills must be done for this kit. But if your place is really big or spread out, you might need more than one.

Here’s a practical example, if you have a big house, you wouldn’t just put one fire extinguisher in the living room. You’d probably put one upstairs and downstairs too, right? The same goes for first aid kits.

Nonetheless, certain factors determine the exact number of kits that your workplace should have. Here are a few of them:

Size of the Workplace

If your workplace is large, spread across different floors, or has multiple sections, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got a first aid kit in each key area. You don’t want someone running across a whole building to grab a kit when time matters most.

The bigger the space, the more kits you’ll need, and they should be placed where everyone can easily access them in case of an emergency.

Number of Employees

The more people you have in your workspace, the more chances there are for someone to get hurt. It’s just how things go.

If you’ve got a small team, one or two kits might do the job. But if you’ve got a large group working, you’ll need a few more, just in case. If multiple people get injured at the same time, one little kit isn’t going to help everyone. You have to make sure you have enough kits to handle whatever comes your way.

Nature of Work and Hazards

What kind of work do you do? This really matters when it comes to what you’ll need in your first aid kits. If you’re running an office, a basic kit might be all you need. But if you’re dealing with things like heavy machinery, chemicals, or even fire, that’s a different story.

You’ll want to have things like burn treatments, eye wash, and maybe even some extra bandages to handle more serious injuries. Every job has its own risks, and your kit should be ready to handle whatever is likely to happen in your own office.

Accessibility

When accidents happen, you don’t have time to spare. You want to make sure that your workplace first aid kits are easy to find and easy to get to. It doesn’t do any good if people have to search around for them.

Make sure to place them where everyone can see them, like in hallways, break rooms, or near the exits. If your job involves more dangerous tasks, keep the kits close to those spots too.

And by the way, a little signage goes a long way to make sure everyone knows exactly where to find the nearest kit.