First Aid Kits

About First Aid Kits

First aid kits are essential safety equipment for workplaces, vehicles, and home workshops where accidents and injuries can occur. MyToolShed.co.uk supplies a comprehensive range of HSE-compliant first aid kits from trusted brands including Sealey, Scan, Portwest, and Draper, designed to meet British Standards (BS 8599) for different risk environments. From compact travel kits for mobile tradespeople to fully-stocked 100-person workplace solutions, each kit provides immediate access to medical supplies needed to treat minor injuries and manage emergencies before professional help arrives.

Our selection includes workplace kits tailored to low, medium, and high-risk environments, vehicle kits for mobile workers, specialist burns kits for welding and hot works, and emergency eye wash stations for workshop settings. Beyond complete kits, MyToolShed.co.uk also stocks essential refills including hydroscopic blue plasters for food preparation areas, sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes, and replacement eye wash solutions to maintain compliance with Health and Safety Executive regulations.

Applications

First aid kits are indispensable across numerous trades and work environments:

• Construction Sites: Required by law for all building projects regardless of size
• Electricians and Sparks: Need burns treatments and eye wash for electrical work hazards
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Require burns kits for hot water and soldering accidents
• Joiners and Chippies: Essential for managing cuts, splinters, and sawdust eye injuries
• Mechanics and Vehicle Technicians: Need chemical burn treatments and cut management supplies
• Factory and Warehouse Operations: Legally obligated provisions based on employee numbers
• Mobile Tradespeople: Compact vehicle kits for lone working compliance
• Facilities Managers: Responsible for maintaining compliant first aid across commercial premises
• Home Workshops: DIY enthusiasts benefit from household kits for workshop accidents

Choosing The Right First Aid Kits

Workplace Risk Assessment: Low-risk environments like offices need basic kits with plasters and bandages. Medium-risk settings such as warehouses require additional eye wash and burn dressings. High-risk locations including construction sites demand comprehensive trauma supplies and multiple dressings.

Number of Users: HSE guidance recommends kit sizes based on workforce numbers. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees typically need one basic kit, whilst larger operations require 50 or 100-person capacity solutions available from MyToolShed.co.uk.

Specific Hazards: Welders and metalworkers should prioritise burns kits. Workshops with grinding operations need eye wash stations. Food preparation areas require blue hydroscopic plasters to maintain hygiene standards and metal-detectability.

Portability Requirements: Mobile workers need compact, durable travel kits that withstand vibration and temperature variations. Wall-mounted workplace kits suit fixed locations, whilst carry cases offer flexibility for site-to-site movement.

British Standards Compliance: Ensure kits meet BS 8599 standards for workplace (BS 8599-1) or vehicle (BS 8599-2) first aid, with contents matching HSE recommendations for your industry sector.

Safety Information

Designate a responsible person to check kit contents monthly for used items, damaged packaging, or expired supplies. Conduct quarterly audits against original contents lists and replace items immediately after use. Store kits in accessible locations away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight, clearly marked with compliant green and white cross signage specified in Health and Safety regulations. Remember that first aid kits supplement but don't replace proper training—higher-risk workplaces should have at least one employee holding a valid First Aid at Work certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What first aid provision is legally required for my workplace?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate first aid equipment based on workplace risk assessment. Minimum requirements include an appropriately stocked HSE-compliant kit, an appointed person to manage arrangements, and clear employee information. Higher-risk workplaces need qualified first aiders and more comprehensive provisions.

Do I need different first aid kits for vehicles and premises?

Yes, vehicle first aid kits meet different standards (BS 8599-2) and are specifically designed to withstand temperature fluctuations and vibration whilst remaining compact. If employees regularly travel for work, provide suitable vehicle kits in addition to workplace provisions, particularly for lone workers.

How often should I check and refill my first aid kit?

Conduct visual checks monthly and comprehensive audits quarterly. Replace items immediately after use and check expiry dates during each inspection. Most dressings have 3-5 year shelf lives, whilst eye wash solutions typically expire after 2-3 years. Maintain a check log to demonstrate HSE compliance during inspections.