First aid kits are compulsory on building sites. First aid kits are necessary so that injuries can be treated immediately to help reduce the risk of infection to the injury. A first aid assessment should be carried out so as to be able to provide first response to all types of accidents and injuries.
First aid kits should be located in prominent positions around construction sites so as to be an easy find in case of an emergency. Depending on the size of the project and the number of workers on site, you should source the correct type, size and number of first aid kits.
All sites should have a qualified first aider who will be responsible to responding to accidents and injuries and ensuring first aid kits comply and are up to scratch. There should be a list of the contents included within the kit which should be checked regularly to ensure your kit complies. Should any equipment be used in an emergency, source replacement equipment immediately; better still, have spare equipment in stock so you can top up your kits that are around the site.
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require that employers are to provide appropriate and adequate equipment, facilities and trained personnel to make sure that employees receive attention immediately if they are injured or taken ill at work. These regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed, thus including construction sites.
In June 2011 a standard was published which outlines which type of first aid kit is necessary in the workplace. There are four main sizes of first aid kits: small/10 person, medium/20 person, large/50 person and travel size (for one person only).
The following table which should only be used as a guide can help employers decide the relevant size kit that’s required. We would advise that low hazard areas include offices and shops, whilst high hazard environments include construction sites, factories and warehouses.
|
CATEGORY OF HAZARD |
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES |
SIZE OF FIRST AID KIT |
|
Low Hazard |
Less than 25 |
Small / 10 Person Kit |
|
|
25 – 100 |
Medium / 20 Person Kit |
|
|
More than 100 |
1 Large / 50 Person Kit Per 100 Employees |
|
High Hazard |
Less than 5 |
Small / 10 Person Kit |
|
|
5 – 25 |
Medium / 20 Person Kit |
|
|
More than 25 |
1 Large / 50 Person Kit per 25 Employees |
First aid kits can be located alongside other emergency equipment such as fire points; most construction sites have fire point stations and often also include first aid information in case of emergencies.
Bull Products offer a large range of first aid solutions, from first responder stations to defibrillators.