Having a suitable construction site first aid kit(s) on your work premise is an absolute must for all employers, regardless of industry. It is the first layer of health and safety protection for your employees and can range from preventing a small cut from getting infected to potentially saving someone’s life after a bad injury.
In the following blog, we discuss all things first aid kits to help you make an informed decision when purchasing and supplying your workers with first aid protection.
What Are The First Aid Kit Regulations In The UK
According to HSE, there is no mandatory list of items for a first aid kit. The contents required should be based on a first aid needs assessment. This is based on a risk assessment, which highlights the most suitable first aid equipment necessary for the type of work, the hazards, and other considerations, such as the number of employees.
When planning and purchasing your workplace first aid kits, it is a must that a competent and trained individual carries out the risk assessment. They must factor in three main points:
- Workplace size - the higher the complexity of your space, the more first aid kits you will need. If you have multi-hazard or multi-floor space or take more than 60 seconds to get between two areas, you will need more than one kit.
- Workforce - the greater the number of employees, the more first aid kits you will need.
- Workplace risk level - construction sites are considered high-risk workplaces, with a range of heavy machinery as well as building and decorating tools like drills and saws, so a specialised first aid kit would be necessary.
By ensuring that you are aware of the potential hazards and preparing for the worst eventuality, you can minimise the risk factor on your sites and protect your workers. We have further discussed risk assessments in our previous article on ‘how to reduce the risk of injury on a construction site’.
Essentials To Have In Every First Aid Kit
There are countless opportunities and risks that come with being a worker on a construction site; from working at a height to dealing with power tools, there is always the opportunity for an injury. For a workplace such as this, it is the obligation of the employer to cover all bases of first aid. The site first aid box needs to contain more than just an antiseptic wipe and some plasters to achieve this.
We suggest that every first aid kit also includes:
- Hydrogel dressings
- Sterile dressings
- Moist wipes
- Burn gel dressings
- Bandage rolls
- Eye baths station
- Sterile eye pads
- Burn treatment sachets
- Safety pins
- Disposable gloves
- Triangular bandages
Ideally, you should place the first aid kit in an easily accessible and visible area. It should have a site safety sign highlighting the first aid kit words. Also, it is essential to review the contents of the first aid box regularly to ensure the products have not expired.
Add Another Layer Of Construction Site Safety Protection With PPE.
First aid kits treat the outcome of an accident or injury, but by protecting yourself and your fellow workers with personal protective equipment, you can prevent these injuries from ever occurring. Items such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, and high visibility clothing help avoid serious injury when an accident occurs.
If you want to further discuss the appropriate contents for a construction site first aid kit, or to find an answer to any of your building supplies queries, contact Fast Build today.
