What is required in a first aid kit?

In Australia, the requirements for workplace first aid kits are governed by state and territory legislation, as well as national guidelines.

While specific regulations may vary slightly depending on the jurisdiction, they generally align with the guidelines provided by Safe Work Australia.

According to Safe Work Australia, the Code of Practice for First Aid in the Workplace outlines the minimum requirements for first aid facilities and equipment, including first aid kits.

This code serves as a guideline for businesses to comply with their legal obligations regarding workplace health and safety.

Employers must provide access to:

First aid facilities
At least one first aid kit (per site, or in a vehicle if the job involves travelling to alternative locations to perform the work)
People trained in first aid

According to Safe Work, a standard workplace first aid kit should include:

First aid booklet with instructions for how to properly administer first aid including CPR
Notebook and pen
Resuscitation face mask or shield
Disposable, latex-free nitrile gloves
Non-stick Gauze pieces (at least 7.5 x 7.5 cm)
Saline – 15ml
Wound cleaning wipes
Adhesive dressing strips (band-aids) plastic or fabric
Disposable sterile splinter probes
Tweezers/Forceps
Antiseptic spray – 50 ml
Non-adherent dressing in small (5 x 5 cm), medium (7.5 x 10 cm), and large (10 x 10 cm)
Conforming bandages in, 5 cm, 7.5 cm widths
Crepe bandages (10 cm) for heavy bleeding
Scissors
Non-stretch, hypoallergenic adhesive tape (2.5 cm width)
Safety pins
BPC wound dressing pads – no. 14 (medium) and no. 15 (large)
Wound dressing – Combine Dressing Pad 9 x 20 cm
Plastic bags with clip seals
A triangular bandage (calico or cotton, minimum 90 cm in width)
Thermal blanket
Single-use eye pads
3.5 gm sachets of hydrogel burn gel. Note: gel sachets should only be used when clean running water is not available.
Instant cold pack