Is a first aid kit compulsory at work? What the law says

“Am I required to have a first aid kit?” The answer is yes — but not in the form of a single simple checklist that is identical for every business.

A requirement tailored to the risk

The Code on Well-being at Work requires every employer to provide first aid facilities proportionate to the risks present in the workplace. An office with ten administrative employees has different needs from a construction site with heavy machinery, or a kitchen with knives, hot surfaces and slippery floors. There is no uniform list that is identical for everyone — but there is an obligation that is assessed against your specific situation during an inspection.

What is expected of you in practice?

• Appropriate first aid supplies, accessible and visibly present in the workplace.
• At least one first aider who knows what to do in an accident, suited to the size and risk profile of your business.
• Internal emergency procedures: who does what, who calls 112, where the first aid kit is mounted, who guides the emergency services inside.
• Up-to-date supplies: expired plasters or an empty first aid box do not count as “facilities”.

Why this is more than a compulsory box to tick

Apart from the legal side, there is a practical reason to take this seriously: in the first minutes of an accident, you or a colleague are the only first aider on the scene. A clear, visual approach — such as action cards for each type of emergency — ensures that everyone, including those without training, can take the right first steps without searching through a thick manual.

Unsure whether you comply?

A quick self-check: does every employee know where the first aid kit is mounted? Is there a clear procedure for an accident? Have the supplies been checked recently? Doubt about any of these questions is often a sign that you should have your arrangements reviewed.