Crest Medical HSE Buyer Guide

Legal Requirements and Implications

First aid provisions aren’t just a requirement of law, but it is also crucial for your customers to provide a safe working environment for their staff. They could face penalties, including prosecution or unlimited fines, if they choose not to comply with HSE guidance. There is a helpful HSE assessment that business owners and employers can use if they are unsure of what they are legally required to provide. With ongoing changes to workplace legislation and health and safety guidance, as well as medical product use-by dates, your customers should consider the possibility that these kits aren’t as compliant and fit for purpose as intended should, a first aid emergency occur.

First Aid Kit Sizes

Having a fully stocked first aid kit on site that is appropriate for the size of the workforce is a health and legislative requirement that most employers and business-owners are familiar with. There are lots of ready-made first aid kits in a range of sizes, supplied in convenient and portable cases or storage bags, that can be easily purchased and stored within the workplace.

HSE compliant first aid kits are designed to meet the first aid needs of a specific number of people, coming in sizes for 1-10 persons, 1-20 persons or 1-50 persons and contain specific components. This system means that your customers can ensure they have the right provision by combining kits to reach the total workforce number.

If you have customers in more complex industries that carry a higher first aid risk profile, they may wish to consider BSI-compliant first aid supplies which comply to BS 8599-1 (2019), which are available in small, medium and large kits. It is also important to note that first aid kids should be easily accessible, meaning your customers may need more first aid kits, due to the size of their workspace - examples of workspaces that may require multiple first aid kits include multi-story offices, warehouses, and outdoor working areas.

HSE or BS 8599-1 (2019)?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a detailed list of recommended products that should, as a minimum, be in a workplace first-aid kit. For better levels of readiness, the BSI provides a list of recommended items and minimum quantities based on business profile and size of workforce. BSI compliant first aid kits cover HSE requirements, while containing extra components: tape; burn dressings; foil blankets, finger dressings; scissors and extra washproof plasters.

First Aid Reviews

It’s helpful to recommend that your customers regularly review their first aid supplies to remain compliant. Many employers now offer hybrid working or have change the size of their workforce, all of which can impact the first aid provisions they are expected to have available and in turn, which you may wish to stock. Businesses still have a responsibility to protect their staff, although out of office staff don't need HSE kits by law.

Helping You Succeed

At Crest Medical we offer an award-winning and extensive range of individual first aid products across of our range. We have made it easy and simple to target the supplies your customers regularly with our first aid kit refills. These result in less waste, helping you and your customers with sustainability commitments, all while offering the potential for greater margins. Speak to your account manager for more information.

FAQs

Question:

Do catering businesses need different first aid kits?

Answer:

There are specific HSE guidelines for catering businesses, outlining the need or blue detectable plasters and blue gloves. There are catering first aid kits available for both HSE and BSI compliance, but additional items such as burn kits or eye wash kits may be also appropriate in these environments. Speak to your account manager if you are unsure on which type of kit you need to stock.

Question:

What goes in HSE and BSi compliant first aid kits?

Answer:

HSE first aid kits contain varying quantities of the following: first aid guidance leaflets, plasters, eye pads, triangular bandage, safety pins, medium dressings, large dressings, wound cleansing wipes, gloves.

BS 8599-1 (2019) first aid kits include additional tape, burn dressings, foil blankets, finger dressings, and scissors as well as, more plasters.

Question:

Do businesses only need to cover staff while on-site?

Answer:

Businesses have an obligation to look after flexible workers including those who spend long periods out of the office, for example driving. While there is no legal requirement to have first aid kits in cars in the UK, assessments may find that a business should buy first aid kits for company cars and other fleet vehicles.

There is also a standard for vehicle kits; BS-8599-2 which says different kits that are needed for passenger carrying vehicles: