British Standard vs HSE: Which First Aid Kit Should You Choose?

In 2015, the HSE revised its First Aid at Work – Guidance on Regulations, updating its recommendations for the contents of workplace first aid kits. As part of this guidance, the HSE advises employers to refer to British Standard BS 8599-1:2019 for more detailed information on what a workplace first aid kit should contain.

This standard outlines the minimum recommended contents for first aid kits and also provides guidance on the appropriate size and number of kits needed, based on the number of employees and the level of workplace risk.

What distinguishes BS 8599-1 First Aid Kits from HSE Kits

• An increased number of disposable gloves, and they must be nitrile, which eliminates the risk of latex allergies.
• A decreased number of triangular bandages, as they are no longer recommended to immobilise injured limbs.
• Smaller, absorbent wound dressings for finger injuries are included.
• Water based, sterile gel burn dressing to provide effective first aid for burns.
• Clothing cutters are included to cut bandages and remove clothing from around a wound.
• Resuscitation face shields are included to provide a protective barrier for administering mouth to mouth resuscitation.
• Heat-reflecting foil survival blankets are included to help keep a casualty warm in cases of shock or exposure to cold temperatures.
• Sterile saline wipes are included instead of alcohol-free wipes, meaning they can now be used on broken skin.

The main difference is that the HSE first aid kit provides the legal minimum required contents as specified by guidance that has not been updated since the 1980s, while the British Standard (BS 8599-1) kit is a more comprehensive, modern standard that accounts for a wider range of workplace risks. The British Standard kit is considered best practice and is explicitly referred to by the HSE in its guidance, though it is not a mandatory legal requirement.