The BSI workplace first aid kit (BS8599-1) content has been under review to ensure the contents are still suitable and fit for purpose. Modern risk and injuries have been taken into consideration by the BSI and other stakeholders such as the BHTA.
The new regulation is titled BS8599-1:2019.
The current advice regarding workplace first aid kits is as follows:
Category of hazard Number of employees Size of first aid kit
Low hazard Less than 25 Small size kit
25-100 Medium size kit
More than 100 1 large kit per 100 employees
High hazard Less than 5 Small size kit
5-25 Medium size kit
More than 25 1 large kit per 25 employees
Following this review there have been some amendments to the existing kit contents and also the introduction of two new kits; a Personal Injury Kit and a Critical Injury Pack.
What’s changed?
Two new kits, a Personal Issue Kit and a Critical Injury Pack. Both kits will be BS8599-1:2019 compliant
BS8599-1 Travel Kit has been replaced by BS8599-2 Medium Travel and Motoring Kit
Minor changes to the workplace first aid kits Small, Medium and Large
What’s new?
The Critical Injury Packs and the Personal Issue Kits are the first of their kind to meet BSI regulations; born from the concern of heightened risk for mass casualty situations. The Critical Injury Packs are designed for anywhere a person may suffer with a severe injury. The kits would be ideal for people working in manufacturing and machinery or construction and forestry. The content included will help to manage severe blood loss. We recommend conducting a risk assessment to decide the appropriate amounts of Critical Injury Packs are provided for both employees and the public in that location at any one time.
What are the contents for the new BS8599-1:2019 compliant first aid kits?
BS8599-1:2019 has 6 compliant first aid kits, workplace in small, medium and large, travel and motoring kit, a personal issue kit and a critical injury pack. Please see contents listed below for each.
BS8599-1:2019 Workplace First Aid Kit Small Contents:
Guidance Leaflet x 1
Contents Label x 1
Medium 12 x 12cm Dressing x 2
Large 18 x 18cm Dressing x 2
Triangular Bandage x 2
No.16 Eye Pad and Bandage x 2
Assorted Washproof Plasters x 40
Moist Cleansing Wipes x 20
Microporous Tape 2.5cm x 10m x 1
Nitrile Gloves (Pairs) x 6
Finger Dressing 3.5cm x 3.5cm x 2
Resusciade x 1
Foil Blanket x 1
Burn Dressing 10cm x 10cm x 1
Heavy Duty Clothing Shears x 1
Conforming Bandage 7.5cm x 4m x 1
BS8599-1:2019 Workplace First Aid Kit Medium Contents:
Guidance Leaflet x 1
Contents Label x 1
Medium 12 x 12cm Dressing x 4
Large 18 x 18cm Dressing x 3
Triangular Bandage x 3
No.16 Eye Pad and Bandage x 3
Assorted Washproof Plasters x 60
Moist Cleansing Wipes x 30
Microporous Tape 2.5cm x 10m x 2
Nitrile Gloves (Pairs) x 9
Finger Dressing 3.5cm x 3.5cm x 3
Resusciade x 1
Foil Blanket x 2
Burn Dressing 10cm x 10cm x 2
Heavy Duty Clothing Shears x 1
Conforming Bandage 7.5cm x 4m x 2
BS8599-1:2019 Workplace First Aid Kit Large Contents:
Guidance Leaflet x 1
Contents Label x 1
Medium 12 x 12cm Dressing x 6
Large 18 x 18cm Dressing x 4
Triangular Bandage x 4
No.16 Eye Pad and Bandage x 4
Assorted Washproof Plasters x 100
Moist Cleansing Wipes x 40
Microporous Tape 2.5cm x 10m x 3
Nitrile Gloves (Pairs) x 12
Finger Dressing 3.5cm x 3.5cm x 4
Resusciade x 2
Foil Blanket x 3
Burn Dressing 10cm x 10cm x 2
Heavy Duty Clothing Shears x 1
Conforming Bandage 7.5cm x 4m x 2
BS8599-1:2019 Travel and Motoring First Aid Kit Contents:
Guidance Leaflet x 1
Contents Label x 1
Medium 12 x 12cm Dressing x 1
Triangular Bandage x 1
Washproof Plasters x 10
Moist Cleansing Wipes x 10
Nitrile Gloves (Pair) x 2
Resusciade x 1
Foil Blanket x 1
Burn Dressing 10cm x 10cm x 2
Heavy Duty Clothing Shears x 1
Low Adherent Wound Pad 7cm x 6cm x 1
Trauma Dressing 10cm x 18cm x 1
BS8599-1:2019 Personal Issue First Aid Kit Contents:
Guidance Leaflet x 1
Contents Label x 1
Large 18cm x 18cm Dressing x 1
Triangular Bandage x 1
Washproof Plasters x 10
Moist Cleansing Wipes x 4
Nitrile Gloves (Pair) x 2
Resusciade x 1
Heavy Duty Clothing Shears x 1
Foil Blanket x 1
BS8599-1:2019 Critical Injury First Aid Kit Contents:
Guidance Leaflet x 1
Contents Label x 1
Nitrile Gloves (Pair) x 2
Heavy Duty Clothing Shears x 1
Large Trauma Dressing 15cm x 18cm x 2
Haemostatic Wound Dressing x 2
Tourniquet x 1
Foil Blanket x 1
What has changed with the new BS8599-1:2019 Compliant First Aid Kits content?
Please see below list of summarised changes from the BS8599-1:2011 kit content to the new BS8599-1:2019 kit content:
BS8599-1:2019 Workplace First Aid Kit Small Content Changes:
Fewer Medium 12 x 12cm Dressings – reduction from 4 units to 2
More Large 18 x 18cm Dressing – increase from 1 unit to 2
Removal of safety pins
BS8599-1:2019 Workplace First Aid Kit Medium Content Changes:
Fewer Medium 12 x 12cm Dressings – reduction from 6 units to 4
More Large 18 x 18cm Dressing – increase from 2 units to 3
More microporous tape – increase from 1 roll to 2
Removal of safety pins
BS8599-1:2019 Workplace First Aid Kit Large Content Changes:
Fewer Medium 12 x 12cm Dressings – reduction from 8 units to 6
More Large 18 x 18cm Dressing – increase from 2 units to 4
More microporous tape – increase from 1 roll to 3
Removal of safety pins
The BS8599-1:2011 Compliant Travel First Aid Kit has been completely replaced by the content below. This now forms the BS8599-1:2019 Compliant Travel and Motoring Kit:
Guidance Leaflet x 1
Contents Label x 1
Medium 12 x 12cm Dressing x 1
Triangular Bandage x 1
Washproof Plasters x 10
Moist Cleansing Wipes x 10
Nitrile Gloves (Pair) x 2
Resusciade x 1
Foil Blanket x 1
Burn Dressing 10cm x 10cm x 2
Heavy Duty Clothing Shears x 1
Low Adherent Wound Pad 7cm x 6cm x 1
Trauma Dressing 10cm x 18cm x 1
When do the New BS8599-1:2019 Compliant First Aid Kits take effect?
Manufacturers have a year to update their products to the new standard meaning any existing stock will still meet the current British Standard.
How can we help?
Train Direct can help you meet the latest regulations and we’re willing to support you as your chosen first aid provider. Call us on 0330 223 5596 if you have any questions about these new kits and we’ll be happy to help.