First Aid BoxesAll businesses must provide an adequately stocked first aid box in accordance with the health and safety first aid regulations 1981. 
Identifying first aid boxes or containers
First aid boxes or similar containers such as cupboards or bags, must be clearly identified by a white cross on a green background in accordance with the Safety Signs Regulations 1996.
Suitable containers
The first aid box or container must be made of a suitable material and designed to protect the contents from damp and dust.
Contents of first aid boxes
First aid boxes should contain only the following items:
| Items |
Number of employees |
| 1-5 |
6-10 |
11-50 |
51-100 |
101-150 |
|
Guidance card
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Individually wrapped sterile
adhesive dressings |
10 |
20 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Sterile eye pads with attachment
|
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
Triangular bandages
|
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
Sterile coverings for serious wounds
(where applicable) |
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
Safety pins
|
6 |
6 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
Medium sized sterile unmedicated dressings
|
3 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
Large sized sterile unmedicated dressings
|
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
10 |
Extra large sized sterile unmedicated dressings
|
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
Sterile water supply
If clean tap water is not available near the first aid box, sterile water or saline must be provided in disposable containers in the following quantities:
| Items |
Number of employees |
| 1-10 |
11-50 |
51-100 |
101-150 |
| Sterile water or saline in disposable containers |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
First aid for food businesses
Food businesses should not use flesh coloured plasters. Only blue catering plasters or highly visible plasters should be provided.
Antiseptic creams, lotions or sprays should not be used. More detailed information is available on  Health and Safety Executive website.
Contact us
Occupational health and safety team
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 3077
ohs@southwark.gov.uk
Chaplin Centre
Thurlow Street
London
SE17 2DG
Office hours:
8.30am - 5.00pm
Monday to Friday |