Most Australian workplaces have a first aid kit. Far fewer have a compliant one. Under model WHS laws, a business must provide first aid equipment suited to the size and risk of the workplace, keep it stocked and in date, and make sure people can actually find it. The good news: checking takes about five minutes.
Run through the five points below. Tick all five and you are sorted. Miss one and it is usually a quick fix.
1. Is your kit sized to your team and risk level?
A quiet office and a busy workshop do not need the same kit. Match the kit to your headcount and hazards - low-risk workplaces need the basics, higher-risk sites need more. Browse first aid kits by workplace size.
2. Are your dressings and bandages in date and stocked?
Dressings get used and expire. Check the wound dressings, adhesive strips and tape, and top up anything low or out of date. Restock bandages and dressings.
3. Is antiseptic and wound care ready to go?
Cuts and grazes are the most common workplace injury. Keep antiseptics and wound care stocked so a minor injury stays minor.
4. Are there disposable gloves in the kit - not the drawer?
Gloves protect the first aider and the injured person. They belong in the kit, not scattered around the office. Check your supply of disposable gloves.
5. Is your kit signposted so anyone could find it?
In an emergency, a visitor or new staff member needs to find the kit in seconds. Clear first aid signage is a small thing that matters when it counts.
That is the audit. If you ticked all five, your workplace first aid is in good shape. If a point or two needs attention, it is a two-minute fix - and we can help you get compliant fast. Tell us your team size and industry and we will put together a kit that meets your obligations.
