First Aid Kit Essentials — What Every Irish Workplace Needs

A first aid kit that hasn't been reviewed since it was first installed is one of the most common workplace safety gaps — and one of the easiest to fix.

HSA guidance, not just a generic kit. The Health and Safety Authority provides guidance on what workplace first aid provision should include, but the right kit depends on your specific workplace — an office has different needs than a warehouse or manufacturing site.

Core contents to check for:

• Adhesive plasters and dressings in various sizes
• Sterile eye pads
• Triangular bandages
• Disposable gloves
• Guidance leaflet on first aid procedures
• Safety pins and scissors

Match kit size to headcount and risk. A small office kit isn't sufficient for a larger site or one with higher physical risk — the number of employees and the nature of the work should both inform kit size and placement.

Restocking is the part that gets missed. Kits get used, items expire, and without a regular review process, a business can end up with a first aid kit that looks compliant but isn't actually usable in an emergency.

Appointed first aiders. Depending on your business size and risk category, you may be required to have a trained first aider on site, not just a kit on the wall.

Our First Aid range includes HSA-aligned workplace kits and refill options, with support available for trade account customers managing multi-site stock.