Are Workplace First Aid Kits Required?

Workplace safety regulations in British Columbia mandate the use of certain BC regulation first aid kits that vary based on the number of employees, the location of the workplace, and any occupational hazards present. Companies that do not comply with these regulations can face a fine, while also putting employees at risk of injury.

Why Do You Need a Workplace First Aid Kit?

As a business owner, you are responsible for the safety of your employees and must be able to provide emergency care in the event that someone is injured on the job. In some cases, depending on the size and type of the business, business owners may also be required to select and train a safety officer to administer first aid to injured employees.

How Many First Aid Kits are Required in the Workplace?

All Canadian companies must have at least one full basic first aid kit in every area where people are working, including work vehicles. This means that there should be at least one first aid kit on each floor of a multi-level building. Companies that have more than 50 employees should have at least two first aid kits and, for every additional 50 employees, another first aid kit should be provided.

Where Should You Keep a First Aid Kit?

Whenever possible, first aid kits should be kept close to a sink with both hot and cold running water and in close proximity to clean towels. In areas where no sink is available, first aid kits should contain sterile saline solution or wipes, as well as hand sanitizer. First aid kits should also be kept close to areas of the workplace that contain special hazards, such as heavy machinery.

What Items Are Found in a First Aid Kit?

While most first aid kits contain the majority of the same first aid supplies, the contents of the first aid kit for your particular business will depend on the circumstances and hazards of your workplace, as well as the number of employees on site.

Basic First Aid Kits

Basic first aid kits should be used in workplaces that have 2-10 workers on shift in a low to high risk environment and close proximity to a hospital. All items in these first aid kits must be kept clean and dry, as well as ready to take to the scene of an accident. First aid supplies found in a basic first aid kit include:

• 12 wound cleaning towelettes (individually packaged)—14 cm x 19 cm
• 30 hand cleansing towelettes (individually packaged)
• 50 sterile adhesive dressings of assorted sizes (individually wrapped)
• 6 sterile gauze dressings (individually packaged)—10 cm x 10 cm
• 2 sterile pressure dressings with crepe ties—10 cm x 16.5 cm
• 2 sterile abdominal dressings (individually packaged)—20 cm x 25 cm
• 4 cotton triangular bandages with a minimum base length of 1.25 m
• 2 safety pins
• Stainless steel bandage scissors or universal scissors—14 cm
• 1 set of stainless-steel silver forceps—11.5 cm
• 6 cotton tip applicators
• 1 roll of adhesive tape—2.5 cm x 4.5 m
• 1 crepe roller bandage—7.5 cm x 4.5 m
• 1 pocket mask with a one-way valve and oxygen inlet
• 6 pairs of medical gloves (preferably non-latex)
• 1 instruction card advising the worker to report any injuries to the employer for first aid records and instructions on how to call for assistance

Level 2 First Aid Kits

Similar to level 1 first aid kits, level 2 first aid kits can be used in low to high risk work environments, depending on the number of workers and the distance from the hospital. All items in these first aid kits must be kept dry and clean and should be ready to take to the scene of an accident at all times. A weatherproof container is recommended for storing all items, except the blankets which need to be readily available to the first aid attendant. First aid items in a level 2 first aid kit include:

• 3 blankets
• 24 wound cleaning towelettes (individually packaged)—14 cm x 19 cm
• 150 sterile adhesive dressings of assorted sizes (individually wrapped)
• 12 sterile gauze dressings (individually packaged)—10 cm x 10 cm
• 4 sterile pressure dressings with crepe ties—10 cm x 16.5 cm
• 10 sterile abdominal dressings (individually packaged)—20 cm x 25 cm
• 12 cotton triangular bandages with a minimum base length of 1.25 m
• 2 rolls of adhesive tape—2.5 cm x 4.5 m
• 6 crepe roller bandages—7.5 cm x 4.5 m
• Sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution (saline)— 500 mL unbreakable container
• Liquid antibacterial soap—60 mL unbreakable container
• 1 pair of universal scissors
• 1 set of stainless-steel silver forceps—11.5 cm
• 1 penlight or flashlight with batteries
• 1 Esmarch gum rubber bandage—7.5 cm x 4.5 m
• 6 pairs of medical gloves (preferably non-latex)
• 1 portable oxygen therapy unit consisting of cylinders of compressed oxygen, a pressure regulator, a pressure gauge, a flow meter, and a non-rebreathing mask
• 1 oropharyngeal airway kit
• 1 manually operated self-inflating bag-valve mask unit with an oxygen reservoir
• 6 patient assessment charts
• First aid records and pen
• 1 pocket mask with a one-way valve and oxygen inlet

Level 3 First Aid Kits

Level 3 first aid kits are also used in low to high risk environments, depending on the number of workers and proximity to a hospital. These first aid kits are the same as level 2 first aid kits with the addition of 1 portable suction unit.