First Aid Kit Checks
A first aid kit is only useful if it’s ready when you need it. In an emergency, even a small delay caused by missing or out-of-date supplies can make a crucial difference to the outcome. Checking your first aid kits isn’t just a box-ticking exercise — it’s an essential part of keeping your staff, visitors, contractors and partners safe.
Why Checking Your First Aid Kits Regularly Is So Important
Whether you’re running a school, office, workshop or construction site, regular first aid kit inspections help ensure you always have the right equipment in the right condition. They also demonstrate compliance with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, showing that you take your duty of care seriously and have effective arrangements in place to deal with workplace injuries or medical incidents.
Regular checks reduce risk, increase confidence in your emergency response, and build a culture of preparedness and care throughout your organisation — simple actions that make a lasting difference when it really counts.
Five Good Reasons to Check Your First Aid Kits
1. Items Expire or Deteriorate Over Time
It’s easy to overlook expiry dates, but many first aid items — including bandages, sterile dressings, saline eye wash, gloves and wipes — have a limited shelf life. Once these dates pass, the contents may no longer be sterile or effective. Over time, dressings can dry out or tear, adhesive products may lose their ability to stick, and plastic packaging can become brittle if stored in fluctuating temperatures.
Expired supplies can also deteriorate or lose their integrity, making them less reliable when used. For instance, plasters can lose their stickiness and no longer adhere properly, leaving wounds exposed to unsterile environments or bacteria. Similarly, disposable gloves can dry out, reducing their elasticity and causing them to become brittle or split, which significantly reduces their ability to protect the user. This increases the risk of contamination.
By checking kits regularly, you can remove expired or deteriorated items before they become unusable and ensure that every product inside the kit will perform as intended in an emergency. It’s a simple habit that helps you stay prepared, hygienic and compliant.
2. Missing or Used Items Go Unnoticed
Minor cuts, scrapes, and small incidents often result in first aid kits being opened for everyday use — and it’s common for items not to be replaced immediately. Over time, this can leave the kit depleted or missing key contents.
A structured inspection schedule ensures that supplies are restocked before a shortage occurs. By identifying missing or low-stock items early, you prevent delays during a real emergency. Many organisations choose to keep a small supply of refills or spares in storage to make replenishment quicker and easier.
3. Standards and Regulations Require It
The Health and Safety (First‑Aid) Regulations 1981 oblige employers to provide “adequate and appropriate equipment” for first aid — meaning properly stocked kits and ongoing maintenance.
In addition, ISO 45001:2018 Clause 8.2 establishes that organisations must establish, implement and maintain processes needed to prepare for and respond to potential emergency situations — which explicitly includes the “provision of emergency first-aid” and “first-aid kits and supplies”.
Regular checks help you demonstrate compliance with both legislation and international standards, providing clear evidence that your organisation
4. Kits Can Become Damaged or Contaminated
Even when a first aid kit isn’t being used, it’s still exposed to wear and tear. Boxes can crack, seals can fail, or moisture and dust can find their way inside — particularly in busy or industrial environments. Items stored in vehicles or outdoor areas are also more prone to temperature fluctuations that can cause packaging to split or adhesive products to deteriorate.
Regular checks allow you to spot signs of damage, contamination or poor storage before they compromise the contents. Opening each kit to ensure everything is clean, sealed and clearly labelled helps maintain hygiene standards and ensures sterility in the event of an emergency.
By inspecting the physical condition of your kits alongside their contents, you can be confident that your first aid supplies are safe, accessible and ready to use whenever they’re needed.
5. Regular Checks Keep Your Emergency Response Robust
When someone is injured, hesitation can cost valuable time. If a first aid kit is missing key items or its contents are damaged, even a small delay can make a big difference. Routine checks make sure kits are fully stocked, clearly labelled and easy to access — removing uncertainty and ensuring that your emergency response is robust. Giving first aiders confidence in the kit and enabling them to respond decisively and effectively when it matters most.
How Often Should You Check Your First Aid Kits?
Most workplaces benefit from weekly visual inspections and a formal recorded check every month. High-risk environments may require more frequent checks.
It is advisable to keep a log showing when each kit was inspected, what was replaced, and who carried out the check. Keeping accurate records helps demonstrate compliance and ensures that your first aid arrangements are properly managed and maintained.
Maintaining Records and Compliance
Accurate record-keeping supports both legal compliance and continuous improvement. Our free BS 8599-1:2019 First Aid Kit Checklists include ready-to-use record sheets and clear contents guides for every kit size, helping you track inspections efficiently and stay aligned with current UK standards:
Each checklist makes it simple to verify contents, record inspections and plan replenishment — ensuring your first aid provision remains complete, compliant and ready for use at all times.
How Practical Safety Ltd Can Help
At Practical Safety Ltd, we specialise in helping organisations meet their first aid and workplace safety obligations with confidence. Our team provides:
- Workplace first aid assessments to determine the type and number of kits required.
- BS 8599-1 compliant kits and refills tailored to your environment and risk level.
- On-site and blended first aid training delivered by qualified instructors.
- Compliance audits and documentation support to help you demonstrate due diligence under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and ISO 45001.
Whether you’re reviewing your existing provision or setting up new first aid arrangements, we’ll ensure your organisation remains prepared, compliant and protected.
Contact us today to arrange a free consultation or discuss your requirements.
Conclusion
Regular first aid kit checks are a simple yet vital part of maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. Taking the time to inspect, record and replenish your kits not only ensures readiness in an emergency but also reinforces a culture of care and responsibility across your organisation.
Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
*Disclaimer: This blog post is intended to provide general information purposes only. It should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice. Employers should always consult the relevant UK legislation and, where necessary, seek competent health and safety advice tailored to their specific circumstances. Employers are also responsible for conducting their own first aid needs assessment in accordance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Practical Safety Ltd aims to avoid, but accepts no liability, in the case that any information stated is incorrect, incomplete, or out of date. Any free resources provided by Practical Safety Ltd are offered for general information purposes only and are used entirely at the user’s own risk.
