NEW BS-8599 British Standard Workplace First Aid Kits

The NEW Standard  The changes of the BS8599 are effective from 30th June 2011 with a transitional introduction period until 31st December 2011.

The Old Standard  It replaces the old standard BHTA-HSE 10, 20, and 50 person kits, that are currently universally used in the UK, and are based on the HSE guidelines.  The current BHTA standard was published in 1997, and is long overdue a review. The BHTA standard will be withdrawn from 31st December 2011.

 Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations 1981 states:-

“An employer shall provide or ensure that there are provided such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for enabling first aid to be rendered to his employees if they are injured or become ill at work”

 …The new BSi first aid kits are now the only safe and clear way for an employer to meet their obligations….

Why did we need a new standard?

Despite many EU states having a national standard for workplace first aid kits, until now, the  UK did not. The BHTA guidelines, established in 1997 were in need of revision because training protocols having changed, there are heightened concerns with infection control, and new technology is now available at affordable prices

There were only 1 pair of gloves in a 10 person kit – yet 33 dressings.

There were 4 triangular bandages – even though the training protocols no longer indicate there use for immobilisation of lower limb fractures.

Burn gel dressings are extensively used in first aid – now very available and affordable.

The new kits have good quantities of plasters and wipes, a common criticism of old ones. 

 

CATEGORY OF HAZARD	NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES	NUMBER & SIZE OF FIRST AID KITS REQUIRED
LOW HAZARD e.g. Shops, Offices, Libraries etc.	Less than 25 25 – 100 More than 100	Small size kit Medium size kit 1 Large kit per 100 Employees
HIGH HAZARD e.g. Light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacture etc.	Less than 5 5 – 25 More than 25	Small size kit Medium size kit 1 Large kit per 25 Employees

   

 

BSI Contents	SMALL	MEDIUM	LARGE	TRAVEL
Guidance Leaflet	1	1	1	1
Waterproof Asstd Plasters	40	60	100	10
Eye pads dressing with sterile bandage	2	3	4	-
Single use Triangular bandages 90cm x 127cm	2	3	4	1
Asstd safety pins	6	12	24	2
Medium HSE dressings 12cm x 12cm sterile unboxed	4	6	8	1
Large HSE dressings 18cm x 18cm sterile unboxed	1	2	2	1
Individual wrapped cleansing wipes	20	30	40	4
Disposable Nitrile gloves (pairs)	6	9	12	1
Resuscitation device with valve	1	1	2	1
Finger dressing with adhesive fixings 3.5cm	2	3	4	-
Conforming bandage 7.5cm x 4m	1	2	2	1
Microporous taps 2.5cm x 10m	1	1	1	1
Burn relief dressing 10cm x 10cm	1	2	2	1
Foil blanket - adult size	1	2	3	1
Eye wash 250ml	-	-	-	1
Universal shears small 6"	1	1	1	1