If someone is injured or taken ill in any workplace, would you have the equipment, facilities, and personnel to provide them with the instant care they need?
First Aid Room
With over 70,000 non-fatal injures in the UK workplace every year, learn about the importance of first aid rooms and what supplies to stock.
As an employer, you must make arrangements to ensure that employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 state that "employers should provide a suitable first aid room or rooms where the assessment of first aid needs identifies this as necessary. The first aid room(s) should contain essential first aid equipment, be easily accessible to stretchers and be clearly signposted and identified. If possible, the room(s) should be reserved exclusively for giving first aid".
First Aid Room Requirements
A well-designed first aid room should contain the essential first aid kit, as well as providing a suitable workplace environment where employees can be treated. They are usually necessary in workplaces where there are higher levels of risk, such as chemical industries or on large construction sites and in larger premises that are a distance away from medical services. A designated person should be given the responsibility for supervising it and the room should be clearly signposted and identified by white lettering or symbols on a green background.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) first aid rooms should:
- Be large enough to hold an examination/medical couch, with enough space at each side for people to work, a chair, and any necessary additional equipment
- Have washable surfaces and be kept clean, tidy, accessible, and available for use at any time when employees are at work
- Have adequate heating, ventilation, and lighting
- Have a sink with hot and cold running water
- Be positioned as near as possible to a point of access for transport to hospital
- Display a notice on the door displaying the names, locations and, if applicable, the contact details of trained first aiders
If the first aid room(s) cannot be reserved exclusively for giving first aid, employers need to make sure that the first aid facilities can be made available quickly if necessary.
First Aid Room Contents
Employers should carry out an assessment of first aid needs within their workplace to determine what facilities to provide.
We've designed our own first aid room to the right to offer some general guidance on the supplies and furniture you may wish to consider including in your own first aid room.
Additional Items Required for First Aid Rooms
- A sink with running hot and cold water always available
- Smooth topped working surfaces
- Soap and paper towels
- Frequently cleaned pillows and blankets
- Suitable refuse containers lined with a disposable plastic bag
- Clean protective garments for use by first aiders
Complete First Aid Rooms
For a simple and easy way to set up a functional first aid room in your premises, check out our complete first aid rooms below...
More from Arco
Our Range
Accidents or illness at work can happen at any time, so you need be prepared and have the right first aid kit and supplies available. Choose from our comprehensive range of first aid products.
Advice and Support
Learn about the key considerations you need to review when assessing your workplace first aid needs, including the correct first aid kit requirements and the number of trained personnel required.
Recommended Products
At Arco, we have a comprehensive range of first aid products that are compliant to the standards and offer different configurations and sizes to meet the needs of varying environments, risk levels and number of people exposed to those risks.
Code:55G1301
Reliance Medical Aura Small British-Standard First Aid Kit
£24.00
Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT
Code:55G8200
Reliance Medical Motokit Aura Large British-Standard Vehicle First Aid Kit
£47.99
Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT
Code:4F3012
Reliance Medical Scandi British-Standard Critical Injury Pack
£309.60
Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT
Code:55G0082
Evolution Electric Shock First Aid Point with Rescue Hook and Glove Dispenser
£422.40
Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT
Code:56C8040
COBAswitch Black Class 4 Electrical Safety Mat 5mm x 1m x 10m
£1,118.40
Roll | Ex VAT Inc VAT
Code:55G9600
Reliance Medical Aura Biohazard Sharps Disposal and Body Fluid Spill Kit
£52.14
Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT
Code:55A1863
Self-Adhesive Vinyl "In The Event of Accident/Illness..." Sign 200mm x 300mm
£11.75
Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT