According to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993, any workplace employing more than five employees is required to have a first aid box on site.
Specifically, General Safety Regulation 3 states the following:
Section 3(2): “Where more than five employees are employed at a workplace, the employer of such employees shall provide a first aid box or boxes at or near the workplace which shall be available and accessible for the treatment of injured persons at that workplace.”
Even if you employ fewer than five people, it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit handy. All employers have a moral obligation to look after the health and safety of their employees, and part of that duty includes providing basic first aid supplies.
What is a Regulation 3 first aid kit?
The minimum required items for an OHS Act-compliant first aid kit are listed in the Annexure to General Safety Regulation 3. A kit containing these first aid box items is known as a ‘Regulation 3 first aid kit’.
To ensure that your workplace is compliant with the OHS Act, include the following first aid box items in your kit:
- Item 1: Wound cleaner/antiseptic (100 ml)
- Item 2: Swabs for cleaning wounds
- Item 3: Cotton wool for padding (100 g)
- Item 4: Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10)
- Item 5: 1 pair of forceps (for splinters)
- Item 6: 1 pair of scissors (minimum size 100 mm)
- Item 7: 1 set of safety pins
- Item 8: 4 triangular bandages
- Item 9: 4 roller bandages (75 mm x 5 m)
- Item 10: 4 roller bandages (100 mm x 5 m)
- Item 11: 1 roll of elastic adhesive (25 mm x 3 m)
- Item 12: non-allergenic adhesive strip (25 mm x 3 m)
- Item 13: 1 packet of adhesive dressing strips (minimum 10 assorted sizes)
- Item 14: 4 first aid dressings (75 mm x 100 mm)
- Item 15: 4 first aid dressings (150 mm x 200 mm)
- Item 16: 2 straight splints
- Item 17: 2 pairs of large disposable latex gloves
- Item 18: 2 pairs of medium disposable latex gloves
- Item 19: 2 CPR mouthpieces or similar devices
What’s the difference between Regulation 3 and Regulation 7 first aid kits?
While the General Safety Regulations of the OHS Act clearly outline the required contents of a Regulation 3 first aid kit, there’s no definitive description of what needs to be included in a ‘Regulation 7 first aid kit’. However, a ‘Regulation 7 first aid kit’ is an industry-standard term used by health and safety professionals and suppliers to describe first aid kits that include additional items required to clean up blood and bodily fluids.
In addition to the first aid supplies included in a standard Regulation 3 first aid kit, Regulation 7 first aid boxes may contain the following extra items:
- Plastic disposable apron
- Plastic biohazard bag
- Paper towels
- Plastic bags
- Alcohol swabs and sanitizer
- Absorbent granules
- High risk gloves
How many Regulation 3 first aid boxes do you need to provide?
The OHS Act states that the number of first aid boxes businesses need to have on site depends on the number of employees, risk level of the work performed, and the injuries likely to be sustained.
As a general rule of thumb, it is advisable to supply one first aid kit per 50 employees. In multi-level buildings, ensure that there is at least one first aid kit available on each floor. In higher-risk industries, it may be necessary to provide one first aid kit per department, work area, or risk zone.
Display clear signage to make first aid boxes easy to locate
General Safety Regulation 3 stipulates that first aid boxes need to have clear and prominent safety signage indicating their location:
“3(6) An employer shall affix a prominent notice or sign in a conspicuous place at a workplace, indicating where the first aid box or boxes are kept as well as the name of the person in charge of such first aid box or boxes.”
Affix safety signage displaying a green cross with a green arrow pointing down above your first aid box. In addition, provide the name, extension number, and if possible, mobile number of the First Aider(s) in charge of the area along with your first aid kit.
Purchase a complete Regulation 7 first aid kit
There’s no need to manually put together your own first aid kit from scratch. Absolute Health Services stocks Regulation 7 first aid kits, available in either nylon bags or steel boxes. We also supply first aid regulation refill kits (just the contents of the kit, excluding the bag or box).
Check and restock your first aid box items regularly
It’s advisable to check your first aid kit contents against a checklist once every three months, as well as after any incident in which first aid supplies were used. Replace any used items and be sure to check the expiry dates of items like BurnShield or cetrimide (antiseptic) solution.
First aid box seals make it easy for First Aiders and Health and Safety Representatives to quickly ascertain whether a first aid kit has been opened, used, or tampered with, prompting them to re-check the contents.
Download our First Aid Box Essentials Checklist
Use our downloadable First Aid Box Essentials Checklist to quickly and easily assess the contents of your first aid kit, ensuring that you’re compliant with the OHS Act and ready to deal with injuries and emergencies.
