What Should Be in a First Aid Room?

Every workplace should have a first aid room or area to house your first aid equipment, and to see to anyone with a first aid issue. But what should be in a first aid room? In a first aid room, there should be:

1. Record Book
2. First Aid Kit
3. Sink
4. Foot Operated Bin
5. Examination bench
6. Pharmacy Fridge

Before you fill your first aid room though, it’s important that you find a room or area within your building that is a suitable size for your workplace and the number of employees you need to cater for. If necessary, you should provide multiple first aid rooms if your workplace spans over a large area.

Your first aid room(s) also need to be fully accessible for all employees and include suitable first aid equipment for your industry. For example, if you work in the culinary or manufacturing industries, specialist equipment such as burns dressings and PPE should be available. 

So, let’s step into a standard first aid room, what should we expect to find? 

1. Record Book & List Of First Aiders 

Every company and organisation should have an accessible list of all the first aiders within your establishment, including contact details and where to find them. Every member should have training on how to access a first aider and the list should be on display in the first aid room. 

To make it clear to employees who the first aiders are, you can provide them with green first aider lanyards so they are quickly and easily identifiable to everyone. 

A first aid administration record book should also be accessible for first aiders to record who the patient is, why they needed first aid, what first aid was administered and the time of administration. This is crucial for accurately recording what has happened in case the incident progresses. 

2. First Aid Kit 

An appropriate first aid kit for your workplace should be the number one priority for your first aid area or room. Your first aid kit should be large enough to cater for your company size and tailored to fit your businesses’ needs. 

To find out what should be in your first aid kit, check our comprehensive list and instructions for reviewing your first aid kit here. 

3. Sink, Soap & Paper Towels

An access point to water is often forgotten when planning your first aid room, but it is a vital requirement for maintaining a high level of hygiene for colleagues administering first aid.

Access to both hot and cold water, soap and a paper towel dispenser should be made readily available in the first aid room or area, so first aiders can properly disinfect their hands before administering care. This is especially important when dressing an open wound as the first aider needs to ensure they keep the wound clean and clear, to achieve this, we would recommend supplying your first aid room with disposable gloves for extra safety. 

Employers should also ensure there is nearby access to drinking water and disposable cups to offer to patients, especially those who have experienced migraines, dizzy spells or anxiety attacks. 

4. Foot Operated Refuse Containers 

Administering first aid comes with a fair amount of waste, as most first aid products come with a protective plastic packaging that needs to be properly disposed of. Yet, first aiders don’t want to compromise the cleanliness of their hands by touching a bin lid, which is why foot operated refuse containers should be the waste disposal product of choice. 

A simple stainless steel pedal bin lined with a disposable bag will do the trick, an easy to operate and easy to clean bin to help keep the first aid room clean and organised. However, for clinical waste, a yellow clinical waste bag or container should be used to safely dispose of any medical dressings or equipment to avoid contamination. 

5. Medical Couch  

The largest piece of equipment necessary in a first aid room is a medical couch or examination bench with an easy to clean metal frame and vinyl padded upholstery for comfortable and cleanly use. 

An examination couch will provide a safe and clean area for patients to sit or lay down while their first aid is being administered, or while recovering from a health and safety incident.

Your first aid bed should be partnered with a disposable hygiene paper roll and, if pillows are provided, disposable pillowcases should also be available so you can ensure a safe, clean and hygienic medical environment. 

Note, having a disposable vomit bowl nearby the medical coach is always a wise idea. 

6. Pharmacy Fridge 

It is important to consider if anyone in your organisation requires medicine or ointments that need to be kept cool and secure. 

If so, you should provide a secure pharmacy fridge in a designated first aid room so your colleagues can safely store their medicine at work and rest assured that it will not get lost or contaminated in a general fridge. 

Pharmacy fridges should be regularly monitored and temperature tested to ensure the content of the fridge is kept at a stable temperature. 

For a full view of first aid room equipment, view our first aid room medical equipment page.  

Written by Laura Mallinson for Morsafe Supplies.