The Provision of First Aid Boxes at The Workplace

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Home › Health and Safety › The Provision of First Aid Boxes at

the Workplace
THE PROVISION OF FIRST AID BOXES

AT THE WORKPLACE
First Aid Boxes in the Workplace
Tinus Boshoff
We continue to receive enquiries relating to the

provision of first aid boxes at work. Regulation 3 (1) ; (2)
and (3) of the General Safety Regulations to the
Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993)
prescribes these requirements.
When should first aid be provided at the workplace?
The regulation states that ”an employer shall take all

reasonable steps that are necessary under the
circumstances, to ensure that persons at work receive
prompt first aid treatment in case of injury or
emergency.”
“All reasonable steps” includes the training of employees

in first aid skills by a recognized training
institution.Employees and other persons on the
workplace are entitled to receive prompt first aid
treatment without unnecessary delay.
When should first aid boxes be provided?
The Regulation makes provision that first aid facilities

must be provided ”Where more than five employees are
employed at a workplace”
Correct placement of the first aid boxes:
‘The employer must provide a first aid box or boxes at or

near the workplace, available and accessible for the
treatment of injured persons at that workplace.”
How many first aid boxes should be provided?
The number of boxes required should be determined by

the employer, taking the following into account:
the type of injuries that are likely to occur at a

workplace,
the nature of the activities performed and
the number of employees employed at such
workplace
What should the first aid box contain?
Suitable first aid equipment, as listed in the prescribed

Annexure. (You will find the Annexure at the back of the
General Administrative Regulations)
Annexure
Government Notice R.2245 of 7 August 1992
Minimum contents of a First Aid Box
In the case of shops and offices, the quantities stated

under items 1, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, and 18 may be reduced by
half.
Item 1
Wound cleaner / antiseptic (100ml)
Item 2
Swabs for cleaning wounds
Item 3
Cotton wool for padding (100g)
Item 4
Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10)
Item 5
1 pair of forceps (for splinters)
Item 6
1 pair of scissors (minimum size 100mm)
Item 7
1 set of safety pins
Item 8
4 triangular bandages
Item 9
4 roller bandages (75mm x 5m)
Item 10
4 roller bandages (100mm x 5m)
Item 11
1 roll of elastic adhesive (25mm x 3m)
Item 12
1 Non-allergenic adhesive strip (25mm x 3m)
Item 13
1 Packet of adhesive dressing strips (minimum quantity

10 assorted sizes)
Item 14
4 First aid dressing (75mm x 100mm)
Item 15
4 First aid dressings (150mm x 200mm)
Item 16
2 Straight splints
Item 17
2 Pairs large and 2 pairs medium disposable latex gloves
Item 18
2 CPR mouth pieces or similar devices
May the employer keep any other articles or

substances like painkillers and vitamins in the firth
aid box?
Regulation 3 states that the employer must ensure that

only articles and equipment as mentioned above or
other similar equipment or medicine is kept in the first
aid box or boxes.
General remarks and comments:
Articles used for first aid purposes should always

be replaced as soon as possible after it has been
used.
The employer must perform regular inspections of
the first aid boxes in the workplace to ensure that
the boxes contain the prescribed ”minimum
contents.’
Items contained in the box should also be
inspected for expiry dates. All expired equipment
should be discarded and replaced immediately.
A formal first aid register must be provided for the
purpose of recording all incidents where first aid
had to be provided.
A name list of the certified first aider(s) could also
be kept in or near the first aid box.
Although we take great care to ensure that the information

on our website is accurate and up to date, readers are
advised to always consult with a Labour Law Practitioner
before acting on the information. The information on this
website does not constitute legal advice. Kindly take notice
of our disclaimer policy published at the bottom of the
home page of this website.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION

Home › Health and Safety › The Provision of First Aid Boxes at

THE PROVISION OF FIRST AID BOXES

First Aid Boxes in the Workplace

We continue to receive enquiries relating to the

When should first aid be provided at the workplace?

The regulation states that ”an employer shall take all

“All reasonable steps” includes the training of employees

When should first aid boxes be provided?

The Regulation makes provision that first aid facilities

Correct placement of the first aid boxes:

‘The employer must provide a first aid box or boxes at or

How many first aid boxes should be provided?

The number of boxes required should be determined by

the type of injuries that are likely to occur at a

What should the first aid box contain?

Suitable first aid equipment, as listed in the prescribed

Government Notice R.2245 of 7 August 1992

Minimum contents of a First Aid Box

In the case of shops and offices, the quantities stated

Wound cleaner / antiseptic (100ml)

Swabs for cleaning wounds

Cotton wool for padding (100g)

Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10)

1 pair of forceps (for splinters)

1 pair of scissors (minimum size 100mm)

1 set of safety pins

4 roller bandages (75mm x 5m)

4 roller bandages (100mm x 5m)

1 roll of elastic adhesive (25mm x 3m)

1 Non-allergenic adhesive strip (25mm x 3m)

1 Packet of adhesive dressing strips (minimum quantity

4 First aid dressing (75mm x 100mm)

4 First aid dressings (150mm x 200mm)

2 Pairs large and 2 pairs medium disposable latex gloves

2 CPR mouth pieces or similar devices

May the employer keep any other articles or

Regulation 3 states that the employer must ensure that

General remarks and comments:

Articles used for first aid purposes should always

Although we take great care to ensure that the information

ARTICLES HEALTH AND SAFETY

Workplace Health and Safety Representatives

ARTICLES HEALTH AND SAFETY

Wall charts – The two compulsory summaries

HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS

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HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS

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HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS

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HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

By submitting your email address to us, you agree to

Management and Leadership Skills

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Compensation for Occupational Injuries and

07 September 2023 (08:30 - 16:00) Interactive Online

I can see you lie ….. Mastering Human Lie Detection

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