Wherever you are, you should always have access to a basic first aid kit. You should always keep one in your car, a few small items in your purse, and of course, have an extensive one at home. However, when it comes to your office, do you know what it should include? Here are some important things to keep in your workplace first aid kit.
First things first: always remember, if you are seriously injured at work, you may want to contact dandalaw.com or a lawyer local to you for more information – do your research and know your rights instead of suffering in silence.
Sterile gloves
If you are dealing with any form of bodily fluids, you are going to want to be wearing medical gloves to avoid the risk of infection. These should be disposable, to ensure they are only ever used once, and when you have finished using a pair, be sure to replace them before the next time there is an accident.
Antiseptic cleansing wipes
It’s vital that any wounds are cleaned before being covered to reduce the risk of infection. These wipes are single-use, and you should always have a stock of several in your first aid box.
Sterile gauze pads
When a wound is clean, you will need to cover it. Sterile gauze pads are ideal for larger cuts and wounds, and it’s best to have them in several sizes to work for different injuries.
Bandaids
If a cut is a little smaller, or perhaps you want to cover something like a blister, bandaids are ideal. Again, you can get these in different shapes and sizes, but try to have at least a few latex-free options for those in your office who may have latex allergies.
Elastic bandages
An elastic or compression bandage is used for sprains to limit swelling, ease pain, and offer support. These come rolled and can be secured with a safety pin or medical tape, so be sure to have a supply of each.
Tweezers
If a colleague is stung by a bee, gets a splinter, or ends up with debris in a cut, a pair of tweezers could be pretty useful. Remember that not everything should be removed without going to the emergency room; for example, a large piece of glass may cause more damage being removed by someone who isn’t a medical professional.
Instant cold packs
Some injuries require something cold to be put on them immediately, but if you don’t have access to a frozen icepack or a bag of peas, an instant cold pack that is activated by a chemical reaction is a fantastic option.
A first aid manual and information on trained first aiders
Although it’s easy enough to Google things, it is always beneficial to have a physical first aid manual or leaflets on basic first aid to hand by your first aid supplies. You may also have designated trained first raiders, so their contact details will be useful too.
These are just the basic things you need in a first aid kit at work. Anything else you have is a bonus, and if you do certain tasks, you may need more specialist items.