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First Aid in the Workplace: What Must Be Available? In brief A first aid kit is suitable for mobile, flexible use and smaller areas, while a first aid cabinet is for fixed first aid points with regular access. The decisive factor is not the type of product, but rather that the material is complete, clearly marked, and regularly checked. First aid is a central component of occupational safety. In an emergency, it's not just about having the materials available, but also about being able to find them quickly, use them completely, and replenish them in a timely manner. What equipment is appropriate depends on the company, activities, hazards, spatial structure, and number of people. Guidance is provided, among others, by the Technical Rules for Workplaces of the BAuA, particularly the topic area of first aid in workplaces. Basic Equipment: First Aid Kit, Box, or Cabinet? In many offices, an easily accessible first aid kit or box is sufficient. In larger companies, warehouse areas, or facilities with multiple building sections, it may be advisable to equip several locations or use a fixed first aid cabinet. First Aid Kit: clearly visible, mobile, and suitable for many standard areas. First Aid Cabinet: useful for fixed first aid points and a greater need for materials. Refill Sets: important for quickly replacing consumables after use. Labeling: First aid points must be quickly identifiable. Why Regular Checks Are Important First aid materials are often used only rarely. This is precisely why they are easily forgotten. Plasters, compresses, bandages, or sterile products can be used up, damaged, or no longer ready for use. A regular check prevents missing materials from only being noticed in an emergency. Regularly check contents for completeness Immediately replace used items Clearly mark locations Inform employees where materials are located Stock refill sets as standard items First Aid in Office, Warehouse, and Operations The requirements differ depending on the area of application. In an administration, plasters, bandages, and quick findability are paramount. In the warehouse or technical area, eye wash, robust cases, clearly visible labeling, or multiple locations may also be useful. Suitable Products from the Wiepa Shop For operational first aid equipment, depending on the need, suitable products include, for example, the SÖHNGEN First Aid Kit QUICK-CD, the SÖHNGEN First Aid Kit MT-CD according to DIN 13169, the SÖHNGEN First Aid Refill Set Standard or the SÖHNGEN First Aid Cabinet Heidelberg. For visible indications, a solution like the Showdown Advertising Sail First Aid can also be helpful, for example, at events, larger areas, or temporary deployment locations. Typical Questions from Companies How often should first aid materials be checked? This should be internally regulated. A regular visual inspection and a check after each use are practical. What is more important: a kit or a refill set? Both go together. The kit provides the basic structure, while the refill set keeps the equipment ready for use in the long term. Does every area need its own kit? This depends on the size, walking distances, and risks. In larger buildings, warehouses, or outdoor areas, multiple locations may be useful. Conclusion First aid in the workplace should not be improvised. Those who organize kits, cabinets, refill materials, and labeling in a structured way make everyday work safer and avoid unnecessary gaps. You can find more on the overall overview on our landing page Occupational Safety and Security Needs for Companies.

WIEPA PRACTICAL GUIDE Properly Organizing First Aid in Your Company From first responders and first aid kits to documentation: This is how to create a robust first aid organization that functions in an emergency and remains auditable in everyday operations. In short: Workplace first aid is not just about a first aid kit. Companies must assess hazards, appoint and train a sufficient number of first responders, provide suitable materials, mark locations, document first aid services, and regularly check equipment. The scope and organization depend on the type of business, number of employees, spatial structure, and specific risks. What components are part of workplace first aid? An effective organization combines people, materials, and clear procedures. Only when all three areas fit together is help quickly available. Especially in buildings with multiple floors, remote offices, workshops, or large facilities, a central kit is often not enough. Component What is practically required Common mistake First Aiders Sufficient number of trained and regularly retrained individuals per shift and location Vacation, illness, or shift work are not considered First Aid Material Suitable first aid kits, supplementary equipment according to hazard assessment, and accessible locations Material is expired, incomplete, or locked away Marking Clearly visible emergency signs, notices, and understandable routes Signage is only visible from one direction Alarming Emergency call options, internal reporting channels, and clear responsibilities Nobody knows who the guide or contact person is Documentation Confidential recording of every first aid service and secure storage Minor injuries are not recorded at all How many first aiders does a company need? According to the regulations of the statutory accident insurance, generally: For two to twenty insured persons present, at least one first aider is required. For more than twenty insured persons present, in administrative and commercial businesses, five percent are generally designated as first aiders, and in other businesses, ten percent. The number of actually present persons is decisive. Therefore, shifts, vacation, home office, field service, and sick leave must be considered. Practical rule: Don't plan too tightly. A nominally sufficient number of first aiders is of little help if no one is available on a Friday evening or at a remote location. Selecting and correctly placing first aid kits The required number and type of first aid kits depend on the company size, activities, and spatial conditions. For many workplaces, small first aid kits according to DIN 13157 or large first aid kits according to DIN 13169 are used. However, the standard alone does not replace the hazard assessment. In kitchens, workshops, laboratories, production, or field service, additional products may be useful or necessary. These points are important Quick accessibility: Material must be reachable without long distances. Free access: No storage behind locked doors or cluttered cabinets. Protection: Store cleanly, dry, and protected from damaging influences. Marking: Mark location with emergency signs. Control: Document and check completeness, packaging, and expiry dates. First aid in companies with multiple locations In branches, care facilities, schools, construction sites, or decentralized offices, each location should have its own minimum organization. Central purchasing can standardize articles and inspection routines, but it cannot replace on-site responsibility. Uniform checklists, fixed inspection intervals, defined refill kits, and a designated person responsible per building or area are useful. Documentation and data protection Even minor first aid services must be documented traceably, as claims against the statutory accident insurance may arise later. The records contain health data and must therefore be protected from unauthorized access. An openly viewable first aid logbook is unsuitable. Digital or paper-based solutions should consider access rights, storage, and secure disposal. Implementation plan in seven steps Check hazard assessment and spatial structure. Determine present employees per shift and location. Define first aider requirements and plan for absences. Determine first aid kits and supplementary equipment. Define locations, emergency signs, and alarm routes. Organize monthly visual inspection and documented full inspection. Refill immediately after use and repeat training. Frequently asked questions How often must first aiders be retrained?Retraining usually takes place every two years. Authorized training centers are responsible.Does every minor injury need to be documented?Yes. Even minor first aid services should be documented so that a later connection with health consequences remains verifiable.Can a first aid kit be locked?It must be quickly accessible in an emergency without avoidable delay. Storage that practically hinders access is therefore unsuitable.Does every floor need its own first aid kit?That depends on routes, company size, and hazards. The hazard assessment must ensure that help is quickly accessible.Is a defibrillator mandatory?There is no general obligation for every company. Depending on the hazard assessment, public traffic, company size, and emergency service response times, an AED may still be useful.Relevant Wiepa guides Our articles on occupational safety in companies, hygiene and cleaning, and health in the office provide additional help. Sources and further information DGUV: Workplace First Aid DGUV Regulation 1 – Principles of Prevention Occupational Safety and Health Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz) BAuA: ASR A4.3 First Aid Rooms and Facilities Central Procurement of First Aid Equipment Wiepa supports companies in Wiesbaden and the Rhine-Main area with first aid kits, refill materials, marking, and standardized requirement lists. Personal, straightforward, and tailored to locations and work areas. Request a personal consultation now