Do you carry a first aid kit on the job?

This is something we all probably overlook but how many of you do you carry a first aid kid in your van?

Had a nasty hand injury the other day, required immediate A&E attention and had stitches.

Never had a trip or fall in the years I have been doing work before let alone something like this.

I know most of the first aid kits you get are usually full of cheap stuff, so wondering if anyone has made their own little box and what they have included.

Cheers in advance.

Yes, I get an HSE "first aid at work" pack. They come in green plastic case or a bag. The 10 person kit is quite small so a 20 person kit has more stuff. I supplement it with extra elastoplast and wipes and blue gloves. Somewhere in the region of £12. When date expired it goes in the kitchen or shed. I think there is a "one person" kit that will go in a coat pocket. Screwfix and fleabay have them.

IIRC the official kit does not include scissors or tweezers, which are handy but you can add your own. It has more wound dressings and bandages than you are ever likely to use.

You can get a refill pack more cheaply, but the case is good, clean, and easily recognised. Depending what you do an eyewash set may be useful.

As mine is personal I keep headache tablets in the case.

The wipes, gloves and elastoplast get used most. You can buy a good brand (the wipes dry out, even though sealed.) Remember to replenish after use.

When I was a workplace first aider I had a woman attacked and bitten by a dog in the field outside. One of my colleagues had a workman with a nail gun injury, it had somehow bounced into his face. Most injuries are minor. I once stepped on a board with a nail that went through my foot. And you may pass a road accident.

You may be able to go on a first aiders course. Workplaces have to do them, sports clubs and community centres like to have trained volunteers.

P.s.
You probably ought to have some bags for bloodstained wipes and bandages for safe and hygienic disposal. I don't remember them being included.

P.p.s.
I get the green box. There are some in clear plastic that will crack or break.

And fix it where it can instantly be seen but will not be knocked or covered.

Somebody may need to find it to help you.

I heard about QuikClot: https://quikclot.com/
from a First aid course. The trainer was an ex soldier who used this stuff on the battlefield.
Amazing stuff, although expensive.
We made a case to have them in our machine shops - hopefully never to be used!
The other problem with First Aid kits, is keeping them all in date and that can be costly.

RandomGrinch said:

I heard about QuikClot: https://quikclot.com/
from a First aid course. The trainer was an ex soldier who used this stuff on the battlefield.
Amazing stuff, although expensive.
We made a case to have them in our machine shops - hopefully never to be used!
The other problem with First Aid kits, is keeping them all in date and that can be costly.

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When you guys refer to dates is that for medicines or bandages etc or both?

I know this is extreme but I'd consider a tourniquet and aluminium blankets as when working with electric saws you don't know when the worst can happen and it's essential to keep any cut off limbs warm for any chance of getting them reattached.

Knew a guy fitting a kitchen once and he managed to chop his arm off but in the madness he managed to keep the arm wrapped in a towel which allowed the surgeons to reattach it.

It only applys to the items in the kit that are sterile when packed. This includes the plasters, dressings and wipes. But not things like triangular bandages, safety pins, or scissors etc.
In a professional environment, there are also standards to what can and can't be in a first aid box. So John's headache tablets wouldn't be allowed! Sorry!
...and tourniquets are out, but it doesn't mean you couldn't use a triangular bandage!

My personal kit.

JohnD said:

My personal kit.

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Yes, I did get that
But the question for self-employed trades people might be, if they do start equipping their vans with first aid boxes, how far do they then comply with first aid at work standards?
There must be some pragmatism involved, but there may be the possibility of getting into trouble with HSE if something goes wrong.
Or, put another way, can a tradesperson risk assess their work and do their jobs without considering First Aid provision?

...and cut-off limbs should be kept cool!
Preferably wrapped in a clean gauze and placed in a plastic bag, with the bag packed in some ice water - but not kept too cold, or there can be frostbite and it can't be reattached!

RandomGrinch said:

and cut-off limbs should be kept cool!
Preferably wrapped in a clean gauze and placed in a plastic bag, with the bag packed in some ice water - but not kept too cold, or there can be frostbite and it can't be reattached!

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That’s what I thought. Although I thought it was the other way round - wrapped in plastic first to prevent frostbite. Just looked it up and I can see I was mistaken!

Funnily enough, only yesterday I realised my first aid at work certificate has expired and I am booking another one today. Not cheap - between 4 and 5 hundred quid for the 3 day course depending on where you go.

Mottie said:

Funily enough, only yesterday I realised my first aid at work certificate has expired and I am booking another one today. Not cheap - between 4 and 5 hundred quid for the 3 day course depending on where you go.

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We used St John Ambulance for training. Where we are in Wales, 3 day courses are ©£300 and 2 day refreshers ©£200.
What was good with St. John, was you could be sure the trainer's knew their stuff.
Being ex-military, or ex-paramedics, they had seen everything!
Edit:
...and you are automatically covered by their 'Good Samaritan' public liability insurance when performing first aid.

I carry a first aid kit in the car, several when sailing and always make sure I have stuff when doing diy. My airbnb place also has a kit. For sailing I have to maintain first aid certification every 3 years.

I successfully helped a friend get a personal injury claim payout from a gym, because they did not have a first aid kit and were unable to provide basic first aid to him when he slipped on a wooden jump box and severely gouged his knee. They actually used bog roll to wrap the wound and told him to drive to A&E. Easy peasy claim and a lesson to train your staff and provide a basic kit.

As a minimum, you need dressings, gloves, sterilised flush and if not competent a guide book. But also worth adding burn dressings, wound close strips plasters, bandages etc. This could be the best £20 you spend.

I can tell you from experience, being with someone who is seriously injured & having no first aid supplies or basic knowledge of what to do, is probably going to be one of the worst experiences of your life so far.

RandomGrinch said:

We used St John Ambulance for training. Where we are in Wales, 3 day courses are ©£300 and 2 day refreshers ©£200.
What was good with St. John, was you could be sure the trainer's knew their stuff.
Being ex-military, or ex-paramedics, they had seen everything!
Edit:
...and you are automatically covered by their 'Good Samaritan' public liability insurance when performing first aid.

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They charge different prices due to location. My two nearest places have different prices £390 cheapest, £486 dearest.

motorbiking said:

As a minimum, you need dressings, gloves, sterilised flush and if not competent a guide book. But also worth adding burn dressings, wound close strips plasters, bandages etc. This could be the best £20 you spend.

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Instant ice, cooling gel packs are very good things to have if there is a burn or sprain risk.

think the individual course are a lot cheaper. If you are a sole trader.

Mottie said:

They charge different prices due to location. My two nearest places have different prices £390 cheapest, £486 dearest.

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Whoa! Big variation in prices!
...almost makes it worth moving to Wales for!