Here’s What Should Be In Your Construction First Aid Kit And Why

A well-equipped construction first aid kit is an essential part of maintaining safety on any site, ensuring swift and effective responses to any injuries caused by a construction site accident. Coupled with first aid training on site, a comprehensive kit enables workers to handle the wide range of injuries that can occur during a construction project.

Here we break down exactly what should be included and why.

Basic Supplies

The physical work carried out on construction sites can often produce minor injuries, so items such as sterile adhesive bandages, plasters and medical tape are vital for addressing everyday cuts, scrapes and small wounds.

These essentials ensure that even minor injuries are treated promptly, reducing the risk of infection and keeping workers safe and productive.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protecting the person administering the first aid is just as important as aiding the injured, so PPE like disposable gloves and face shields should also be included in your construction first aid kit to minimise exposure to the likes of blood and bodily fluids.

This not only keeps first aid providers safe but also aligns with hygiene standards, ensuring that first aid training on site can be applied without additional risks.

Specialised Items

While minor injuries are common, construction sites can also be prone to more severe incidents such as burns, deep lacerations or crush injuries. This means that a well-equipped construction first aid kit should include items like burn dressings, haemostatic gauze for heavy bleeding, and splints to immobilise injured limbs.

These specialised tools help manage more serious injuries until professional medical help arrives, and can actually save lives in the critical moments following a construction site accident.

Paperwork

Proper documentation is often overlooked but is also vital in a construction first aid kit. Accident report forms help ensure that injuries are accurately recorded, which is important for compliance and future prevention strategies.

Including emergency contact lists and any step-by-step guidance on responding to injuries allow workers to act quickly and effectively in what is likely to be a highly stressful situation. Such measures complement first aid training on site by ensuring consistent and reliable responses during emergencies.

Every item in a construction first aid kit serves a purpose, addressing the unique risks inherent in construction work. When combined with first aid training on site, these supplies ensure both minor and major injuries are handled effectively.

If you want to learn more about first aid training on site and how to handle a construction site accident, visit Ability International for a rich resource of health and safety risk assessment-related information or contact us!