How to Organise a Workplace First Aid Station
Share
How to Organise a Workplace First Aid Station
A well-organised workplace first aid station helps people find essential supplies quickly. It also makes it easier to check stock, replace used items and keep safety responsibilities clear.
The right setup will depend on your workplace. An office, café, warehouse and workshop may have different hazards and staffing levels. Your first aid station should reflect the work being done, the layout of the site and the risks identified in your workplace health and safety (WHS) assessment.
This guide explains how to organise a workplace first aid station in a practical way.
1. Assess your workplace first
Before buying equipment or choosing a location, look at the risks in your workplace. Consider the tasks people perform, the equipment they use and the materials they handle.
Ask questions such as:
- Are workers handling sharp tools or machinery?
- Are burns, cuts, falls or eye injuries possible?
- Are chemicals, dust or other irritants used?
- Do workers travel between buildings or work outdoors?
- Is the workplace in a remote location?
- Are there workers on different shifts?
- Do visitors, contractors or members of the public use the site?
Your first aid arrangements should also consider the number of workers, the size of the workplace and how quickly emergency services can reach the site. Workplaces with several areas may need more than one first aid station or portable kit.
Australian WHS requirements can vary by state or territory and by industry. Check the guidance that applies to your business. You may also need advice from a qualified WHS professional.
2. Choose a central and accessible location
A first aid station is only useful if people can reach it quickly. Choose a location that is easy to find and not blocked by stock, furniture, vehicles or equipment.
Good locations may include:
- A staff room or reception area
- Near a main entrance or common walkway
- Close to higher-risk work areas
- Near a warehouse office or workshop entrance
- In a food preparation area, where suitable hygiene controls are in place
Do not place the station inside a locked room unless authorised people can access it without delay. Avoid locations exposed to moisture, extreme heat, dust or direct sunlight if these conditions could damage the contents.
If the workplace covers several floors or separate buildings, think about travel time. A single kit at the main office may not be enough for a large site.
3. Make the station easy to identify
Use clear first aid signage that can be recognised from a reasonable distance. The area around the station should be well lit and free from clutter.
Label the station with information such as:
- “First Aid”
- The name or contact details of the workplace first aider
- The location of additional kits, if applicable
- Emergency contact information
- The site address for emergency services
You can also include simple instructions for reporting an incident. Keep these instructions easy to read and update them when contact details or staff responsibilities change.
A wall-mounted cabinet can help create a fixed, visible location. For example, the AeroKit First Aid Station – 6 Modular Units in Wall-Mounted Cabinet has six interchangeable modules. Its cabinet measures 69 cm wide, 62.5 cm high and 15.5 cm deep. The modular layout may help a business separate supplies by purpose and keep the station organised.
Check the wall, mounting height and surrounding space before installation. The cabinet should be secure but still accessible to the people who may need it.
4. Organise supplies by purpose
People may be under pressure during an incident. Grouping supplies logically can reduce the time spent searching.
Useful categories may include:
- Dressings and bandages
- Wound cleaning supplies
- Disposable gloves
- Eye care supplies
- Burn care supplies
- Cold packs
- Scissors and other first aid tools
- Personal protective equipment
- Incident records and instructions
Use labels on drawers, shelves or modules. Keep commonly used items where they are easy to reach. Store less frequently used supplies in clearly marked sections rather than mixing them with everyday items.
Do not remove supplies from their packaging unless the instructions allow it. Original packaging can provide important information, including directions, warnings and expiry dates.
A first aid station should not become general storage. Keep stationery, cleaning products and personal items somewhere else.
5. Match the contents to workplace hazards
There is no single first aid setup that suits every business. The contents should reflect your risk assessment and the types of incidents that could occur.
For example:
- Offices may need supplies for minor cuts, scrapes, headaches and simple workplace incidents, subject to appropriate workplace policies.
- Workshops may need supplies suited to cuts, abrasions, burns and eye exposure risks.
- Warehouses may need equipment that can be accessed across larger work areas.
- Cafés and food businesses may need supplies for cuts and burns, along with storage that suits a busy food handling environment.
- Outdoor or remote workplaces may need portable equipment and additional communication arrangements.
Do not rely only on a standard checklist. Review the work being performed and seek advice when the risks are complex. A first aid kit is not a substitute for safe work procedures, protective equipment, training or effective hazard controls.
For a food or beverage business, the Metal Tough Food & Beverage First Aid Kit – Wall-Mountable and Key-Lockable may suit a workplace that needs a durable, wall-mounted cabinet. It measures 42 cm by 28.5 cm by 13 cm and includes a key-lockable metal cabinet. Its refill pouch system is designed to make restocking more straightforward. Confirm that the kit contents suit your risk assessment and workplace requirements.
6. Provide portable access where needed
A fixed first aid station works well in a central location. It may not be enough for workers who move around a site, travel between locations or work outdoors.
Consider placing portable kits in:
- Work vehicles
- Delivery vehicles
- Remote work areas
- Separate warehouse zones
- Temporary work areas
- Outdoor event or maintenance locations
Portable kits should be easy to carry and clearly labelled. They should be returned to their designated location after use.
The COMMANDER 6 Rugged First Aid Kit - Wall-Mountable Grab-and-Go Softpack with Shoulder Strap is designed for portable use and includes a shoulder strap. It can also be wall-mounted. This type of kit may be useful where workers need to take first aid supplies to different areas of a workplace. Review the listed contents before deciding whether it is suitable for your business.
7. Keep emergency information nearby
First aid supplies are only one part of a workplace response. Keep important information close to the station, while protecting personal and confidential information.
Useful information may include:
- Emergency services contact details
- The exact workplace address
- Directions for entering the site
- The location of automated external defibrillators, if available
- The names or roles of trained first aiders
- Instructions for reporting incidents
- Information about nearby medical services
Workers should know how to contact emergency services and provide the workplace address. New workers and contractors should be shown the location during induction.
Do not include private medical information on a public noticeboard. Personal health information should be handled according to your privacy responsibilities.
8. Create a checking and restocking routine
A first aid station needs regular attention. Supplies may be used, damaged, contaminated or allowed to expire.
Nominate a person or role to check the station. The checking frequency should reflect the workplace risks, number of workers and how often the supplies are used.
During each check:
- Confirm the station is in its designated location.
- Check that access is clear.
- Look for damaged, opened or contaminated packaging.
- Check expiry dates.
- Replace used or missing items.
- Confirm signage and contact details are current.
- Make sure portable kits have been returned.
- Record the date and outcome of the inspection.
A simple stock list can make this process easier. Keep a copy inside the cabinet or in a shared workplace safety system. Record what was used after an incident so it can be replaced promptly.
Follow the product instructions for storage and disposal. Do not return opened sterile items to the kit.
9. Train workers and first aiders
Workers should know where the station is and how to report an incident. First aiders should understand their role, the limits of their training and the workplace’s emergency procedures.
Training should cover:
- How to locate the first aid station
- How to call emergency services
- Who the trained first aiders are
- How to report an injury or incident
- Where portable kits are kept
- How to keep access clear
- How to replace used supplies
Only use first aid procedures you are trained to perform. If someone has a serious injury or becomes unwell, call emergency services and follow the instructions provided by the operator. Do not delay emergency help while searching for supplies.
10. Review the setup after incidents and changes
Your first aid station should change when your workplace changes. Review it after an incident, near miss, renovation, new equipment purchase or change in work activities.
Also review the station when:
- The number of workers increases
- A new shift or work area is introduced
- The business begins using new chemicals or machinery
- Staff report difficulty finding supplies
- Stock is repeatedly missing or expiring
- Emergency access to the site changes
Ask workers for practical feedback. They can often identify problems that are not obvious during a routine inspection.
A simple workplace first aid station checklist
Use this checklist as a starting point:
- [ ] The station is in a clearly marked, accessible location.
- [ ] The contents match the workplace risk assessment.
- [ ] Supplies are grouped and labelled.
- [ ] Emergency information is displayed nearby.
- [ ] Workers know where the station is.
- [ ] Trained first aiders are identified.
- [ ] Portable kits are available where required.
- [ ] Supplies are checked and restocked regularly.
- [ ] Expired or damaged items are removed.
- [ ] The setup is reviewed after incidents and workplace changes.
Final thoughts
Knowing how to organise a workplace first aid station is about more than buying a kit. It involves choosing a suitable location, matching supplies to workplace hazards, keeping equipment accessible and maintaining it over time.
Start with a workplace risk assessment and check the WHS requirements that apply to your Australian business. A clear layout, regular inspections and worker awareness can help create a more prepared workplace without making the station complicated.
First aid equipment should support—not replace—hazard controls, safe work practices and appropriate training.