First Aid
First aid supplies are a legal requirement on every UK construction site and must be available, adequate, and accessible from the first day of site operations. CMT Group supplies a comprehensive range of first aid products for construction sites including first aid kits, eye irrigation stations, defibrillators, plasters and wound dressings, antiseptic wipes, armbands, sharps disposal units, disposable gloves, and COVID test kits, covering the full first aid compliance requirements of construction sites across the UK.
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Construction sites carry a higher risk of injury than most working environments. Working at height, operating heavy plant and machinery, handling hazardous materials, and working in confined spaces all create risks that must be addressed through both preventative safety measures and an adequate and ready first aid capability. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to ensure suitable and sufficient first aid equipment and facilities are always available. CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, meaning every first aid product in our range meets the strict safety and compliance standards required for professional and workplace use.
- ✓ First aid kits for construction sites including burns kits and workplace emergency kits
- ✓ Eye irrigation stations and eyewash solutions for chemical and dust eye exposure
- ✓ Defibrillators for cardiac emergency response on construction sites
- ✓ Plasters, wound dressings, and assorted wound protection for everyday site injuries
- ✓ Antiseptic wipes and cleansing wipes for wound cleaning and infection prevention
- ✓ Armbands and arm bandages for identification and immobilisation of arm injuries
- ✓ Sharps disposal units for safe collection and disposal of needles and sharp medical waste
- ✓ Disposable gloves and COVID test kits for infection control and testing compliance
First Aid Requirements on Construction Sites
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, all employers including those operating construction sites must ensure adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel are available at all times. Construction is classified as a high-hazard environment, which means the first aid provision required is more extensive than for a standard office or retail environment.
The minimum requirements for a construction site include a suitably stocked first aid kit, a designated appointed person or trained first aider depending on site size and risk level, and clear information displayed for all workers about where first aid equipment is located and who the first aider or appointed person is. For sites with higher numbers of workers or more complex hazards, additional first aiders and more comprehensive equipment including eyewash stations and defibrillators are expected.
First aid kits must be regularly inspected and restocked. A kit that is not properly maintained is not compliant with the regulations even if it was correctly stocked at the start of the project. Assigning responsibility for weekly first aid kit inspection to a named person on site is the most effective way to ensure continuous compliance throughout the project duration.
First Aid Supplies by Type
Our range covers the first aid products required for construction site compliance and emergency response.
First Aid Provision for Your Site: What Do You Need?
The first aid provision required on a construction site depends on the number of workers, the nature of the hazards, and the proximity to emergency medical services. The HSE's guidance on first aid at work, which supplements the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, provides a risk assessment approach to determining the correct level of provision. The table below summarises the minimum requirements for different site sizes and situations.
All first aid arrangements must be reassessed if the site size, workforce, or hazard profile changes significantly during the project. Positions of first aid kits and eyewash stations must be clearly signed and communicated to all workers on site induction.
| Site situation | Minimum first aid provision | Products required |
|---|---|---|
| Small site, low hazard, fewer than 5 workers | Appointed person and travel first aid kit | Small first aid kit, plasters, antiseptic wipes, gloves |
| Medium construction site, 5-50 workers | At least one trained first aider and full kit | Workplace first aid kit, eyewash, armbands, gloves |
| Large construction site, 50+ workers | Multiple first aiders, first aid room where practical | Multiple kits, eye irrigation station, defibrillator |
| Any site using chemicals or producing dust | Eye wash station at point of risk | Eye irrigation station or eye wash bottles |
| Brownfield, urban or demolition site | Sharps disposal as standard | Sharps bins and needlestick injury procedure kits |
| Any site with hot works or burning risk | Burns kit in addition to standard first aid kit | Burns kit with burns dressings and cooling gel |
First Aid Supplies for UK Construction Sites
Construction sites have a higher rate of workplace injury than most other industries, making adequate first aid provision both a legal requirement and a practical necessity. Cuts, abrasions, eye injuries from dust and debris, and musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling are the most common injury types on UK construction sites. Having the correct first aid equipment positioned correctly, maintained regularly, and supported by a trained first aider or appointed person is the most effective way to minimise the severity of these injuries when they occur.
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier and has been supplying first aid products to UK construction sites for over 20 years. As a BSIF member, every first aid product in our range meets strict safety and compliance standards. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK, with next day delivery standard on orders placed by 5pm by phone or 7pm online, and VIP 2-3 hour delivery on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes for urgent requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a first aider and an appointed person?
An appointed person is someone designated to take charge of first aid arrangements on site, including calling emergency services and maintaining first aid equipment. An appointed person does not need to hold a first aid qualification and is the minimum requirement for low-hazard workplaces and very small sites. A trained first aider holds a valid First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work qualification from an HSE-approved training provider and is able to administer a range of first aid treatments. Construction sites are classified as high-hazard environments and the HSE guidance is clear that appointed persons alone are not appropriate for most construction sites. At least one trained first aider should be available during working hours on all but the smallest and lowest-risk construction projects.
Where should eye wash stations be positioned on a construction site?
Eye wash stations must be positioned at or very close to the point of risk, not in a central welfare area. A worker who has just received a chemical or dust splash to the eye cannot safely walk across a site to a welfare unit without assistance, and the delay in reaching an eye wash significantly worsens the outcome of an eye exposure injury. The eye wash station should be within 10 seconds walking distance of any area where chemicals, cement, concrete dust, cutting dust, or other eye hazards are being used or generated. Where multiple work areas present eye hazards, a fixed eye wash station should be installed at each one. Portable eye wash bottles can be carried by workers in high-risk tasks as a secondary measure but are not a substitute for a fixed station at a permanent work area.
Do I need a defibrillator on my construction site?
A defibrillator is not a legal requirement on construction sites under current UK legislation, but it is strongly recommended by the British Heart Foundation and the HSE for high-risk environments including construction. Cardiac arrest can affect anyone at any time, and the survival rate falls by approximately 10% for every minute that passes without defibrillation. On a large construction site where the ambulance response time may be 8-12 minutes or longer, having an AED on site significantly increases the chance of survival for a cardiac arrest victim. Most larger principal contractors now include an AED as a standard requirement in their site safety plans regardless of legal obligation, and many construction clients are beginning to include AED provision in their pre-qualification requirements.
How often should first aid kits be checked and restocked?
First aid kits must be checked regularly and restocked after every use. On an active construction site, a weekly inspection of all first aid kits is the standard practice, with restocking carried out immediately after any item is used or found to be missing, damaged, or past its expiry date. An out-of-date or depleted first aid kit is not compliant with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 regardless of how well stocked it was at the start of the project. Assigning the weekly inspection to a named person, recording the inspection on a kit log, and maintaining a stock of replacement items on site is the most reliable approach to continuous compliance throughout the project duration.
Why buy first aid supplies from CMT Group?
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, which means every first aid product in our range meets the strict safety and compliance standards set by the British Safety Industry Federation. We have been supplying first aid products to UK construction sites for over 20 years and understand the specific requirements of construction site first aid compliance under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Our range covers the complete scope of construction site first aid requirements from kits and eye irrigation stations through to defibrillators, armbands, sharps disposal, and disposable gloves. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK, with next day delivery standard on orders placed by 5pm by phone or 7pm online, and VIP 2-3 hour delivery on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes for urgent requirements.
First Aider vs Appointed Person: What Does Your Construction Site Need?
The distinction between a trained first aider and an appointed person is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of first aid compliance on construction sites. An appointed person is the minimum legal requirement for any workplace. They do not hold a first aid qualification and are responsible only for calling emergency services and maintaining first aid equipment. On a very small, low-hazard site with fewer than five workers, an appointed person may be sufficient.
A trained first aider holds a valid First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate from an HSE-approved training provider. An FAW first aider can administer a comprehensive range of treatments including CPR, management of unconsciousness, treatment of wounds and burns, and recognition of medical emergencies. An EFAW first aider is trained to a shorter syllabus covering the most critical emergency responses. For the vast majority of construction sites, where hazards including working at height, power tools, heavy plant, and chemical substances are present, the HSE guidance indicates that a trained first aider rather than an appointed person is required. Where multiple work areas are spread across a large site, enough first aiders must be available to ensure one is always accessible during working hours.
Shop First Aid by Type
First Aid
First aid supplies are a legal requirement on every UK construction site and must be available, adequate, and accessible from the first day of site operations. CMT Group supplies a comprehensive range of first aid products for construction sites including first aid kits, eye irrigation stations, defibrillators, plasters and wound dressings, antiseptic wipes, armbands, sharps disposal units, disposable gloves, and COVID test kits, covering the full first aid compliance requirements of construction sites across the UK.
Read more Read less
Construction sites carry a higher risk of injury than most working environments. Working at height, operating heavy plant and machinery, handling hazardous materials, and working in confined spaces all create risks that must be addressed through both preventative safety measures and an adequate and ready first aid capability. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to ensure suitable and sufficient first aid equipment and facilities are always available. CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, meaning every first aid product in our range meets the strict safety and compliance standards required for professional and workplace use.
- ✓ First aid kits for construction sites including burns kits and workplace emergency kits
- ✓ Eye irrigation stations and eyewash solutions for chemical and dust eye exposure
- ✓ Defibrillators for cardiac emergency response on construction sites
- ✓ Plasters, wound dressings, and assorted wound protection for everyday site injuries
- ✓ Antiseptic wipes and cleansing wipes for wound cleaning and infection prevention
- ✓ Armbands and arm bandages for identification and immobilisation of arm injuries
- ✓ Sharps disposal units for safe collection and disposal of needles and sharp medical waste
- ✓ Disposable gloves and COVID test kits for infection control and testing compliance
First Aid Requirements on Construction Sites
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, all employers including those operating construction sites must ensure adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel are available at all times. Construction is classified as a high-hazard environment, which means the first aid provision required is more extensive than for a standard office or retail environment.
The minimum requirements for a construction site include a suitably stocked first aid kit, a designated appointed person or trained first aider depending on site size and risk level, and clear information displayed for all workers about where first aid equipment is located and who the first aider or appointed person is. For sites with higher numbers of workers or more complex hazards, additional first aiders and more comprehensive equipment including eyewash stations and defibrillators are expected.
First aid kits must be regularly inspected and restocked. A kit that is not properly maintained is not compliant with the regulations even if it was correctly stocked at the start of the project. Assigning responsibility for weekly first aid kit inspection to a named person on site is the most effective way to ensure continuous compliance throughout the project duration.
First Aid Supplies by Type
Our range covers the first aid products required for construction site compliance and emergency response.
First Aid Provision for Your Site: What Do You Need?
The first aid provision required on a construction site depends on the number of workers, the nature of the hazards, and the proximity to emergency medical services. The HSE's guidance on first aid at work, which supplements the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, provides a risk assessment approach to determining the correct level of provision. The table below summarises the minimum requirements for different site sizes and situations.
All first aid arrangements must be reassessed if the site size, workforce, or hazard profile changes significantly during the project. Positions of first aid kits and eyewash stations must be clearly signed and communicated to all workers on site induction.
| Site situation | Minimum first aid provision | Products required |
|---|---|---|
| Small site, low hazard, fewer than 5 workers | Appointed person and travel first aid kit | Small first aid kit, plasters, antiseptic wipes, gloves |
| Medium construction site, 5-50 workers | At least one trained first aider and full kit | Workplace first aid kit, eyewash, armbands, gloves |
| Large construction site, 50+ workers | Multiple first aiders, first aid room where practical | Multiple kits, eye irrigation station, defibrillator |
| Any site using chemicals or producing dust | Eye wash station at point of risk | Eye irrigation station or eye wash bottles |
| Brownfield, urban or demolition site | Sharps disposal as standard | Sharps bins and needlestick injury procedure kits |
| Any site with hot works or burning risk | Burns kit in addition to standard first aid kit | Burns kit with burns dressings and cooling gel |
First Aid Supplies for UK Construction Sites
Construction sites have a higher rate of workplace injury than most other industries, making adequate first aid provision both a legal requirement and a practical necessity. Cuts, abrasions, eye injuries from dust and debris, and musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling are the most common injury types on UK construction sites. Having the correct first aid equipment positioned correctly, maintained regularly, and supported by a trained first aider or appointed person is the most effective way to minimise the severity of these injuries when they occur.
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier and has been supplying first aid products to UK construction sites for over 20 years. As a BSIF member, every first aid product in our range meets strict safety and compliance standards. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK, with next day delivery standard on orders placed by 5pm by phone or 7pm online, and VIP 2-3 hour delivery on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes for urgent requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a first aider and an appointed person?
An appointed person is someone designated to take charge of first aid arrangements on site, including calling emergency services and maintaining first aid equipment. An appointed person does not need to hold a first aid qualification and is the minimum requirement for low-hazard workplaces and very small sites. A trained first aider holds a valid First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work qualification from an HSE-approved training provider and is able to administer a range of first aid treatments. Construction sites are classified as high-hazard environments and the HSE guidance is clear that appointed persons alone are not appropriate for most construction sites. At least one trained first aider should be available during working hours on all but the smallest and lowest-risk construction projects.
Where should eye wash stations be positioned on a construction site?
Eye wash stations must be positioned at or very close to the point of risk, not in a central welfare area. A worker who has just received a chemical or dust splash to the eye cannot safely walk across a site to a welfare unit without assistance, and the delay in reaching an eye wash significantly worsens the outcome of an eye exposure injury. The eye wash station should be within 10 seconds walking distance of any area where chemicals, cement, concrete dust, cutting dust, or other eye hazards are being used or generated. Where multiple work areas present eye hazards, a fixed eye wash station should be installed at each one. Portable eye wash bottles can be carried by workers in high-risk tasks as a secondary measure but are not a substitute for a fixed station at a permanent work area.
Do I need a defibrillator on my construction site?
A defibrillator is not a legal requirement on construction sites under current UK legislation, but it is strongly recommended by the British Heart Foundation and the HSE for high-risk environments including construction. Cardiac arrest can affect anyone at any time, and the survival rate falls by approximately 10% for every minute that passes without defibrillation. On a large construction site where the ambulance response time may be 8-12 minutes or longer, having an AED on site significantly increases the chance of survival for a cardiac arrest victim. Most larger principal contractors now include an AED as a standard requirement in their site safety plans regardless of legal obligation, and many construction clients are beginning to include AED provision in their pre-qualification requirements.
How often should first aid kits be checked and restocked?
First aid kits must be checked regularly and restocked after every use. On an active construction site, a weekly inspection of all first aid kits is the standard practice, with restocking carried out immediately after any item is used or found to be missing, damaged, or past its expiry date. An out-of-date or depleted first aid kit is not compliant with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 regardless of how well stocked it was at the start of the project. Assigning the weekly inspection to a named person, recording the inspection on a kit log, and maintaining a stock of replacement items on site is the most reliable approach to continuous compliance throughout the project duration.
Why buy first aid supplies from CMT Group?
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, which means every first aid product in our range meets the strict safety and compliance standards set by the British Safety Industry Federation. We have been supplying first aid products to UK construction sites for over 20 years and understand the specific requirements of construction site first aid compliance under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Our range covers the complete scope of construction site first aid requirements from kits and eye irrigation stations through to defibrillators, armbands, sharps disposal, and disposable gloves. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK, with next day delivery standard on orders placed by 5pm by phone or 7pm online, and VIP 2-3 hour delivery on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes for urgent requirements.
First Aider vs Appointed Person: What Does Your Construction Site Need?
The distinction between a trained first aider and an appointed person is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of first aid compliance on construction sites. An appointed person is the minimum legal requirement for any workplace. They do not hold a first aid qualification and are responsible only for calling emergency services and maintaining first aid equipment. On a very small, low-hazard site with fewer than five workers, an appointed person may be sufficient.
A trained first aider holds a valid First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate from an HSE-approved training provider. An FAW first aider can administer a comprehensive range of treatments including CPR, management of unconsciousness, treatment of wounds and burns, and recognition of medical emergencies. An EFAW first aider is trained to a shorter syllabus covering the most critical emergency responses. For the vast majority of construction sites, where hazards including working at height, power tools, heavy plant, and chemical substances are present, the HSE guidance indicates that a trained first aider rather than an appointed person is required. Where multiple work areas are spread across a large site, enough first aiders must be available to ensure one is always accessible during working hours.
