The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published an update to its workplace first aid guidance with the release of BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026. The updated standard provides recommendations for workplace first aid kits and associated first aid provisions, helping employers ensure they have adequate equipment available to respond to injuries and medical emergencies.
The revised standard covers a broader range of first aid provisions than ever before, including workplace first aid kits, burns kits, eye wash kits, personal issue kits, travel and motoring kits, critical injury packs, and the provision of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
What’s changed?
One of the most significant changes is the inclusion of guidance around AED provision in the workplace. The new standard states that businesses with an estimated occupancy of five or more people during operating hours should provide an AED, ensuring it is accessible within two minutes from any location on site.
The standard also introduces more detailed guidance for burns first aid kits and eye wash first aid kits. Employers are expected to provide these kits where risk assessments identify a need, such as environments where burns, chemical exposure, dust, or airborne particles could cause injury.
In response to the new guidance, manufacturers are updating kit contents and labelling to align with the 2026 amendments, providing clearer compliance with the latest recommendations.
Home and workplace first aid kit
First aid kits remain an essential part of any health and safety strategy, whether at home or in the workplace. A well-stocked kit allows immediate treatment of minor injuries and can help stabilise more serious incidents until professional medical assistance arrives.
In workplaces, first aid provision should always be based on a suitable risk assessment. Factors such as the number of employees, the nature of work being undertaken, and specific workplace hazards will determine the type and quantity of first aid equipment required. While home first aid kits are typically designed for common everyday injuries, workplace kits often need to accommodate a wider range of risks and larger numbers of people.
The latest BSI guidance continues to support a risk-based approach, helping organisations select appropriate first aid provisions that match their operational needs.
The brand new kits
The 2026 update places greater emphasis on specialist first aid kits alongside traditional workplace first aid kits. New areas of focus include burns first aid kits, eye wash kits, critical injury packs, and improved guidance around AED provision.
Burns kits are now specifically referenced where workplaces present a higher risk of burn injuries. Similarly, eye wash kits are recommended wherever there is a risk of eye contamination from chemicals, dust, flying particles, or hazardous substances.
The standard also highlights the importance of critical injury packs in higher-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and forestry, where severe bleeding or traumatic injuries may occur. Alongside these additions, personal issue kits and travel kits remain available to support employees working individually or away from the main workplace.
What happens to old standards?
The good news for employers is that much of the existing guidance remains unchanged. Current BS 8599-1:2019 small, medium, and large workplace first aid kit contents continue to meet the latest standards, meaning many existing workplace kits remain appropriate and compliant.
The 2026 amendment does not render existing kits obsolete overnight. Instead, organisations should review their first aid provision against the updated guidance and update specialist kits, contents, or labelling where necessary. Manufacturers are expected to introduce these changes gradually, ensuring a smooth transition to the revised standard.
Employers should also remember that BSI standards represent best-practice guidance and do not replace their legal responsibilities under workplace health and safety legislation. A suitable risk assessment remains the foundation of effective first aid provision.
