Updated Kit Contents

The amendment refines what must be included in small, medium, and large

workplace kits. While the full contents list is contained within the standard itself, the

update ensures:

• Better alignment with contemporary injury patterns

• Improved support for treating severe bleeding injuries

• More consistent expectations across industries

Revised RiskBased Recommendations

Annex A provides updated guidance on:

• How many kits are required

• What size should they be

• How to scale provision for higher-risk environments

This ensures employers can more accurately match their first aid resources to their

operational realities.

Supplementary Kits for Specific Needs

Annex B offers guidance on:

• Personalissue kits for lone workers updated

• Criticalinjury packs updated and now recommended for workplaces with

  elevated trauma risk, including outdoor education, agriculture and forestry

  operations, security operations, warehousing and transport operations,

  construction and rail environments.”

This supports employers in meeting their legal duties under the Health and Safety at

Work Act and associated regulations, which include the First Aid Regulations 1981.

Clarification on Vehicle Kits

The standard confirms that BS 85992 remains the correct reference for vehicle first

aid kits. The new amendment does not replace or supersede it.

Why the Update Matters

The A1:2026 amendment arrives at a time when:

• Workplaces face more diverse risks

• Public expectations around emergency response are rising

• AEDs are becoming standard in community and workplace settings

• Employers must demonstrate robust, evidencebased first aid provision,

  including the need for AEDs in the workplace

Adopting the updated standard helps organisations:

• Strengthen compliance

• Improve emergency preparedness

• Reduce response times in life-threatening situations

• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators and insurers

How Employers Should Prepare

Review Current First Aid Provision

Audit your existing risk assessments and first aid equipment against the new

A1:2026 Standard, ensuring AEDs are positioned so they can reach any first aid

incident within 2 minutes. This may require updating First Aid SOPs so AED

deployment becomes automatic at every incident. This aligns directly with the new

Standard and the revised Resuscitation Council UK guidance, which reinforces the

expectation that an AED must be immediately accessible wherever they are

positioned.

Update First Aid Equipment

Ensure contents match the updated specifications for your workplace size and risk

category.

Assess AED Requirements

Determine whether AEDs should be added, relocated, or increased in number.

Train Staff

Ensure first aiders are confident in using updated equipment, including AEDs. Oxford

College of First Aid can support organisations and employers in training staff to

deliver in-house, cost-effective training or deliver training directly to their teams.

Document Everything

Maintain clear records of assessments, decisions, and updates—critical for

compliance.