In every Australian workplace, having a compliant and well-stocked first aid kit isn’t optional—it’s required by WHS law. Whether it's a quiet office or a busy construction site, employers must ensure workers have access to medical supplies in case of injury.

But not all kits are the same. A kit in a high-risk environment must do more than hold band-aids. It needs to be tailored to the hazards on-site and ready for serious emergencies like burns, heavy bleeding, or even snake bites.

Know Your Risk Level

Workplaces are generally classified as:

• Low Risk: Offices, retail, schools
• High Risk: Construction, factories, warehouses

Low-risk kits cover cuts, splinters, or headaches. High-risk kits need extra items—like heavy-duty bandages, burn gels, and saline for eye rinsing. Kits must also match workforce size. One box for 10 people won’t work for 50.

Organised and Easy to Use

Modern kits are modular. That means contents are grouped by injury type—burns, bleeding, bites—making them quick to use. In emergencies, workers shouldn’t have to dig through clutter.

For electrical sites, kits must include non-conductive tools and burn treatments for arc flash injuries.

Built Tough for Aussie Conditions

A flimsy plastic box might work in an office, but not in a dusty workshop or wet mining camp. That’s why industrial sites use metal, wall-mounted enclosures to protect medical supplies from dirt, heat, and impact.

Schnap Electric Products provides these strong cabinets, with options for lockable doors, powder coating, and weather protection—ensuring everything inside stays clean and usable.

Snake Bites Are Real

In rural and remote worksites, bites from snakes or spiders can happen. Your kit needs:

• Pressure immobilisation bandages (10cm wide)
• Marker pen (to record bite time)

No snake bite kit? That’s a legal and safety failure.

Only Buy from Trusted Suppliers

Medical supplies must meet Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) standards. Buying cheap, non-compliant imports puts workers at risk—and opens the business to legal trouble.

That’s why many workplaces get their kits from trusted electrical wholesaler like SCHNAP Electric Products, who stock kits that meet Australian Standards and provide traceable, TGA-approved contents.

Keep It Stocked and Up to Date

Items expire. Dressings lose stick, saline dries up, gloves perish. WHS recommends auditing every 12 months—or sooner in high-use areas.

Some kits now include QR codes or digital logs to make restocking easier.

Conclusion

A Workplace First Aid Kit isn’t just a box—it’s a lifeline. By choosing the right kit, organising it properly, protecting it with robust enclosures, and keeping it updated, businesses show real commitment to worker safety.

In high-risk industries, preparation saves lives—and avoiding fines.