The Importance of Biohazard Kits in the Workplace

It almost sounds like something out of a science fiction movie but the reality is that biohazard kits should be in place where you work just like a mandatory first aid kit. And hopefully you'll never have to use biohazard kits but just in case, you should know exactly the proper procedures in their application and most importantly how to protect yourself.

One of the most common biohazard kits is what is called the single application kit. Just as the name states, it's used once and then properly disposed of. These single application kits are designed for only one purpose, and that is to safely remove and then disinfect any area that becomes contaminated with a persons bodily fluids. Ok, here comes the queasy part. Bodily fluids meaning blood, vomit and urine. Now if you're reading this with just a bit of the feeling that it can never happen around you, let's take a look at a scenario and maybe you'll think a bit differently.

You're at work and the person next to you complains of illness. All of a sudden they stand and start leaving but never make it, instead they pass out, fall and hit their head and start bleeding. You now have a biological hazard in your presence. In many large organizations there are people who have the responsibility of dealing with such hazards. But that may not be the case in a lot of smaller businesses. Hopefully you have been trained in the use of the biohazard kits. After securing the area and getting this person medical attention, it's now time to use the kit for what it was intended for.

All kits contain an impervious apron, put it on. Also don the mask and the gloves that are furnished in the kit. Remember, you are protecting yourself first and foremost. Each kit will also contain a quantity of super absorbent granules. Apply these first. Then use the supplied scraper and scooper to collect and put in the supplied biohazard disposal bag. All biohazard kits will also contain a quantity of disinfectant spray to spray the area that you just cleaned. When finished, remove your apron, your mask and lastly your gloves and place all these items in the disposal bag and secure it with the tie that is provided in the kit. Voila, you just dealt with your first biological hazard that could occur in your workplace.

Granted, that really is an oversimplification but hopefully you have a better understanding of why having biohazard kits in the workplace is an absolute must.

Why Should We Have First Aid Kits and First Aid Supplies

Every household and workplace needs a first aid kit in case of emergency, just as everywhere needs a fire extinguisher. They are essential in situations in which calling an ambulance may take time and someone needs help immediately, or in less urgent situations such as a child falling over and needing a plaster and some antiseptic to clean the wound. A standard first aid kit for a household should include an emergency first aid guidance leaflet, around twenty plasters of different shapes and sizes, two eye pads, four triangular bandages, six safety pins, six medium dressings, two large dressings, six alcohol free cleansing wipes and one pair of disposable gloves. This tends to be the standard watermark of what is needed and the minimum most suppliers offer in a box. However, there are extras available from most suppliers at an extra cost. For example, when ordering a first aid kit one can request for it to include various bandages such as cohesive, conforming, crepe, elastic, tubular or WOW bandages. In addition, there are still more products available such as ambulance dressings, antiseptic, blankets, hot and cold sprays, thermometers, cotton wool and cream for insect bites.

First aid kit suppliers specialise in the supplying diagnostic and first aid equipment to individuals and private companies. They offer online services which customers can use to browse the wide range of products varying from first aid kits, to resuscitation masks and blood pressure monitors. With first aid kits being so universally essential, the supplier’s clientele ranges vastly from normal members of the public, to health organisations, Schools, Care Homes, as well as Surgeries of course. Orders can be placed online and then be conveniently delivered within a few days in the UK.

First aid kits/supplies

As is often shown in the news, personal hygiene is a really important part of daily life be it from washing both your hands after using the lavatory or coming into contact with raw meat or poultry always be sure that cuts are cleaned, and properly dressed so as to prevent infection. One way to be sure that the latter is definitely possible in almost any eventuality is to keep a completely stocked emergency first aid kit which can be easily accessed when needed.

There is a wide selection of first aid kits available on the open market, from your small basic one person sets available from most hiking shops and pharmacists to the St John’s Ambulance selection with enough supplies to meet the requirements of 10, 20 and even 50 people that comply with all of the most up to date health and safety regulations. However, because possessing a poorly stocked emergency first aid kit can be ultimately as bad as not having one at all, it is vital to replace any stock that has been used. This is why, it is possible to buy refill packs that include all of the necessary items such as plasters, dressings of varied lengths and sizes, disinfectant wipes, bandages, eyepads, safety pins and latex gloves. If however, one particular item becomes necessary, it is possible to get a range of them individually without the need to splash out on a complete refill set.

However, some businesses might require hygiene and health and safety goods that may not be typically a part of first aid kits, such as eyewash stations and first aid signs. In such cases there are numerous online suppliers who are able to provide such items among others allowing these firms to stick to health and safety guidelines.

It should be noted, however, that these suppliers do not only supply to businesses since they in addition provide first aid kits and some other items specifically for sports teams including additional items that include cold/hot packs plus emergency foil blankets.

BS-8599 Choosing the right British Standard Kit

BS-8599 British Standard First Aid Kits

Choosing the correct kit for your organisation

Employers are required to make a risk assessment to decide what the hazards are and how many employees are involved in the areas to be covered. This does not have to be an onerous task and may be as simple as checking through the accident record book to determine the types and numbers of injuries that have occurred in the recent past.

The table below is a useful guide to match risk assessment and appropriate kit size.

Category of Hazard	Number of Employees	Size of kit required
Low Hazard e.g. shops, offices, libraries etc.	Less than 25	Small Kit
	25-100	Medium Kit
	More than 100	Large Kit per every 100 employees
High Hazard e.g. Engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical industry, etc.	Less than 5	Small Kit
	6-25	Medium Kit
	More than 25	Large Kit per every 25 employees

New British Standard for Workplace First Aid Kits Announced

BRITISH STANDARD BS-8599

NEW WORKPLACE FIRST AID KITS

The new BSI Workplace First Aid Kit is fit for purpose, meets customer demand and is appropriate for the modern workplace.

Available from early August 2011.

Buy online at www.hygienefirst.co.uk

These new kits help to simplify selection for both employers and specifiers to meet their legal and moral obligations. The previous 10/20/50 person kits will be replaced by small, medium and large workplace kits as well as a travel version for staff who spend time away from the workplace.

Contents as follows:

Content	Small	Medium	Large	Travel
Guidance Leaflet	1	1	1	1
Contents List	1	1	1	1
Medium Sterile Dressing	4	6	8	1
Large Sterile Dressing	1	2	2	1
Triangular Bandage	2	3	4	1
Safety pins	6	12	24	2
Sterilr Eyepad	2	3	4	1
W/Proof Plasters	40	60	100	10
Sterile Saline Wipes	20	30	40	4
Microporous Tape	1	1	1	1
Nitrile Gloves (pairs)	6	9	12	1
Sterile Finger Dressing	2	3	4	0
Resuscitation Face Shield	1	1	2	1
Foil Blanket	1	2	3	1
Sterile Eyewash 150ml	0	0	0	1
Hydrogel Burn Dressing	1	2	2	1
Scissors	1	1	1	1
Conforming Bandage	1	2	2	1