Do you need a first aid kit in your work vehicle?
For many Australian workers, using a vehicle is an essential part of their working day.
Whether travelling between job sites, visiting customers, delivering goods or journeying to regional locations, workers can spend hours away from their usual workplace. During that time, an accident or medical emergency can happen without warning.
A first aid kit in a work vehicle helps ensure basic first aid supplies are available when they are needed. It can make a difference when treating a minor injury, responding to a roadside incident or assisting someone while waiting for emergency services.
For employers, providing suitable first aid equipment in all work vehicles is also an important part of meeting workplace health and safety responsibilities.
Is a first aid kit required in a work vehicle?
Under Australian work health and safety (WHS) requirements, businesses must provide workers with access to appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and trained first aid personnel.
Safe Work Australia specifically recommends keeping first aid kits inside work vehicles when workers travel as part of their job. This recognises that mobile workers may be some distance from the business premises, a first aid room or other readily accessible equipment.
A vehicle used for work can effectively become an extension of the workplace. This includes company cars, delivery vans, trucks, taxis, service vehicles and vehicles used by tradespeople or field-based staff.
Employers should consider the journeys workers make, the locations they visit, the number of people travelling and the types of incidents they could encounter.
A suitable vehicle first aid kit should form part of the organisation’s broader first aid arrangements.
Why mobile workers face different first aid risks
Workers who spend much of their day on the road may face different hazards from those in a fixed workplace.
They may work alone, travel through unfamiliar areas, visit remote properties or attend locations where medical assistance is some distance away.
Road accidents are an obvious concern. A worker may be involved in a collision or arrive at the scene of an incident before emergency services. Other common situations include cuts, burns, eye injuries, sprains, strains and other mishaps sustained while loading or unloading equipment.
Tradespeople and maintenance workers may also carry tools and materials that create additional hazards. Delivery drivers can experience manual handling injuries, while outdoor workers may face environmental conditions such as heat, insects and uneven terrain.
The time taken for help to arrive is another important consideration. A worker travelling through a metropolitan area may be relatively close to medical assistance, while someone working in a regional or remote location could face a considerably longer wait. A vehicle first aid kit provides access to basic supplies during this gap.
A vehicle first aid kit also gives workers a practical way to help a colleague or another person at the scene of an incident, provided they can do so safely and within their level of training.
What should a work vehicle first aid kit contain?
The contents of a work vehicle first aid kit should reflect the hazards associated with the work.
A risk assessment can help determine which supplies are appropriate, whether additional equipment is required and how many people the kit needs to support.
A general-purpose vehicle kit should provide supplies for common injuries and emergencies, including:
- Wound dressings and bandages for cuts, grazes and bleeding
- Disposable gloves to reduce the risk of contact with blood and other bodily fluids
- Burn dressings or burn treatment supplies for minor burns
- Eye pads and eyewash for certain eye injuries and contamination
- Thermal blanket to help keep an injured person warm
- Scissors, tape and safety pins to assist with basic first aid procedures
- Resuscitation face shield to provide a barrier during rescue breaths
- First aid instructions to support an appropriate response
The contents should be suitable for the expected risks and the number of people who may need assistance.
For example, a vehicle used by a single worker on short metropolitan journeys may have different requirements from a vehicle carrying several workers to remote construction or maintenance sites.
Additional supplies may be necessary where workers face specific hazards, such as chemical exposure, serious burns, severe allergic reactions or snake bite. These risks should be identified through the workplace risk assessment.
Where should you store a first aid kit in a work vehicle?
A first aid kit is only useful if workers can locate and access it quickly.
It should be stored in a clearly identified, accessible location, such as a suitable compartment behind a seat or in a secure storage area. A glovebox or seat pocket may be appropriate for a compact kit, as long as it’s within easy reach. Larger vehicles may require a designated storage location that is accessible to the driver and other occupants.
Avoid storing a kit beneath heavy equipment, behind loose cargo or in a location that could become inaccessible or even dangerous in a collision. It should also be protected from damage, moisture, dust and excessive heat.
Australian vehicles can experience high interior temperatures, particularly when parked in direct sunlight. Heat may affect the condition and shelf life of some first aid products. Follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions and check the contents regularly for deterioration or damage.
Workers should know where the kit is kept and how to access it. A short familiarisation session can help drivers become comfortable with the kit’s layout before an emergency occurs.
How often should you service a vehicle first aid kit?
A first aid kit needs regular attention to ensure it stays complete, compliant and ready for use.
Supplies may be used during an incident, damaged while travelling or lose their integrity as they approach expiry dates.
Assign responsibility for checking each vehicle’s kit. Inspections should take place after every use and at regular intervals, with a formal check at least every six months.
During an inspection, check that:
- All listed items are present and accounted for
- Used or missing supplies have been replaced
- Sterile dressings and other sealed products remain unopened
- Items are within their expiry dates and have not deteriorated
- First aid instructions and the contents list are available
- Case, compartments and contents are clean and undamaged
Record each inspection, including the date and any replacement supplies required.
A simple vehicle checklist can help fleet managers and supervisors monitor multiple kits and follow up on outstanding maintenance.
Choosing a first aid kit for your work vehicle
When selecting a vehicle first aid kit, consider its size, portability, contents and suitability for the work being performed.
A compact kit is easier to store in a car or light commercial vehicle, while a larger kit may be more appropriate for vehicles carrying several workers or travelling to higher-risk locations.
Organise the kit so supplies can be identified quickly. Transparent compartments and a clearly arranged carry case can save valuable time when someone needs assistance in an emergency.
Most importantly, choose a kit that matches the findings of your workplace first aid risk assessment.
A general vehicle kit may suit many mobile workers, but higher-risk activities or remote work may require additional equipment and emergency arrangements.
Brenniston National Standard Motor Vehicle First Aid Kit
The Brenniston National Standard Motor Vehicle First Aid Kit is designed for workers who need convenient access to first aid supplies while travelling.
The kit is ideal for company cars, corporate fleets and taxis, and supports between one and five people.
The lightweight kit comes in a compact nylon carry bag measuring 21 cm x 11 cm x 16 cm and weighing approximately 500 grams. Its transparent compartments make supplies easier to identify and retrieve, and its compact design lets you store it in a glovebox or seat pocket.
The kit contains supplies for common roadside first aid situations, including burns, bleeding, wounds and eye injuries. Contents include wound dressings, gauze and crepe bandages, burn hydrogel sachets, sterile eye pads, saline eyewash ampoules, disposable gloves, a thermal shock blanket and a resuscitation face shield. It also includes scissors, forceps, safety pins, a contents list and first aid and CPR instructions.
Designed and produced in Australia, the kit meets the Australian First Aid in the Workplace National Code of Practice. It’s a practical option for mobile staff, couriers and fleet managers who want to equip work vehicles with accessible first aid supplies.
As part of the Brenniston National Standard range, the kit gives you peace-of-mind when choosing the right first aid kit for your workplace. The Brenniston National Standard raises the benchmark in workplace first aid kit quality and compliance.
Every time you purchase a Brenniston National Standard First Aid Kit, you help fund Greenfleet’s planting of Australian native, biodiverse forests that absorb carbon from the atmosphere, improve soil and water quality, and provide vital habitat for our native wildlife.
To learn more, visit Brenniston National Standard Motor Vehicle First Aid Kit
Conclusion
A first aid kit in a work vehicle helps ensure workers can respond to injuries and emergencies while away from their usual workplace.
For businesses with mobile staff, it’s an important consideration when assessing workplace first aid needs and meeting their duty of care.
Choose a kit that reflects the hazards workers may encounter, store it somewhere accessible and check its contents regularly. Make sure drivers know where it is kept and understand how to use the supplies within their level of first aid training.
When workers are travelling for business, having appropriate first aid equipment close at hand helps make the journey safer.
References
Safe Work Australia - First aid
Safe Work Australia - Model Code of Practice - First aid in the workplace