KitoraWho should look after the workplace first aid kit?
Name a maintainer and backup for each kit. Keep checks, restocking and shift handovers clear.
Put one person in charge of checking each kit, and choose someone to cover when they’re away.
What the maintainer does
The person in charge checks stock, condition and expiry dates, notes what has been used and arranges replacements. A first aider often suits the role, but a supervisor or another reliable worker can do the checks too.
The business still has to provide suitable first aid equipment and make sure workers can reach it; a named checker does not take on that overall duty. SafeWork NSW’s workplace guidance explains this responsibility.
Make checks and handover clear
For each kit, record its location, the primary maintainer, the backup and the person who orders replacements. Agree how workers report an item used or damaged and who confirms the shortage has been fixed. This keeps the process moving when the usual maintainer is away or the kit is used on another shift.
Check after each use and at least once a year if a kit stays unused; those are the intervals in the national model guidance. In Victoria, the schedule is quarterly and after every first aid event.
Check the items, not just the list
Confirm required items are present, usable and within their expiry dates. Keep sterile supplies sealed. Date and sign the inventory after a check, and make sure a replacement is back in the kit after it is ordered.
Review cover when work changes
When a shift is added, a work area opens or the kit moves, check that the backup can still cover it. Workers should know who to tell about missing or damaged supplies and who will get the kit ready for the next shift.
For check timing and records, see the first aid kit check guide and inspection record guide. Use the restocking sheet to pass replacement items to the person who orders them.
