How to Set Up a First Aid Station in a Workshop or Shed

Does Your Workshop Have a Proper First Aid Setup?

Most workshops have a first aid kit somewhere. Usually it's a generic green box in a drawer, half-empty, with contents that haven't been checked since it was purchased. But if someone was injured on the floor today, could your team find the kit quickly and actually use it?

A good workshop first aid setup isn't complicated. The goal is to make sure the right equipment is easy to find, easy to access and suited to the hazards in your workplace.

This guide walks through how to set up a practical first aid station in a workshop, depot or shed — and how to keep it stocked and ready when someone actually needs it.

---

What the WHS Rules Require for Workshops

Under Australian WHS laws, businesses need to provide access to first aid equipment and facilities that are appropriate for the workplace. The exact arrangements should be determined by a risk assessment that considers things like the hazards present, the size and location of the workplace, and the number of people who may need first aid.

For a workshop, that means your first aid setup should reflect the work actually being carried out. Angle grinders, welding equipment, power tools, machinery, chemicals, sharp materials and manual handling can all create different first aid needs.

At a minimum, Safe Work Australia's guidance says workplaces should have a first aid kit that is clearly accessible to workers and located where it can be accessed quickly. Workplaces may also need trained first aiders and additional first aid facilities depending on their risk assessment.

For more information, see our guide to construction and worksite first aid kits.

---

Step 1 — Choose the Right Kit

For a workshop, depot or shed, you want a kit that can handle the environment — not one designed primarily for an office or kitchen.

The Trade Aid Classic Kit is designed specifically for construction, trade and industrial environments and is suitable for workshops and factory floors. It features a 5mm weatherproof rip-stop outer, heavy-duty zip, clearly organised compartments and supplies including wound dressings, eye pads, hydrogel, a pressure bandage and snake bite bandage.

The built-in mounting options also make it suitable for a permanent workshop setup, rather than leaving the kit buried in a drawer or toolbox.

If your workshop also has mobile workers heading out to jobs, consider adding a Compact Kit to each work vehicle. Safe Work Australia's guidance specifically recommends first aid kits in work vehicles when workers travel for their jobs.

---

Step 2 — Mount It Properly

The most important thing about a first aid kit in a workshop is that everyone knows exactly where it is and can get to it quickly.

A kit hidden in a drawer under the workbench might technically exist, but it's not a very useful emergency setup.

Mount your kit in a clearly visible location that:

• Is easy to see and access from the main working areas
• Is not blocked by machinery, vehicles, stock or storage
• Is protected from unnecessary exposure to grinding dust, oil, welding spatter and other contaminants
• Can be reached quickly by workers without having to search for it
• Is known to everyone working in the workshop

A simple test is this: if a new worker walked into the workshop today, could you point them to the first aid kit immediately? If not, your setup could probably be improved.

---

Step 3 — Clearly Mark the First Aid Location

Your first aid equipment should be clearly identifiable so workers can locate it quickly in an emergency.

Use an appropriate first aid sign and make sure it is visible from the areas where people are working. In a larger workshop, consider additional directional signage if the main first aid station isn't immediately obvious from every part of the workplace.

The aim is simple: nobody should have to ask where the first aid kit is when someone is injured.

You can also add a small first aid sticker or sign directly above the kit to make its location obvious.

---

Step 4 — Build a Practical Emergency Station

A good workshop first aid station can go beyond the kit itself. Depending on the hazards identified in your workplace, consider keeping the following together or nearby:

• First aid kit — clearly visible, accessible and appropriately stocked
• Eye wash — particularly important where there is a risk of dust, particles or chemical splashes
• Burn treatment — appropriate supplies and access to cool running water
• Emergency contacts — display relevant workplace and emergency contact information
• First aid procedures — make sure workers know who the first aiders are and how to access assistance

The exact facilities you need will depend on your workplace risk assessment. A workshop using welding equipment and chemicals may need a different setup from a small woodworking shed.

---

Step 5 — Assign Someone to Look After It

Even the best first aid kit becomes useless if nobody checks it.

Give someone responsibility for keeping the workshop's first aid setup organised. This could be the owner, supervisor, safety representative or another suitable worker.

Their job should include:

• Checking the kit regularly
• Replacing items that have been used
• Checking for expired or damaged supplies
• Making sure the kit remains easy to access
• Checking that the first aid sign remains visible
• Making sure workers know who the trained first aiders are
• Reviewing the setup when workplace hazards or operations change

Safe Work Australia recommends that first aid arrangements are reviewed as part of managing workplace risks. Your checking frequency should reflect how heavily the kit is used and the risks present in your workshop.

---

Step 6 — Keep the Kit Restocked

A first aid kit that's been raided for bandaids and never restocked isn't much use when someone needs a dressing, bandage or other essential item.

Check your kit regularly and replace anything that has been used, expired or damaged. If your workshop sees frequent use of particular items, you may need to check it more often.

You don't necessarily need to replace the entire kit every time something gets used. The Trade Aid Worksite Top-Up Kit is designed to replenish commonly used supplies so you can keep your existing kit operational.

View the Worksite Top-Up Kit →

---

What About First Aid Training?

Having the equipment is only one part of your first aid arrangements. Depending on the risks and circumstances of your workplace, you may also need trained first aiders.

Safe Work Australia recommends that first aiders hold a nationally recognised statement of attainment from a registered training organisation and keep their knowledge current through regular training.

For higher-risk workplaces, Safe Work Australia's guidance recommends one first aider for every 25 workers, while remote high-risk workplaces may require a higher level of first aid coverage.

The number of first aiders you need in your workshop should ultimately be determined by your workplace's risk assessment and the requirements of your relevant state or territory regulator.

---

Quick Workshop First Aid Setup Checklist

• ☐ Appropriate first aid kit selected for the workshop hazards
• ☐ Kit mounted or stored somewhere clearly visible and accessible
• ☐ First aid location clearly marked
• ☐ Emergency contact information available
• ☐ Eye wash and additional facilities provided where required by the workplace risk assessment
• ☐ Trained first aider arrangements reviewed
• ☐ Someone assigned responsibility for checking the kit
• ☐ Used and expired items replaced
• ☐ First aid arrangements reviewed when workplace hazards change

If you can tick those boxes, you're well on your way to a first aid setup that's practical, accessible and appropriate for your workshop.

---

Why Trade Aid Kits Work Well in Workshops

A workshop isn't an office — and your first aid kit shouldn't be designed like one.

Trade Aid Kits are built specifically for construction, trade and industrial environments, with durable materials, organised compartments and supplies selected for the types of injuries workers can encounter on the job.

The Classic Kit is the larger option for workshops, depots and fixed worksite setups, while the Compact Kit is designed for mobile workers, tool bags and vehicles.

This article provides general information about workplace first aid arrangements in Australia. WHS requirements can vary between states and territories and depend on the hazards, size and location of your workplace. Check with your relevant WHS regulator for requirements specific to your business.