Supplies Get Used
Gloves, dressings and wipes can disappear from a kit without anyone noticing. An inspection shows you what needs restocking.
First Aid Kit Inspection Checklist.
Missing supplies and expired items are the last things you want to discover when someone needs first aid. Our free checklist helps you review the condition, contents and accessibility of your workplace kit.
Check your kit online, or enter your email to get a printable PDF that you can keep with your workplace records.
What You'll Check
A practical starting point for reviewing your first aid setup.
- Location and access
- Contents and missing supplies
- Expiry dates and packaging
- Container condition
Download the printable inspection checklist for a more detailed review.
Why Check Your First Aid Kit?
A kit can look fine from the outside and still be missing the things your crew needs. Someone uses a dressing and forgets to replace it. An expiry date slips past. A new worker doesn't know where the kit is kept.
Regular inspections help you pick up these issues before someone needs first aid. They also give you a chance to confirm your supplies still suit the hazards and people at your workplace.
Supplies Can Deteriorate
Check expiry dates, packaging and sterile seals. Heat, moisture and rough handling can affect the condition of first aid supplies.
Workplaces Change
New jobs, equipment or work areas can mean different risks. Check that your first aid setup still suits the work and is easy to access.
Check Your First Aid Kit.
Work through these ten checks for your workplace first aid kit. Mark each item as OK or Needs attention, then review anything you've flagged with the person responsible for first aid at your workplace.
This quick check is a general guide, not a compliance certification or a substitute for a workplace risk assessment. For further guidance, see Safe Work Australia's first aid information.
TAKE THE CHECKLIST BACK TO SITE.
A quick kit check is useful. Keeping a record of what needs attention is what helps you follow through.
Get the printable Trade Aid first aid kit inspection checklist to record your inspection, note missing supplies and organise follow-up actions.
WHAT'S INSIDE?
- Inspection date, location and inspector details
- Checks for contents, expiry dates and kit condition
- Space for missing items and corrective actions
- Follow-up and reinspection record
DON'T JUST CHECK THE EXPIRY DATES.
A first aid kit can look well stocked and still have important gaps. When you're checking a workplace kit, look beyond the dates printed on the packets.
These are five issues worth checking, whether your kit lives in a workshop, on site or in a work ute.
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Missing supplies
Gloves, dressings and wound-care supplies get used, but don't always get replaced. Compare the contents with your workplace's required inventory and replenish what's missing.
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Expired products
Check the individual dates on sterile dressings, saline and other dated supplies. Replace products that have passed their manufacturer's expiry date.
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Damaged packaging
A product can still be in date but no longer suitable to keep. Look for torn sterile packs, broken seals, leaks, moisture or contamination, and replace affected items.
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Hard-to-reach kits
A complete kit isn't much help if workers can't find or reach it. Check the location, signage and access across shifts, vehicles and work areas.
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Outdated first aid setup
New equipment, more workers or different hazards can change what your workplace needs. Review your kit against the current workplace risk assessment, not just its original contents.
Found something to replace?
You might not need a completely new kit. If the bag and reusable equipment are still suitable, replacing used, damaged or expired supplies may be all that's needed.
FIRST AID KIT INSPECTION FAQS.
Checking a workplace first aid kit shouldn't be complicated. Here are answers to the questions businesses most often have about inspections, expiry dates and keeping supplies ready.
How often should a workplace first aid kit be inspected?
Check the kit after it has been used and replace depleted supplies as soon as practicable. WorkSafe WA recommends checking an unused kit at least once a year. Busy worksites, vehicles and high-use environments may need more frequent checks depending on the risks and conditions.
See WorkSafe WA's first aid guidance for the recommended maintenance checks.
Who is responsible for checking first aid kits at work?
The business needs to make sure appropriate first aid equipment is available and maintained. It's sensible to nominate someone to inspect each kit and organise replacements. WorkSafe WA recommends assigning that responsibility to a trained first aider where possible.
If your business has multiple worksites or vehicles, make it clear who's responsible for each kit rather than assuming somebody else has checked it.
What should I look for during a first aid kit inspection?
Check that the kit is easy to locate and access. Compare the contents with the workplace's required inventory, replace missing items, check manufacturer expiry dates and look for torn or opened sterile packaging. Inspect the bag, case and reusable tools for damage or contamination as well.
Not sure what your workplace needs? Read our Australian first aid kit contents guide.
Do I need to replace the entire kit if some supplies have expired?
Not necessarily. If the bag and reusable equipment are still in good condition, and the kit still suits your workplace, you can generally replace individual expired, used or damaged supplies rather than throwing out the entire kit.
Our first aid kit expiry guide explains which items to check and when to replace them.
Should I keep a record of first aid kit inspections?
Yes, it's good practice. A dated inspection record makes it easier to see which kits have been checked, what was missing and what still needs attention. WorkSafe WA recommends keeping the kit inventory updated, signed and dated.
Our printable checklist is designed to give you space to record inspection details and follow-up actions, rather than relying on someone's memory.
Does every Australian workplace need the same first aid kit contents?
No. The equipment should reflect the workplace's hazards, workforce, location and the way people work. A workshop, construction site, office and mobile work crew may have different needs. Use your workplace risk assessment to decide what belongs in the kit, including any additional supplies required for specific risks.
Does completing this checklist prove our workplace is compliant?
No. This is a general maintenance aid, not a compliance certificate. Workplace first aid arrangements also depend on risk assessments, access to suitable equipment, trained first aiders and the requirements applying in your state or territory. Follow the relevant work health and safety guidance when setting up and reviewing your first aid arrangements.
MAKE YOUR NEXT KIT CHECK COUNT.
Give your next inspection a proper paper trail. Get the free printable checklist to record what you've checked, note anything that needs replacing and keep track of follow-up actions.
Found a few gaps in your first aid setup? Missing or damaged supplies should be addressed promptly, and your kit should still suit the risks of your workplace.