Earlier this year the British Healthcare Trade Association (BHTA) announced the release of a new British Standard BS 8599-2. This new standard came into effect in February 2014. It directly relates to Motor Vehicle First Aid Kits.
The new British Standard represents best practise. It is a comprehensive document that states what vehicles should carry and what a motor vehicle first aid kit’s contents should be. The standard is aimed at improving safety for UK motorists by ensuring there is adequate first aid provision at road traffic accidents.
How will the new standard improve first aid treatment?
Having a British Standard motor vehicle first aid kit will mean faster treatment of casualties at the roadside. These first aid supplies could help prevent major blood loss in cases of serious injury. For minor incidents that require treatment but not hospital admission, having access to first aid supplies will mean treatment is immediately available, reducing ambulance call-outs and non-emergency hospital admissions.
Which industries should consider having kits?
All industries will benefit from the new British Standard motor vehicle first aid kit – logistics businesses, MOT testers, taxi and private hire businesses, driving schools, mobile services and employees that travel by motor vehicle. By having a kit it will allow trained first aiders to administer first aid, even if the vehicle carrying the kit does not have a trained first aider present.
What type of British Standard motor vehicle first aid kit do I require?
There are 3 different sizes of new BS Motor Vehicle First Aid Kits – small, medium and large. The numbers of components change depending on the size. A risk/first aid needs assessment should be carried out to identify your requirements. This may highlight additional content required, e.g. more foil blankets. The table below is an extract from the new BS 8599-2. This can be used for kit size guidance.
| Number of Passengers | Vehicle examples | Number and size of first aid kits required |
| 1-3 | Mopeds, motorcycles, motor tricycles and quadricyles | 1 x small |
| 1-8 | Cars, taxis, commercial vehicles | 1 x medium |
| 1-16 | Minibuses, small buses | 1 x large |
| 17+ | Buses, coaches | 2 x large* |
*multi-level vehicles may require more than two kits
Source: British Standard Institution 2013
What is included in the contents of the new kits?
The new British Standard Motor Vehicle Kits come in 3 different sizes. The content that you will require will depend on the type of motor vehicle and number of passengers. The type of content is similar to a British Standard Workplace First Aid Kit. The quantities of each component differ. This is to match typical requirements for roadside emergencies. There is also an introduction of a Trauma Dressing. This is a pressure bandage with a low adherent wound contact pad. The table below details the content in each new kit compliant with BS 8599-2.
| Component | SmallQty | MediumQty | LargeQty |
| First Aid Guidance Leaflet | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Content List | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Trauma Dressing – large | 1 | ||
| Trauma Dressing – medium | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Emergency First Aid Dressing | 1 | 2 | |
| Triangular Bandage | 1 | 2 | |
| Cleansing Wipes | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| Sterile Adhesive Dressings | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| Nitrile Disposable Gloves | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Resuscitation Face Shield | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Foil Blanket | 1 | 3 | |
| Adherent Dressing | 1 | 2 | |
| Burn Dressing | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Clothing Cutters | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Source: British Standard Institution 2013
The introduction of the new British Standard Motor Vehicle First Aid Kits provides clear guidance on roadside first aid. Now is a good time to assess your first aid needs for travelling employees. You should consider the introduction of new first aid kits and First Aid at Work training. Browse BS 8599-2 compliant first aid kits.
Talk to one of our experts today to find out about how we can help you with your first aid training requirements.
For further information you can visit the British Standards Institution.
