2019: Happy New . . . Standard

British Standards have reviewed their recommendations and released a new version: BS8599-1:2019.

BS8599-1 is the 'suggested' standard for workplace first-aid kits. It's not a legal requirement, but adherence shows that your company takes 'all reasonable steps' for the welfare of their employees. Presumably it's a good basis for a domestic kit as well.

I'm not convinced that it neccessarily enforces a good standard of quality of the components of a kit (both the good and bad are made in China these days, so no hint there), so go to a reputable seller or buy known brand name.

The new standard comes into effect ('force' seems too strong a word for it) at the end of January 2019, with a years grace. So vendors can still sell their 2014-standard based stock as compliant until next year: check the numbers in the adverts. Still, it might be a good time to look for stock-clearance price reductions?

After looking at the usage statistics since the 2014 release, and presumably comparing them to the pre-2014 reports, there are four main updates:

• Fewer medium dressings in favour of more large dressings.
• The sizes and names have been jiggered about.
• New classes of kit have been created.
• Safety pins have been banned.

How important is size?

Complying with this one seems like little more than chucking out a #12 and putting in an extra #18. Or two.

However, the spirit of the change could be to encourage the keeping of 'heavier duty' items rather than just bigger ones. Traumafix, Maxiflex and the like seem to be commoner these days.

Is Size Important?

Although the small, medium and large sizes remain the same (except as above and below) the travel 'size' has been . . . re-named. Sounds like a bureaucratic-busibody sort of change, but it does have a practical outcome - the 'Travel and Motoring' size is now the same as the 'Medium Motorist' kit. Simple, at least.

One small caveat:

The Workplace Refill Kit does NOT contain a Traumafix dressing, but the Motorist Refill Kit does.

New Kits on the Block

In addition to the original four named sizes two new sizes have been created:

• 'Personal' - the smallest of the range.
• 'Critical' - not big, but punches above it's weight.

Personal Issue Kit

Basically a wearable pouch with a few bits for small to medium injuries. Ideal for nomadic First-Aid-at-Work types and lone-workers.

Critical Injury Pack

Yikes, you'll hope never to need this. In addition to the handful of standard bits there is a military-grade tourniquet and Hæmostatic dressing. Apparently you should have training before using that, so it's not quite an off-the-shelf solution.

Health and Safety Pins

Seriously? This part sounds like the heartwarming/comedy ' . . . and finally' item on a news broadcast. Alright, not strictly 'banned', more out-of-favour.

For the record, safety pins are out of fashion because they might prick someone. Put an extra reel of tape in kits where there's room for it. That's all.

My Thoughts

Existing kits are still mainly good, and the couple of relevant minor changes are very easy to implement. If you're unlucky you might do them by natural replacement.

Since there is a year-long transitional period even sticklers can take their time. I mean, you do check for shortages and outdated items regularly anyway - don't you?

I stumbled on this change whilst looking up a few replacement items and noticed the new kits on the St. John website. Seems they've already embraced the changes (so, no sale items there!), and have a news feature that's absurdly hard to find: I tracked it down to here.

Reliance Medical have caught up (sold off all their BS8599-1:2014 stock now? - ignore me, I'm being cynical) and have a compliant range. No prices given, but they're in Stoke-on-Trent. You know what they say - “Talke is cheap”.

They do have an interesting range of options - for example their Personal Issue kit is available as a bag, a bum-bag, a vinyl wallet or ‘Aura Box’. (I think that's a molded plastic box with integral handle.)