When planning first aid preparedness and purchasing first aid supplies, you must take into account the nature and special circumstances of the work and the workplace.

In dangerous sectors where people work alone, the employer must ensure that appropriate devices (such as mobile phones or radiophones) are on hand so that you can call for help. Functioning of the equipment (such as audibility and battery life) must be taken into account when first aid preparedness is planned.

Storage of first aid supplies

First aid supplies must be kept in good order so that they are easy to access and, if necessary, to carry to in the accident site. At fixed workplaces, the storage location may be a first aid cabinet, a package on a wall mount or a portable box. The wound care equipment intended for the treatment of small injuries will best be kept clean in its own box (so-called plaster automat).

The first aid kit, cabinet or other packaging must bear a clearly visible and durable label with a white cross on a green base (except in cases where use of the SPR logo is authorised).

If necessary, the location of the first aid devices shall be indicated with signs. For example, it is a good idea to have information on the location of first aid equipment on the bulletin board in personnel premises. Details of the persons with first aid skills and instructions for calling for help may also be posted on the bulletin board.

​​​​​​​The first aid supplies specified in occupational health cooperation must be available at the workplace.

The employer must ensure that a specific person is responsible for each set of first aid supplies (such as first aid cabinet, pack or other package), either separately or at each workplace. The task of this person is to check the quantity and condition of the first aid supplies and the cleanliness of the storage site once a month. The employer must be notified of any inadequacies in the first aid supplies.

If necessary, a stretcher or other transfer device must be available at the workplace for the transfer of injured or ill persons. Based on a situational assessment, the stretcher can be used to move an injured person to a safer location to wait for emergency medical care. The condition of the injured person must be taken into account to avoid further injuries. The injured person should only be moved if this is necessary, for example, due to severe frost, fire or other smoke or gas hazards.

Lightweight stretchers or different carrying clothes can often be more useful than ordinary stretchers. The use of vacuum mattress makes it considerably easier in particular to transport a patient who is in pain. It may be used as a carrier or on a stretcher as such. It is advisable to keep instructions on transport positions of the injured or ill persons in the same place where stretcher or other carriers are kept.

In workplaces where there is a risk of fire or explosion or of splashes of corrosive and toxic chemicals, the equipment must include an eye irrigation device and an emergency shower. Quick access to an emergency shower or eye irrigation can prevent serious eye injuries and burns. The showers must be tested regularly to ensure that the water in the showers is at an appropriate temperature. In Finland, clean tap water (drinking water) can also be used to rinse eyes.

Eye irrigation can also be arranged at a fixed irrigation point (e.g. in connection with a water tap), an eye irrigation bottle or an eye irrigation spray. When choosing a suitable method of implementation, the risks at the workplace should be taken into account, for example whether there is a hazards are caused by metal shavings or chemical splashing. The expertise of occupational health care can be utilised in this. If it is necessary to continue irrigation of the eye on the way to the first aid, a mobile eye irrigation option may also be necessary.