Workshops are places where the risk of accidents is high, we all realize that.
Just think of that razor-sharp saw blade that rotates at high speed on the table saw, or flying particles when working with the drill press.
Accidents can happen in a blink of an eye.

That is why it is important that you are prepared, and have a well-stocked First Aid Kit on hand in your woodworking shop.

But what the hell should be in that First Aid Kit?

I know, it can be overwhelming when you start making a workshop first aid kit but don’t worry, I’m here for you! I’ll make you a shortlist to start with.

The items that should be in a workshop first aid kit are: Disinfectant, Adhesive plaster, Wound plasters, Sterile Pressure, Dressings, Bandages, Triangular bandages, Disposable Gloves, Stainless-steel Scissors, Stainless-steel tweezers, blanket and/or insulation blanket, and Safety pins.
With these items, you have the most common stuff to use in an emergency situation.

In this article, I will go into more detail about these materials. By the end of reading all this information, you will know exactly how to use these materials and how to put together a first aid kit that fits your workshop or situation.
I will also go into what extras you can add depending on the risks in your workplace.

With this article, I want to take it even a step further, and teach you how to maintain a first aid kit.
Like that, you always have the best materials in case there is a workshop emergency.

To do all this, and to help you properly assemble and maintain a kit, I have a free first aid kit checklist available for you.

After reading this article, be sure to download the handy FREE FIRST AID KIT CHECKLIST, it will surely help you!

What does First aid mean?

Before we go on with this article, it’s a good idea to understand what first aid actually means.

First aid involves providing assistance to a person who is suddenly ill or injured.
Providing first aid can help preserve the victim’s life, prevent the condition from worsening, and aid recovery.

In case of an emergency, remember the 3 C’s:

Check: If the area appears safe, check the victim for life-threatening conditions.

Call: Remain calm, and be prepared to give a description of the situation, as well as the exact location where responders need to be.

Care: Based on the level of training you have and the equipment and supplies available, provide what care you can until medical personnel arrives. 

As mentioned in the intro of this article, a workshop can be a dangerous place.
So it is very important to think about the risks of your shop.
When you understand the risks in your workshop, you can determine how your First Aid Kit for woodworking shop is best put together.

To give you a better insight into the different risks of a woodworking workshop, I will list the most important here:

• cuts
• amputations
• debris in the eyes
• burns
• electrocution

Workshop safety tips

You’ve probably heard this phrase hundreds of times, but allow me to say it once again:

“Better to prevent than to cure”.

By taking the right precautions, in some cases, you can avoid or make accidents less bad. 

When fate strikes, you can offer help to yourself or others faster through the preventive actions you took.

A few good tips for workshop safety you can implement in your shop are:

Tip #1: Multiple First Aid Kits.
A First Aid Kit in your workshop is a good decision, but consider placing several.

Place one Kit at eye level with a clearly marked pictogram. 
You know well that this Kit is there, but that way it is also clear to people who do not know your shop.

Place a second Kit low to the ground.
If due to circumstances you can no longer reach the first aid kit at eye level, you can always use this kit from the ground.

Also, place a kit in your car.
When someone takes you to the hospital, you still have all the first aid material available in the car.

Tip #2: Mobile phone nearby.

I always make sure that I have my mobile phone in my pocket.
The moment something should happen I always have it at hand. 
I recommend doing the same.

Tip #3: Emergency numbers.

Put emergency numbers on your mobile phone.
Make shortcuts with which you can quickly dial the emergency number.

Also, put a list of emergency numbers in your workshop first aid kit.
When somebody has to help you, they will have the numbers at hand by opening the kit.
You can use the downloadable First aid kit checklist for this.

Tip #4: PPE.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to avoid accidents.
It is a small investment that can avoid major consequences.
I always use the following protective equipment as standard:

• Ear protection 
• Dust masks for woodworkers
• Safety glasses 
• Work gloves
• safety boots
• Blaklader work pant
• Blaklader foam knee pads, gray

Tip #5: Adopt a healthy working posture.

Make sure you are well-rested at the start of the work.
You will be able to work more concentrated and therefore safer.

Tip #6: Try to estimate the risks.

Before you start a project or part of a project, think briefly about what can happen.
A reflection of a few seconds that can give you the insight to work safer.

Tip #7: Clean up your workshop

Keeping workstations clean, clearing passageways, removing spills immediately can prevent many accidents.

Order and tidiness are basic prerequisites for workshop safety.

What should be in a workshop First Aid Kit?

In a workshop emergency, it is important that you have the right material quickly. 

Those materials can be stored in a first aid box to keep them clean and organized. 
To have a kit in your shop with all materials you need in case of emergency, you can start from scratch and put together a kit yourself, or you can buy a ready-made kit.
I will come back to these ready-made kits later in this blog.

In order for you to know what materials should be in a workshop first aid kit, first, I will discuss the most necessary and bare minimum first aid materials, that should definitely be present in a workshop First Aid Kit.

After that, I will go over the special risks together with the extra materials with which you can supplement the kit tailored to your workplace.

Be sure to download the handy free First aid kit checklist in this blog. That way, you can easily put together your workshop first aid kit and don’t forget anything.

How to put together a workshop first aid kit?

The bare minimum of materials that must be present in a kit, gives you the opportunity to provide first aid in the case of the most common accidents. 
That is why it is a good idea to put together a kit, on the basis of a first aid kit checklist, so you won’t miss anything.

A basic first aid kit, therefore, consists of:

• A first aid box
• Disinfectant
• Adhesive plaster
• Wound plasters
• Sterile Pressure Dressings
• Bandages
• Triangular bandages
• Disposable Gloves
• Stainless-steel Scissors
• Stainless-steel tweezers
• Blanket and/or insulation blanket
• Safety pins

Below, I will discuss these more in-depth. 

P.S. you don’t need to take notes here, all of this is on the downloadable first aid kit checklist for you.

First aid box

As a basis for your kit, you obviously need a well-sealed box in which all these materials can be put.

Look out for a box in which you can sort the various first aid items.
That way you have a quick overview in case of a workshop emergency.

Disinfectant

A disinfectant is a ready-to-use product that does not discolor the wound or only superficially.
Preferably, buy-in single-use vials or in the form of a disinfectant spray.

Adhesive plaster

With this plaster roll you can apply compresses and bandages. 
Some people may have allergic reactions when using adhesive plasters.
It is, therefore, preferable to use a hypoallergenic adhesive plaster.

Wound plasters

Adhesive plasters with a wound pad to cover small and superficial wounds.
You can buy this wound plaster on a roll and individually wrapped.

When you buy this wound plaster on a roll, you can already cut pieces in different sizes.
This way you quickly have the right wound plaster available in case of a workshop emergency, and you do not waste time having to cut.

Sterile Pressure Dressings

These emergency or quick dressings are bandages with a compress for stopping external bleeding or covering a wound.
These are used pending further care.
Buy elastic bandages with non-stick compresses.
Preferably also buy different sizes.

Bandages

With these elastic bandages, you can capture bandage material as well as apply pressure when stopping bleeding.
These bandages are available in different widths.

Triangular bandages

Triangular bandages made of cotton or gauze that are used to cover a wound pending further care.
You can also use these triangular bandages as a sling, for example, to support an arm or shoulder.

Disposable Gloves

These gloves protect the rescuer and the victim from the transmission of germs.
Preferably, buy vinyl gloves.

Stainless steel Scissors

To cut bandages or plasters, put in the kit some qualitative cutting stainless-steel scissors.

Stainless steel tweezers

Use these stainless steel tweezers to remove dirt such as glass or wood chips from a wound.

Blanket and/or insulation blanket

This blanket is a thin foil that protects the victim against extreme temperatures, such as hypothermia or overheating.

Safety pins

With safety pins, you can capture a triangular bandage safely and quickly.

Extras in the First Aid Kit for special risks​

In this section, I will discuss the special risks, together with the additional materials with which you can supplement the first aid kit, tailored to your workplace.

Burns

Wound ointment: When contracting a burn, you can use this anti-inflammatory ointment to cover a burn.

Eye injuries

Eyewash bottle: If dirt or a chemical accidentally gets into one or both eyes, you can use this product to rinse the eyes to remove the dirt or product as quickly as possible.

Bumping and tripping

Cool bags (cold packs): These gel cool bags are reusable and are stored in the freezer.
Disposable cooling bags also exist.
They get cold when you squeeze them, so you shouldn’t keep them in the freezer.

Amputation

Plastic bags: together with a cold pack, place the amputated part in this plastic bag, and close tightly.

Electrocution

AED: Automatic external defibrillator for use in CPR.

5 Best workshop first aid kits to buy

In addition to putting together your own first aid kit, you can also buy ready-made kits.
These are equipped with all the materials you may need in an emergency. These kits are the best-recommended ones.
For about the same price as putting together a kit yourself, you have the most complete kit.
All you need to do is give it a place in your shop.

First Aid Kit Hard Red Case 326 Pieces

Made by the number one leading manufacturer of Kits in the USA.
326 pieces of comprehensive first aid treatment products.
FDA approved: manufactured from the highest of quality FDA approved facility exceeding safety standards for emergency first aid, for adults and kids.

Meets or exceeds OSHA and ANSI 2009 guidelines for 100 people.
Ideal for most businesses and perfect for family use at home.

Fully organized interior compartments provide quick access.
Rugged, sturdy, high-density plastic case is impact resistant.

Two separate layers of first Aid for large and small first aid products, and tilting shelves designed for easy access and refill.

Wall mounts or folds compactly for storage.
Case dimensions: 13″ X 12″ X 4″. Easy slide latches securely lock into place. 

309 Pieces First Aid Kit Including Eyewash, Bandages, Moleskin Pad and Emergency Blanket for Travel, Home, Office, Car, Camping, Workplace

It contains 309 professional medical supplies such as Eyewash, Bandages, Moleskin Pad, and Emergency Blanket for Travel, Home, Office, Car, Camping, Workplace.

High-quality durable bag, made of high-quality nylon and the smooth satin cloth inside.
This provides extra great protection for medical accessories, and there’s a thick compartment between these 2 layers to provide better heat insulation, cold resistance and greatly improve the durability of this first aid kit.

Compact & lightweight 8.66” x 6.69” x 3.51, 720 grams only, easy to carry, small and lightweight that fits anywhere in your car, RV, ATV, yacht, boat, jeep, bike, or motorcycle. Ideal for home, workplace, outdoor, travel, boat, camping, hiking, and other emergency situations.

2-in-1 First Aid Kit (348-Piece) Double-Sided Hardcase + Bonus 32-Piece Mini Kit

The World’s ONLY First Aid Kit with double-sided front & back opening.

Heavy-duty hard case: Built to last in the toughest workplace environments & weather conditions.

348 Items organized into 20 Quick-Access Interior Compartments.

Travel Size, Portable, Nylon Mini-Kit comes with 32 Emergency Items.

Compact & spacious: Extra Space to Add More Items, Easy to Store, Grab and Go Briefcase Style.

Rapid Care First Aid 80094 3 Shelf ANSI/OSHA

3 shelf metal cabinet first aid cabinet.
Ideal for the job site, home, or office.

Fully compliant with ANSI Z308.1-2009 standards and meets or exceeds Federal OSHA Regulations (may vary by region).

White moisture-resistant steel case. This cabinet measures 5.75 inches (14.6 cm) × 14.0 inches (35.56 cm) × 17.0 inches (43.18 cm).

First Aid Booklet offers help and guidance in emergency situations.

Eight hundred Total Pieces.

Care Science First Aid Kit Professional + All-Purpose, 351 Pieces

Contains 351 physician-recommended first aid essential for complex wound care + additional supplies including 1 organized carrying case.

A comprehensive selection of first aid supplies, including Medicine, antiseptics, bandages, injury treatments, and more.

Organized shelves + wall mount.
Organized shelves for quick access and easy restocking.
Wall mounts for easy access in any setting.

How often should first aid kits be checked?

Do this at least once a year, better every 6 months!

Now that you are able to put together a first aid kit, or know which kit to buy, it is very important to know how often to replace first aid items.
That way, you can always be sure that you have the best necessary medical supplies in case of an emergency.

Many items in a kit will have an expiration date that is usually 3-5 years from manufacture.

Items can also be damaged by heavy use, moisture, and exposure to the air.

So check your first aid kit regularly and replace all items if they are almost expired or damaged.

Don’t forget, after use, you need to replenish the number of items and in this way keep your kit up to date.

How to inspect a workshop first aid kit?

After checking first aid items by best before date, some first aid supplies will need to be checked to see if they need to be replaced.

These include:

First aid kit

Check the condition of the first aid box.
When the first aid box has a zipper, make sure it opens and closes easily. 
For plastic or metal, check for cracks or rust and that the hinges and latches are in good condition. 
Replace damaged first aid cases immediately so that the contents remain in optimal condition.

Bandages

As long as Sterile dressings remain sealed and undamaged, they usually do not expire. 
When you have opened a sterile product, or it is damaged, it is no longer considered sterile and must be discarded and replaced.

Non-sterile dressings should be checked regularly for signs of damage, discoloration, or mold. When in doubt, consider replacing it.

Gauze

Check a roll of gauze for signs of discoloration or condensation. 
In case the seal has been damaged, but the gauze is still clean and dry, the gauze can still be used but is no longer considered sterile.