First Aid Kit in Companies: Guide and Mandatory List

Ensuring employee safety is a legal and ethical priority for any company in Portugal. One of the fundamental elements of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is the first aid kit.

But do you know what must, by law, be in this kit? Having just "a few plasters" is not enough to comply with legislation and, above all, to provide effective assistance in case of an accident.

What is the First Aid legislation in Portugal?

The mandatory existence of first aid material derives from Law no. 102/2009, which establishes the legal framework for the promotion of occupational safety and health.

However, the specific list of contents is not directly in the law, but rather in the official recommendations of the Directorate-General of Health (DGS), through its National Occupational Health Program.

DGS Recommended Content List

For your company to be compliant, the first aid kit must be properly signposted, easily accessible, and contain, at a minimum, the following items:

Personal Protective Equipment

• Disposable nitrile gloves: Essential to avoid contact with blood or fluids (avoid latex due to possible allergies).

• Surgical protective masks: For the safety of both the rescuer and the injured person.

Cleaning and Disinfection Material

• Saline Solution (single doses): For washing wounds or eyes.

• Antiseptic Solution (e.g., Povidone-iodine): For disinfecting wounds.

• 70% Ethyl Alcohol: Only for disinfecting equipment or hands (should not be used directly on open wounds).

Dressing Material

• Sterile compresses: Of various sizes.

• Adhesive bandages (Plasters): Of various sizes and, if possible, hypoallergenic.

• Roll of adhesive tape: To secure compresses.

• Elastic and non-elastic bandages: For immobilization or compression.

Support Instruments

• Blunt-ended scissors (rounded): To cut clothes or bandages without injuring the skin.

• Tweezers: To remove small superficial foreign bodies.

• Digital thermometer: For basic temperature assessment.

What should NOT be in the first aid kit?

A very common mistake in Portuguese companies is to include medication (such as aspirin, paracetamol, or ointments) in the kit.

Attention: Except for companies with their own medical or nursing services, it is forbidden to provide medication in the first aid kit, as its use without prescription can cause severe allergic reactions.

Maintenance and Expiration: What to check?

To maintain compliance and ensure your company's site is seen as an authority by Google, remember these 3 points:

1. Expiration: Check the expiration dates of all products quarterly (especially antiseptics and saline solution).

2. Replenishment: Whenever an item is used, it must be replaced immediately.

3. Signage: The kit must be in a visible location, marked with the white pictogram on a green background (White Cross).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

How many kits should my company have? It depends on the number of employees and the physical dispersion of the facilities. Ideally, each floor or isolated sector should have its own kit accessible in less than 1 minute.

Who should handle the kit? Although everyone can use the basic materials, the law stipulates that companies must have employees designated and trained in first aid.