First Aid Kit Audit Checklist QLD: What to Check in Your Workplace Kit (2026)

A first aid kit is only useful if it is stocked, accessible, and matched to the risks of the workplace. A kit that is missing gloves, has expired saline, or is locked in a manager's office can slow down care when it matters. A regular first aid kit audit helps make sure the kit is ready before an incident happens.

Start With Workplace Risk

There is no single kit that suits every workplace. A low-risk office has different needs from a kitchen, workshop, construction site, childcare service, gym, warehouse, or outdoor work crew. Before checking item counts, ask whether the kit matches the likely injuries and illnesses in that environment.

Monthly Audit Checklist

Area	What to Check
Access	Kit is easy to find, clearly marked, and not locked away from staff
Signage	Signs point to the correct location and are visible
Condition	Case is clean, dry, sealed where appropriate, and undamaged
Gloves	Disposable gloves are present and in good condition
Dressings	Sterile dressings are sealed and stocked
Bandages	Conforming, crepe, and triangular bandages are available
Eye wash or saline	In date and sufficient for likely risks
Burns supplies	Available where burns are a foreseeable risk
Scissors and tweezers	Clean, present, and functional
Resuscitation mask	Present if included in your kit standard
Incident/restock form	Used items and missing items can be recorded

Risk-Specific Items to Consider

Kitchens and hospitality: burns supplies, wound dressings, and gloves are often high-use items.
Outdoor work: snake bite bandages, heat stress planning, and vehicle kits may be needed.
Childcare and schools: gloves, wound supplies, and clear action-plan procedures are important.
Gyms and sport: cold packs, bandages, and AED access should be reviewed together.
Construction and workshops: bleeding control, eye wash, and multiple kit locations may be required.

Where Should Kits Be Located?

Kits should be close enough to reach quickly. Larger sites may need more than one kit. Vehicles, remote work areas, kitchens, pool areas, workshops, and public-facing venues may need separate kits. Staff should be shown kit locations during induction, not left to find them during an incident.

Who Should Audit the Kit?

Assign the task to a nominated person and a backup. Common owners include a first aider, WHS officer, site supervisor, centre director, practice manager, or gym manager. Record the date, checker name, missing items, expired items, and restock action. A checklist without a record is harder to rely on later.

After the Kit Is Used

Do not wait for the next monthly audit. Replace used items immediately, especially gloves, dressings, bandages, saline, burn supplies, and masks. If the incident revealed an item you did not have, consider whether the kit needs to be updated for that workplace risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a first aid kit be checked?

Monthly is a practical standard for many workplaces, with immediate checks after use. High-use or high-risk workplaces may need more frequent checks.

Can we buy a standard kit and leave it alone?

No. A standard kit is a starting point. It still needs to be matched to workplace hazards, checked for expiry dates, and restocked after use.

Should first aid kit checks connect to training?

Yes. Staff should know where kits are, what they are for, who the trained first aiders are, and how to escalate to 000 when required.

Sources

Training and assessment delivered on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909.