When I am checking first aid boxes and find out of date items I always recommend that these are replaced. This has been challenged on the grounds of cost and I wonder whether there is actually some leeway on things like sticking plasters a month or two out of date, or whether it is 'absolute'. Some guidance would be helpful.

General common sense says to replace out of date items, and the date is obviously there for a reason ( I guess I am answering my own question here!!)

Ta

We had a similar problem a while back. Part of the problem was that we had so many first aid boxes all filled with lots of plasters! What we did was reduce the number of plasters in the individual first aid boxes and kept a larger supply in a central area with which to top up the boxes. It meant that the boxes were getting re-filled more frequently but the plasters weren't there long enough to get out of date.

The following information taken from the guidance to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 may be useful:

“The contents of first-aid containers should be examined frequently and restocked soon after use. Sufficient supplies should be held in stock on site. Care should be taken to dispose of items safely once they reach their expiry date.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l74.pdf

Additionally, the following information taken from frequently asked questions page of the first aid section of the HSE website may also be useful:

“How often should the contents of first-aid boxes be replaced?

Although there is no specified review timetable, many items, particularly sterile ones, are marked with expiry dates. They should be replaced by the dates given and expired items disposed of safely. In cases where sterile items have no dates, it would be advisable to check with the manufacturers to find out how long they can be kept. For non-sterile items without dates, it is a matter of judgement, based on whether they are fit for purpose.”

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fi...d/faqs.htm#first-aid-box

I no longer stock plasters in the First Aid boxes, as like other posters have said, they go missing.

Instead I have fitted a Salvequick dispensor on the wall next to each First Aid box.

This system allows a plaster to be taken for immeadiate use, as its removal from the dispensor automatically removes one piece of the adhesive backing.

As these plasters have to be used immeadiately, it stops the cleptomaniacs who help themselves for use at home etc.

The system is more expensive than a box of supermarket plasters, but as it stops their theft, I find it cheaper over time.

Refils can easily be fitted with a security key, which also stops theft.

There are a number of stockists of this system and a wide range of plaster sizes and materials are available.


http://www.safetyfirstai...k-Plaster-Dispenser.aspx