Hi everyone.
I am currently reviewing the first aid provision at my place of work and I have been directed to examine the possibility of outsourcing the periodical inspections and replenishment of used items to an external contractor.

I've never come across a contractor who would do this but if there is someone, I bet one of my esteemed colleagues would know.

Any ideas?

Such services are available - even our Fire Extinguisher servicing company offers this as an "add on" - but really? Apart from replacing expired items such as eye wash the normal items need frequent top up e.g. adhesive dressings. Hand on heart everywhere I have worked it has been the trained First Aiders duty to replenish the kits from stores. No First Aider or Appointed person then why do you have kits? If the majority of consumption is plasters then remove the kits and replace them with a plaster dispenser - give the area supervisor top up stock and make it part of their duties. One company came to our site offering this as a service, supplied new kits throughout and never appeared again, must admit I really enjoyed the " told you so..." moment, and it cost a lot more than doing it ourselves (and the provider of this service drives past our premises daily!)

My first thought was the same as DP.

Have you considered a simple management tool to reduce the burden? Check your first aid kit and then seal it and record the date on the kit of the item that will become out of date first. You can then hopefully reduce your effort by only checking the contents of those kits that have the seal broken or when the date (above) has been reached.

Not sure if that helps

Where I currently work each first aider has a grab bag which they are responsible for checking and updating, and the First Aid Co-ordinator checks over the AED Machine and the First Aid room. As previously mentioned HSE and BS checklists are good tools to help. I also think it gives the First Aiders a bit more confidence they are responsible for themselves and their kits.

Thanks everyone.

Believe me, I would assign the task to a first aider or, if we had one, an Approved Person'. Who am I to argue with my line manager!!!

I've resolved the issue by getting the responsibility written in to the operating standard for our FM Manager to carry this out, which was in fact, what it should have been in the first place but for reasons beyond my understanding, was never enforced until I came on scene!!

I don't know about others, but I find it curious that you appear to have so many first aid kits that you are considering an external contractor to check them, but that you don't have any first aiders. Generally the role of an Appointed Person would normally include checking the kit.