BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026 Guidance on Workplace AEDs and First Aid Kits

The British Standard for workplace first aid kits (BS 8599-1) has been amended to include guidance on the provision and placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in the workplace.

This guide explains what the BSI standard says, what changed in the 2026 amendment, how it relates to the UK health and safety law, and how to review your own workplace step by step.

Key points at a glance

• BS 8599-1 covers the contents of workplace first aid kits, their containers, and the provision and placement of workplace AEDs.
• The 2026 amendment adds personal issue kits and critical injury packs, renames the travel kit, and changes quantities in small, medium and large kits.
• Under the standard, businesses estimated to have 5 or more people on site during operating hours should provide an AED.
• An AED should be accessible within 2 minutes from any location on the premises, so retrieval time matters as much as ownership.
• BS 8599-1 is a British Standard, not legislation. An employer’s legal duties come from the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the workplace’s first aid needs assessment.

What is BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026?

BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026 is published in April 2026 by the British Standards Institution (BSI) Limited as Workplace first aid kits, Part 1: Contents of first aid kits and provision of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in the workplace.

The latest edition of the BS 8599 applies to any workplace environment in the UK. It is Part 1 of a two-part series; Part 2, BS 8599-2 covers motor vehicle first aid kits.

What changed in BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026?

• Two minute AED accessibility. The standard formally sets out that any workplace with 5 or more people on site during operating hours should provide an AED that is retrievable within 2 minutes from any location on the premises.
• New first aid kit categories. Specialised kits such as critical injury packs, personal issue kits, burns kits and eye wash kits have been added for high-risk or hazardous environments.
• Revised kit quantities. The quantities of the contents in small, medium and large first aid kits for workplaces have been changed.
• Remote and offsite workers: Employers should give considerations to remote employees working from home or in a vehicle.

Defibrillator guidance under BS 8599-1

What does the standard say about AEDs in the workplace?

The standard recommends that businesses with 5 or more people on site during operating hours should provide an AED on their premises.

Employers should make a realistic estimate of both peak and regular occupancy in the workplace.

The estimated headcount includes:

• Direct employees and remote staff visiting the business premises
• Contractors and delivery personnel
• Customers, visitors and members of the public

The standard also asks employers to give consideration to offsite workers, drivers or field engineers who work away from the workplace, when thinking about AED access.

The 2-minute retrieval test

A workplace AED should be clearly displayed in an unlocked cabinet or wall mounted, and must be retrieved within 2 minutes from any location on the business premises.

Larger or multi-story facilities will often require multiple AEDs strategically placed in open-access locations so responders can retrieve them without delay or physical obstruction.

Why speed matters: Resuscitation Council UK reports that defibrillation within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse may produce survival rates as high as 50% to 70%. Every minute of delay reduces the chance of survival by approximately 10%.

Tip: Time the physical walking route from the furthest corner of the site to the AED, rather than estimating distances on a floor plan.

Is BS 8599-1 a legal requirement?

No. BS 8599-1 is a voluntary standard, not a legal requirement, and the compliance with a British Standard does not offer immunity from legal health and safety obligations.

Employers’ legal duties on first aid come from the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. These Regulations require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and trained personnel so that people receive immediate first aid if injured or taken ill at work.

This applies to all workplaces, including those with fewer than five employees, and the self-employed. Your first aid needs assessment is what determines what is appropriate for your site.

Employers are not legally required to buy first aid kits that comply with BS 8599-1 standard, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) references the BS8599 as a recognised industry benchmark.

Employers should document their AED considerations and conclusions within their First Aid Needs Assessment.

If you are unsure what applies to your workplace, speak to your health and safety adviser or consult HSE guidance.

Overview of workplace first aid kits

The BS 8599-1 standard defines several first aid kit types. The right kit depends on your workplace’s risk assessment and headcount.

The exact quantities for each first aid kit type are set out in Table 1 of the standard. It’s recommended that employers review their existing kits against the current edition.

Additional items for specific hazards

Standard workplace kits are designed for treating common injuries.

However, if your risk assessment identifies specific hazards such as potential hydrofluoric acid (HF) exposure or lithium-ion battery electrolyte leaks, the standard recommends adding specialised treatments (such as calcium gluconate gel) alongside staff training.

HSE provides a free risk assessment template and examples at hse.gov.uk.

Containers and marking guidelines

First aid containers must securely hold all contents, protect items from dust and moisture, and undergo routine checks. Under BS 8599-1, containers should be legibly marked with:

• Reference code and date of the standard: BS 8599-1:2019
• White cross first aid symbol (BS EN ISO 7010 type E003)
• The words “FIRST AID” in clear white text
• Clear markings on supplementary kits (e.g: Critcal Injury Pack)
• Safety symbol on AED cabinet (BS EN ISO 7010, type E010)

Checklist to review your workplace first aid kits and defibrillator setup

1. Review your workplace’s first aid needs assessment and record any changes in headcount, risk levels or layout.
2. Estimate maximum and regular occupancy during peak hours, including employees, visitors, contractors and the public.
3. If 5 or more people are estimated to be on-site during operating hours, decide what first aid kits and AEDs are required on the premises.
4. Check that an AED can be retrieved and brought back within 2 minutes round trip from any area on the site.
5. Verify AED’s position, visibility, directional signage and accessibility to guide responders to the device in an emergency.
6. Routinely inspect AED and keep the consumables (battery & electrode pads) within date. Any faults or warning indicators should be resolved immediately.
7. Choose an indoor or outdoor defib cabinet suited to the workplace environment and keep it unlocked for easy retrieval.
8. Register public access AEDs on The Circuit (the National Defibrillator Network) and keep its location, access details and status up-to-date.
9. Compare existing first aid kit quantities and sizes with the current BSI standard as well as provision of supplementary kits in high-risk environments.
10. Review CPR, AED and wider first aid training or awareness arrangements.

Sources and further reading

• BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026, Workplace first aid kits – Part 1, BSIgroup.com
• Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and HSE first aid at work guidance, hse.gov.uk
• Resuscitation Council UK, Quality Standards: CPR and AED training in the community, resus.org.uk
• The Circuit, the National Defibrillator Network, thecircuit.uk
• British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), Suggested performance specification for defibrillator cabinets, bhta.com

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information to help you understand the new Bristish Standard BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026 and should not be treated as legal or medical advice. It does not replace a documented first aid needs assessment, professional advice from a qualified health and safety adviser or current HSE guidance.