Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces. You’re usually working at heights and exposed to various hazardous elements, including heavy loads, huge and dangerous machinery, and harmful chemicals like asbestos. That’s why the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 requires all companies to have adequate medical supplies and trained personnel to ensure employees and everyone on the construction site receive immediate medical attention when injured. Also, the supplies should be stored in accessible locations to ensure they’re easy to reach during emergencies.  

That said, here are some of the essential medical suppliers for contractors:

• Antiseptics And Antibiotics 

It may be challenging to avoid injuries on construction sites, and you’ll need to have the means to stop infections and the growth of harmful microorganisms.  

You should, therefore, ensure your first aid kit includes antiseptics and antibiotics. They are essential medical supplies as they help eliminate the bacteria in the wound, boosting the healing process. Many types of antiseptics are available, and you’d want to ensure you get those with low toxicity and are non-irritating and non-corrosive. 

You can purchase your medical supplies in bulk through a wholesale distributor instead of buying them individually. This way, you can save on costs. 

Some of the must-have first-aid kits include the following:

• • Wall-mountable kits: Your office and the construction site should have wall-mounted first aid kits adequately stored to prevent contamination. They’re convenient as they provide easy access to medical supplies. 
  • Grab-and-go responder kits: They allow easy transportation of medical supplies from site to site, and you’d want to consider having one if you’re working on multiple projects. 

• Lone-worker compact kits: These kits have all the essential medical supplies, such as medical tape, wound dressing, and rolling and triangle bandages for anyone working alone in their assigned area.

Having a general first aid kit isn’t enough for contractors. Therefore, ensure you have most, if not all, of the types listed above.

• Pain Relievers

Pain relievers are vital supplies on the construction site. Thus, you should ensure your first aid kit has non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical analgesics such as sunburn sprays, and Tylenol for pain and fever.

However, there’s no need for heavy-duty painkillers as they require a doctor’s prescription, and chances are you may not need them. Moreover, medical professionals advise against the frequent use of these pain meds as they may have severe side effects or lead to addiction. 

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• Adhesive Bandages And Tape

A first aid kit should have several gauze bandages and at least a roll of tape. They help protect wounds against dirt and bacteria, as well as help speed up the healing process. 

Furthermore, these bandages are versatile; you can use them on just about any injury, from blisters to cuts and burns. They also provide a safer means to clean wounds and eliminate infections, as they’re chemical-free. 

• Non-Adherent Dressings

Another essential medical supply you shouldn’t miss in your first aid kit is non-adherent dressings. They protect the exposed tissues, absorb moisture to ensure the wound is always dry, and minimize trauma when removing the dressing. However, they’re primarily used in minor wounds as they may not be as effective for major ones.  

• Gauze Pads

Gauze pads are also a necessity for contractors. They’re ideal for covering and cleaning minor burns, cuts, abrasions, and scrapes. They’re designed to absorb moisture and draw fluids from the wounds, ensuring they heal faster. They also protect wounds from dirt and germs. The best part is that you can use them alone when you don’t have bandages. 

• Splints

A broken or fractured limb is one of the injuries you may encounter when working at heights. Splints are helpful in such situations and relieve fractured legs or arms from physical trauma or heavy impacts. They prevent bones from bulging through the skin, bleeding, and tissue damage. 

• Tourniquet

As mentioned, you and your workers are exposed to a lot of danger and will likely encounter injuries that may lead to excessive bleeding. For this reason, you may want to ensure your medical supplies include tourniquets as a means to stop external bleeding when direct pressure isn’t effective or won’t work in certain circumstances. 

Conclusion

The medical supplies discussed are some of the essentials you shouldn’t miss in your construction site or office. They help promote safety at all times as you can administer first aid to any injury, preventing it from worsening. 

A first aid kit could be what you need to save a life. Therefore, ensure it includes all the essential medical supplies. 

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