Office supplies

An office gets through paper, ink, tea, coffee and soap week after week. Much of what it orders is up to the team. A few items on it are set by law.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sets out those items for employers.

A first aid kit

HSE says employers must make sure employees get immediate help if they are taken ill or injured at work. The law applies to every workplace and to the self-employed.

Every workplace must have a suitably stocked first aid kit, HSE says. It also needs someone appointed to take charge of first aid, and information telling every employee about the arrangements.

What goes in the kit for desk work

HSE says the contents should follow the employer's own assessment of first aid needs. As a guide, for low-risk work such as desk-based work, HSE says a minimum kit might contain:

• a leaflet with general guidance on first aid;
• individually wrapped sterile plasters of assorted sizes;
• sterile eye pads;
• individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;
• large and medium-sized sterile, individually wrapped, unmedicated wound dressings;
• disposable gloves.

HSE calls this a suggested contents list. It points buyers to British Standard 8599, and adds By law, your kit doesn't have to meet this standard.

Keeping the kit in date

HSE asks employers to check the kit regularly. Many sterile items carry an expiry date. Expired items should be replaced and disposed of safely.

Where a sterile item has no date, HSE suggests asking the manufacturer how long it keeps. Non-sterile items without a date should be checked to see that they are still fit for purpose.

Washroom supplies

Employers have to provide adequate toilet and washing facilities. HSE's leaflet Welfare at work says that includes:

• a supply of toilet paper and, for female employees, a means of disposing of sanitary dressings;
• enough soap or other washing agents;
• a means for drying hands, such as paper towels or a hot air dryer.

The same leaflet says employers must keep the facilities clean and make sure there is always an adequate supply of toilet paper, soap etc.

Drinking water

HSE's answer to Do I need to provide drinking water? is Yes.

The water should preferably come from the public supply, and bottled water dispensers are acceptable as a secondary supply. HSE also says employers must make sure cups or a drinking fountain are provided.

Useful links

• First aid in work (HSE)
• What to put in your first aid kit (HSE)
• Welfare at work (HSE)
• Workplace health, safety and welfare (HSE)