Two standards, two purposes
BS 8599-1 and BS 8599-2 are both published by the British Standards Institution (BSI), and their names are close enough to cause confusion. In practice they cover different environments, and buying the wrong one leaves a compliance gap.
BS 8599-1 specifies workplace first aid kits. BS 8599-2 specifies motor vehicle first aid kits. If your business has both fixed premises and a fleet, you almost certainly need both.
This article sets out the full contents of each, explains the size options, and gives a clear rule for which standard applies to your situation.
HYSAVER can supply kits certified to both BS 8599-1 and BS 8599-2.
At a glance
| BS 8599-1 | BS 8599-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Fixed workplace | Motor vehicle |
| Published by | BSI | BSI |
| Replaces | HSE "green bag" guidance | Older ad-hoc vehicle kits |
| Legal basis | Meets Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 | Supports employer duty of care for vehicle occupants |
| Sizes | Small, Medium, Large, Travel | Small, Medium, Large |
| Sizing driver | Number of employees + risk level | Number of vehicle occupants |
| Typical starting point | Medium | Medium |
When does each standard apply?
Use BS 8599-1 when the vehicle or site is a workplace
BS 8599-1 is the recognised way to satisfy the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 for a fixed workplace. HSE guidance references it directly, and inspectors and insurers treat a BS 8599-1 kit as evidence of adequate provision.
Kit size is chosen by combining the number of employees with the workplace risk category (low hazard, such as an office; or high hazard, such as construction or engineering). For most commercial premises, the Medium kit is the starting point, with Large kits for higher headcount or higher-risk sites.
Use BS 8599-2 for vehicles
BS 8599-2 is the vehicle-specific standard. Its contents are calibrated to the needs of a driver and passengers at the scene of a road incident, rather than to the broader needs of a staffed workplace.
For most commercial fleets, BS 8599-2 Medium is sufficient. Larger passenger-carrying vehicles such as minibuses and coaches typically move up to the Large kit.
The overlap: when a vehicle is also a workplace
Under UK health and safety law, a vehicle can count as a workplace when employees carry out work from it, not merely travel in it. A mobile service van used by a technician all day is a good example. In these cases, employers may need to provide workplace-grade provision (BS 8599-1) in addition to the vehicle kit (BS 8599-2). A risk assessment determines the outcome.
BS 8599-1 Medium: full contents
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Guidance leaflet | 1 |
| Nitrile disposable gloves (pairs) | 9 |
| Sterile adhesive dressings (assorted) | 40 |
| Sterile eye pad with bandage | 2 |
| Sterile wound dressing No. 8 (small) | 4 |
| Sterile wound dressing No. 16 (medium) | 4 |
| Sterile wound dressing No. 20 (large) | 1 |
| Triangular bandage | 3 |
| Safety pins | 12 |
| Foil rescue blanket | 2 |
| Conforming bandage (7.5 cm × 4.5 m) | 3 |
| Microporous tape (2.5 cm × 5 m) | 2 |
| Resuscitation face shield | 1 |
| Sterile saline wound wash (20 ml) | 4 |
| Scissors | 1 |
| Finger dressing | 2 |
| Burns dressing (10 × 10 cm) | 1 |
BS 8599-2 Medium: full contents
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Guidance leaflet | 1 |
| Nitrile disposable gloves (pairs) | 6 |
| Sterile adhesive dressings (assorted) | 20 |
| Sterile eye pad with bandage | 2 |
| Sterile wound dressing No. 8 (small) | 1 |
| Sterile wound dressing No. 16 (medium) | 2 |
| Triangular bandage | 2 |
| Safety pins | 6 |
| Foil rescue blanket | 1 |
| Conforming bandage (7.5 cm × 4.5 m) | 2 |
| Microporous tape (2.5 cm × 5 m) | 1 |
| Resuscitation face shield | 1 |
| Sterile saline wound wash (20 ml) | 2 |
| Scissors | 1 |
The key differences
The BS 8599-1 workplace kit is the more comprehensive of the two. It contains a larger wound dressing (No. 20), roughly double the plasters and gloves, and additional items not found in the vehicle kit: a burns dressing and finger dressings. This reflects the wider range of injuries anticipated in a staffed workplace.
The BS 8599-2 vehicle kit is leaner and focused on the practical needs of a road incident: wound care, bandaging, a rescue blanket, and a resuscitation face shield, in a compact form that fits a vehicle.
Choosing for your business
For a fixed workplace, start with BS 8599-1 Medium and scale up by headcount and hazard level.
For a commercial fleet, BS 8599-2 Medium is the standard starting point per vehicle.
If your vehicles double as workplaces, expect to provide both. A short risk assessment will confirm the requirement.
HYSAVER can supply kits certified to both BS 8599-1 and BS 8599-2, alongside the German DIN standards. For how the UK and European standards compare, see our full guide to DIN 13157, DIN 13164, BS 8599-1 and BS 8599-2.
Kits and replacement components are available at store.hysaver.com. Contact us to confirm which standard applies to your premises and vehicles.
Questions or interested in HYSAVER? Get in touch.
