Fail to prepare, and you should prepare to fail. This is the phrase that many live by in their day-to-day lives. But while this might be optional in most informal settings, when it comes to business health and safety, failure to prepare could lead to significant consequences for both the human and legal variety. If you own a business, you need to ensure that you have the required medical supplies at hand for when disaster strikes, regardless of severity. Although different jurisdictions and enterprises will have differing requirements, this post will list a few standard supplies that won’t be out of place wherever you are located.
A Business-Specific First-Aid Kit
The most obvious go-to will be the famous first-aid kit. These kits tend to contain everything you might need for minor emergencies and are often enough to patch someone up until EMSs arrive to administer more serious assistance. However, if you want to go above and beyond the generic kits, you should consider investing in kits from companies capable of providing custom medical kitting services that can provide everything you need, from creams to syringes. These specialist entities are able to create kits based on your requirements and, more importantly, offer them in bulk for you to place around the office. These customized kits are great because they enable you to pack everything you need for your type of work while leaving out supplemental items. This is much more efficient and can save you a considerable amount of money because you’re not buying things you will never use.
Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers
Pain relievers are a staple of the modern world and will perhaps be the most oft-used medication your staff members seek. Numerous brands and compounds are available, but in most cases, you can opt for generic ones that do the same job and brand-name options but for a fraction of f the cost. Moreover, you might consider including NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, which help reduce inflammation and simultaneously alleviate discomfort.
Antihistamines For Allergies
Allergies are part and parcel of modern life, and while most people might suffer mild symptoms from allergen exposure, they can make life a living hell for those who experience more severe reactions. Antihistamines stop the body from producing histamine, which causes many adverse reactions. Having a range of strengths ready for when sneezing fits arise, or an outbreak of hives pops up will enable your team to continue working effectively.
Topical Antibacterial Ointments
Cuts might not be that common in an office setting, but it doesn’t hurt to have some antiseptic cream on the off-chance it’s needed. This cream can stop minor cuts and scrapes from becoming infected and thus help the wound recover more effectively.
Epinephrine Auto-Injectors For Emergencies
Most folks who are severely allergic to certain substances (peanuts, bee stings, etc.) will carry their own epi-pens wherever they go. However, they don’t cost a lot and can potentially save a life on the off-chance that someone has left their pen at home or it doesn’t work.
Various Sizes Of Band-Aids
The final addition is perhaps the most obvious and the option that will be used the most. Given their versatility in a variety of situations, band-aids should be included in every first-aid kit and office medical supply. Just ensure you have a wide range of sizes available so you can handle anything from a paper cut to more significant gashes.
Offices are more hazardous than people give them credit for, and if you don’t have the right supplies on hand, you could find yourself at the sharp end of some very unhappy employees and possibly even a lawsuit. Do yourself a favor and invest in critical medical supplies that can cover the majority of typical situations.
