Which signs you need
- First aid or first aid kit sign wherever a kit is kept, visible from a distance. Green and white is the standard safe-condition style.
- Defibrillator sign at the AED and on the route to it. The 2026 amendment to BS 8599-1 recommends an AED where 5 or more people are on site; see what changed in 2026.
- Eyewash sign at every eyewash station or bottle point. More in eyewash station requirements.
- First aid notice on staff noticeboards, with the names of your first-aiders or appointed person. Update it whenever someone leaves or a certificate lapses.
The full guide to placement and the law is first aid signage requirements. For kits themselves, use the printable kit checklist or the BS 8599-1 contents chart.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need first aid signs at work?
You must tell staff about your first aid arrangements, including where the equipment is and who the first-aiders are. Signs at each kit and a first aid notice with names are the usual way. Safety signs fall under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
What colour should a first aid sign be?
A white symbol, usually a white cross, on a green background. The same green and white style is used for defibrillator and eyewash signs.
What should a first aid notice say?
Your first-aiders' or appointed person's names and how to reach them, where the kits and any defibrillator are, and "call 999 or 112" in an emergency.