Top Medical Supplies & Medicines to Have in Your Office
The health of your employees should be one of your top concerns. After all, you never know when someone will fall ill or need emergency care. Keep your team healthy and productive by making sure your office first aid kit or breakroom has all the necessary supplies and medicines.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Every office medical supply kit should contain a few different over-the-counter pain relievers:
- Acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, is a popular pick for many when they’re in pain. It’s considered one of the safer choices when used correctly
- Ibuprofen is another popular choice. It works better on throbbing pains, like toothaches
- Aspirin has stood the test of time. Many people swear by its pain-relieving capabilities
All three are also anti-inflammatories, so they help to reduce swelling that may be associated with minor physical injuries.
Cold & Allergy Medicines
Allergy season can hit any office hard. Stock up on cold and allergy relievers to keep your employees alert and symptom free. These include cough suppressants and cough drops during the colder months, as well as antihistamines during the spring and summer seasons. Make sure to read the labels and find ones that are meant for nondrowsy daytime use, or you may have a bunch of sleepy workers fighting to stay awake at their desks.
Let your employees know these medicines are for the occasional sniffles or allergies, and not to treat the flu or other sicknesses. Health codes require those afflicted with the flu to stay home and rest to avoid causing an outbreak.
Stomach Ache and Indigestion Relief
In addition to being provided with the typical office medicine to relieve aches, pains, colds and allergies, employees may face other common ailments, including stomach issues. Rather than trying to find multiple medicines to relieve different digestive issues, a few brands have multi-symptom relief in one formula for all common problems. Look for capsules or chewable pills, rather than liquid forms, to help ensure a sanitary environment.
Additional Supplies for Your Office First Aid Kit
Although there are no exact requirements for an office first aid kit, it’s recommended to buy a kit that meets the minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits, as specified by the American National Standards Institute. Your kit should include a variety of bandages, compresses and sterile pads, as well as antiseptic cream, burn cream, adhesive tape and exam gloves. Depending on your work environment, you may be advised to add cold packs, eye patches, eye wash and a CPR barrier device to the kit. It’s better to have more rather than less in case of an accident or an emergency.
Creating a Safer Workplace
Along with all of the proper office medical supplies, you may want to consider offering a CPR course or other emergency training to your employees. It will create a safer environment and give your staff additional skills they can use outside of work.