First-aid kit calculator
Under ASR A4.3, an office with up to 50 employees needs at least one small first-aid kit (DIN 13157). From 51 to 300 employees it is one large kit (DIN 13169), plus one additional large kit per further 300. One large kit equals two small ones. Because the material must be quickly reachable, one kit per floor or building section makes sense in practice. The calculator shows the legal minimum and the recommendation for your building.
For quick access there should be at least one kit per floor / building section.
ASR A4.3 (minimum): one large first-aid kit (DIN 13169) equals two small ones (DIN 13157). Administrative/commercial businesses: up to 50 employees 1 small, 51 to 300 one large, plus one additional large per further 300. On top of that the material must be easily reachable, hence the recommendation per floor / building section. The contents must be complete and not expired. Guidance, not legal advice.
How the calculation works
The basis is ASR A4.3. The requirement depends on the type of business and headcount. For office and administrative businesses:
up to 50 employees: 1 small first-aid kit (DIN 13157)
more than 50 employees: large kit (DIN 13169), one per 300 employees started
recommended: at least 1 kit per floor or building section
| Type of business | Small first-aid kit (DIN 13157) | Large first-aid kit (DIN 13169) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative / commercial business | up to 50 employees: 1 | more than 50 employees: 1 per 300 employees started |
| Manufacturing / processing / care | up to 20 employees: 1 | more than 20 employees: 1 per 100 employees started |
| Construction site | up to 10 employees: 1 | more than 10 employees: 1 per 50 employees started |
| Calculator recommendation | at least 1 kit per floor or building section | one large kit equals two small ones |
A large kit can be replaced by two small ones. The number alone is only half the story: what matters is accessibility. A single kit on the third floor is of little use on the ground floor, even if the arithmetic works out.
If you would rather not keep track of supplies, first aiders and the notice yourself, the page on the external occupational safety specialist sets out what they take on in an office.
Two examples
- Office with 30 employees on one floor: the legal minimum is one small kit. In practice that is sufficient.
- Administration with 40 employees across three floors: the legal minimum is still one kit, but three are recommended, one per floor.
What the figure does not cover
- Expiry. Sterile materials have a use-by date. A kit with expired contents does not count as present.
- Restocking. After every use it must be replenished. Without a named responsible person, experience shows that does not happen.
- Accessibility. The kit belongs somewhere reachable without a key. A locked storeroom does not serve the purpose.
How many first aiders go with it and what belongs on the notice is covered in First aid in the office. All emergency thresholds are collected in the article on the number of fire wardens and first aiders.
Legal basis
- ASR A4.3 "First-aid rooms, supplies and facilities": contains the table with type of business, headcount and number of first-aid kits.
- Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), Annex no. 4.3: requires first-aid supplies and facilities, which ASR A4.3 specifies.
- DGUV Regulation 1 "Principles of prevention": section 25 obliges the employer to keep first-aid supplies available and to replenish them.
- DGUV Information 204-022 "First aid in the workplace": location, marking, expiry and restocking of the supplies.
Frequently asked questions
Is one small kit enough for an office?
Up to 50 employees that is the legal minimum for administrative businesses under ASR A4.3. For good accessibility at least one kit per floor or building section is still advisable.
Can I replace one large kit with two small ones?
Yes, one large kit under DIN 13169 corresponds to two small ones under DIN 13157. In multi-storey offices, splitting into several small kits is often the more practical solution.
How often must the contents be checked?
There is no fixed statutory interval, but sterile materials have a use-by date. A visual check during the regular walkthrough, plus clear ownership for restocking, works well.
Do home-office workstations count?
For equipping the workplace, the employees on site are what count. There is no duty to provide an employer's first-aid kit at home, but there is a duty to settle the reporting chain for emergencies.
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