When an injury occurs in the workplace, having access to the needed supplies to appropriately treat an injury can mean the difference between being a help or a hindrance! But what are you responsible for supplying as an employer? And what should be included in a first aid kit? We’re glad you asked! We access the standards and have some suggestions.
OSHA First Aid Standard
In the OSHA medical service and first aid standard (29 CFR 1910.151), they reiterate that supplies must be adequate and reflect common injuries related to the work environments. They also explain kits must be stored in an easily accessible area in case of an emergency.
First Aid Kit Supplies
While OSHA does not mandate what should be included in your first aid kit, they cite the American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association standard Z308.1 as a recommended, non-mandatory source of guidance for minimum first aid kit requirements.
A revision of the ANSI/ISEA standard, Z308.1-2015, took effect in June 2016 and introduced two classes of first aid kits. Identified as “Class A” and “Class B,” the kits are based on the quantity and assortment of supplies.
- Class A kits generally are suitable for all wounds, minor burns, and eye injuries.
- Class B kits are designed to treat injuries more often found in densely populated workplaces with complex and/or high-risk environments, such as warehouses, factories, and outdoor areas.
Minimum kit requirements:
Get Prepared
Rather your workplace would fall into the class A or class B categories for first aid kits, the goal is to being prepared. After an injury occurs is never the time you want to realize you’re lacking proper aid!
Holly is an ER nurse by trade, but loves content marketing. She was born outside the box and believes everything is better with “sprinkles and sparkles”. She is passionate about impacting lives and uses marketing as her platform for sharing practical solutions to address real life occupational health challenges.
Find out more about our Injury Case Management services or our Occupational Health Programs.
