What's in Your First Aid Kit?

Have you ever thought about what’s in your first aid kit? We walk by them and never even notice them until we need them. If you are not monitoring them on a regular basis and know what they contain, when you need them it may be too late. According to OSHA’s Medical and First Aid standard at §1910.151(b), you need to have “adequate” first aid supplies readily available in the workplace. OSHA doesn’t define exactly what is considered “adequate,” but the kit contents should reflect the particular hazards of your workplace. Also, you may want guidance in putting together a basic kit. For that, you’ll have to go to the ANSI Z308.1-1998 consensus standard which lists the minimum contents of a generic first aid kit adequate for small worksites.

The Basic First Aid Kit

The ANSI Z308.1-1998 consensus standard provides a list of minimum items for a workplace first aid kit. It also contains requirements for indoor and outdoor kits and provides guidelines for:

The standard sizes of cases;
Unit packaging, including color coding;
Specifications for the most commonly used items; and
The arrangement of first aid materials for easy identification, removal, and replacement

ANSI Z308-1 requires that the minimum acceptable contents of a first aid kit (for a small workplace) include:

An absorbent compress,
Adhesive bandages and tape,
Individual-use antiseptics,
Burn treatment applications,
Sterile pads,
Triangular bandage, and
Medical exam gloves.

The standard suggests that kit contents be inspected regularly and items past the expiration date disposed. Replace disposed items and add other items necessary to meet the hazards of your workplace. First aid kits that meet the ANSI standard’s requirements are marked with the ANSI designation.

Although the OSHA regulation states that first aid supplies “shall be readily available,” ANSI Z308.1 takes it a step farther by requiring that “each kit and/or location shall be visibly marked as a place where first aid supplies are located.”
Industry consensus standards become mandatory requirements only when, and if, they are adopted by OSHA. The ANSI Z308.1, Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits, has not been adopted, but OSHA refers employers to it as a source of guidance for the minimum requirements for first aid kits.

Workplace First Aid Kits

According to ANSI Z308.1-2003, first kits that are to be used in a mobile and/or outdoor setting, must be of the Type III class. Type III first aid kits must be corrosion and moisture resistant, as well as impact resistant. Type III first aid kits must have a handle and a means of mounting them in a fixed location.

ANSI Z308.1-2003 Type III Mobile Outdoor First Aid Kit

Important! This kit meets ANSI Z308.1-2003 only when the minimum required fill is maintained, with first aids products marked “ANSI Z308.1-2003.”Required Minimum Fill

1 Absorbent Compress 4×8 in. minimum
5 yds. Adhesive Tape
10 Antiseptic applications 0.14 fl. oz. each
6 Burn Treatment applications 1/32 oz. each
4 Sterile Pads 3×3 in. minimum
2 pair Medical Exam Gloves
1 Triangular Bandage 40 x 40 x 56 in. minimum
16 Adhesive bandages 1×3 in

Where to Start

To get started, assess your workplace for hazards to which employees are exposed. In addition to a walk-through assessment, use your 300 Log, 301 Incident Reports, workers’ compensation injury reports, and first aid logs to identify any unique problems that necessitate other types of supplies. You may want to consult with the local fire department, rescue service, medical professionals, or other local emergency facilities for advice on adequate or unusual first aid supplies for your company.
If you have a large operation or multiple operations are conducted at the same location, you’ll need to determine if there is a need for additional:

First aid kits,
Types of first aid equipment and supplies, and
Quantities of supplies/equipment in the kits

Through a hazard assessment, you can ensure that reasonably anticipated supplies are available to treat most injuries and illnesses that could be expected to occur in your workplace.

Finally, another resource to consider is contracting with a medical supply company. These companies not only restock your first aid kits to ensure there are always adequate supplies, but they help determine what types and quantities of items should be in them.
Workplace First Aid Kits

All First Aid kits shall be kept in a conspicuous and marked location. Each complete first aid kits shall contain the following information, which is typed in at least a 6 point font.