First Aid Kits Requirements

Requirements for first aid kits have been made by the American National Standards Institute for the workplace only as referenced under ANSI Z308.1. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules that a workplace must have a first aid kit available to treat minor injuries that can occur but does not specify what the first aid kit should contain. Many states have incorporated the ANSI first aid kit requirement to ensure that a workplace is equipped with the necessities to meet emergencies.

History

• The first aid kit standards businesses follow today are the 2003 updated standards. The earliest version used was set in 1978 and is still mentioned in the OSHA regulations.

ANSI Requirements

• A basic kit required at the workplace includes but is not limited to the following: 1 4-by-4 inch absorbent compress, 16 1-by-3 inch adhesive bandages, 1 adhesive tape 5 yards long, 10 antiseptic 0.5 g applications, 6 burn treatment 0.5 g applications, 2 pairs of medical exam gloves, 4 3-by-3 inch sterile pads, and 1 triangular bandage.

Optional Materials

• Because each work place poses different hazards, you may need more items to handle the results of those hazards too. That includes 4 2-by-2 inch bandage compresses, 2 3-by-3 inch bandage compresses, 1 4-by-4 inch bandage compress, 1 eye covering with means of attachment, 1 fl. oz of eye wash, 1 4-by-5 inch cold pack, 2 2-inch roller bandage, and 1 4-inch roller bandage.

Storage

• Keep these contents sterile and in a travel-friendly metal or other sanitary container that will withstand conditions of weather, dust, dirt, and foreign matter.

Usage

• Replenish items as needed. Check to make sure that items are clean and have not passed the expiration date.