|
|
| | |
|
OSHA / ANSI
Contents of a first-aid kit
Workplaces vary widely in their degree of hazards, location, size, amount of staff training and availability of professional medical services. With the exception of the Logging Operations standard, 29 CFR 1910.266, OSHA standards do not require specific first-aid-kit contents. This includes the Medical Services and First Aid standards in both general industry and construction, 1910.151 and 1926.50.
However, since some employers may find it useful to refer to a list of basic first aid supplies, federal OSHA provided a reference for this type of information by adding nonmandatory Appendix A to the latter two standards. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) American National Standard – Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies (ANSI/ISEA Z308.1) establishes minimum performance requirements for first aid kits and their supplies.
Since Appendix A was added, ANSI has updated Z308.1 many times. The most recent edition (ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021) was approved on April 15, 2022 with an effective date of October 15, 2022
First-aid kits in compliance with this standard will provide a basic range of products to deal with most types of injuries encountered in the workplace and may be adequate for a small worksite.
Employers should evaluate their own workplaces to determine whether additional supplies or kits are needed, based on the size and specific hazards of their workplaces.
The required contents for the 2 most recent ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 standards are listed below.
OSHA / ANSI 2021 KITS
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 Standard
Approved: April 15, 2022
Effective Date: October 15, 2022
The 2021 edition from the American National Standard Institute – Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies standards approved April 15, 2022, added items in both classes of first aid kits.
Additions to the Class A Kits: 4 Hand Sanitizer Packets and 1 Foil Emergency Blanket (52”x84”)
Additions to the Class B Kits: 10 Hand Sanitizer Packets, 1 Foil Emergency Blanket (52”x84”) and 1 Windlass Tourniquet
Class A kits are designed to deal with most common workplace injuries, such as minor cuts, abrasions and sprains.
First aid kits designated as Class B include a broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injuries in more complex or high-risk environments.
We offer kits that meet or exceed these requirements. ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 Appendix C recommends preforming a Workplace Hazard Assessment to determine if a Class A or Class B minimum fill best suits your needs.
Workplace Hazard Assessment Guiding Questions:
- What are the hazards that exist?
- What kinds of injuries have occurred or could occur in relation to these hazards?
- What types of first aid supplies are needed to treat these injuries?
“All workplaces are unique, and therefore making additions to Class A or Class B minimum requirements should take place to reflect the unique hazards and injuries that could occur in the workplace.
Field (mobile) workers shall also have access to first aid supplies whether they are on a remote worksite or in a work vehicle.”
Click here for all ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 First Aid Kits
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015 Standard:
Approved on June 17, 2015 / Effective Date: June 2016
The 2015 edition introduces two classes of first aid kits, based on the assortment and quantity of first aid supplies. Class A kits are designed to deal with most common workplace injuries, such as minor cuts, abrasions and sprains. First aid kits designated as Class B include a broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injuries in more complex or high-risk environments.
Required Minimum Fill in ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015 Class A First Aid Kits:
• 16 - Adhesive Bandages, 1" x 3"
• 1 - Adhesive Tape 2.5 yd
• 10 - Antibiotic Treatment Application, 1/57 oz
• 10 - Antiseptic Applications 1/57 oz
• 1 - Breathing Barrier
• 1 - Burn Dressing, gel soaked, 4" x 4"
• 10 - Burn Treatment, 1/32 oz
• 1 - Cold Pack
• 2 - Eye Covering
• 1 - Eye Wash, 1 oz.
• 1 - First Aid Guide
• 6 - Hand Sanitizer, 0.9g
• 2 - Pair Exam Gloves
• 1 - Roller Bandage, 2" x 4 yds
• 1 - Scissors
• 2 - Sterile Pad, 3" x 3"
• 2 - Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
• 1 - Triangular Bandage, 40" x 40" x 56"
Required Minimum Fill in ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015 Class B First Aid Kits:
• 50 - Adhesive Bandages, 1" x 3"
• 2 - Adhesive Tape 2.5 yd
• 25 - Antibiotic Treatment Application, 1/57 oz
• 50 - Antiseptic Applications 1/57 oz
• 1 - Breathing Barrier
• 2 - Burn Dressing, gel soaked, 4" x 4"
• 25 - Burn Treatment, 1/32 oz
• 2 - Cold Pack
• 2 - Eye Covering
• 1 - Eye Wash, 4 oz.
• 1 - First Aid Guide
• 10 - Hand Sanitizer, 0.9g
• 4 - Pair Exam Gloves
• 2 - Roller Bandage, 2" x 4 yds
• 1 - Roller Bandage, 4" x 4 yds
• 1 - Scissors
• 1 - Splint - min 4" x 24"
• 4 - Sterile Pad, 3" x 3"
• 1 - Tourniquet
• 4 - Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
• 2 - Triangular Bandage, 40" x 40" x 56"
Note: Do not be misled. If you are looking for an "OSHA Approved First Aid Kit" or an "OSHA Certified First Aid Kit," there is no such thing. OSHA sets forth first aid kit guidelines for general industry, construction, and industry-specific first aid requirements, but OSHA does not "approve" any manufacturer's products. Make sure that the first aid kits you put at your workplace meet or exceed OSHA first aid guidelines for the purposes they are defined as suiting.
Is an OSHA-compliant first aid kit or cabinet enough? No. While most safety managers can muddle their way through finding an OSHA-compliant first aid kit, they forget about bloodborne pathogens and PPE. While first aid is in the top 20 OSHA violations, PPE violations rank ninth and bloodborne pathogens citations rank tenth.1
PPE does not just mean hard hats, gloves, and safety vests. In a first aid environment, an employer must provide adequate protection to rescuers who may come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM.) This means that next to each first aid kit, cabinet, or station, there should be a bodily fluid pickup kit or personal protection kit. These kits usually contain eye and hand protection, fluid absorbents, sanitizing and disposal products, and a CPR mask.
OSHA 1910.151, Medical Services and First Aid, states: (a) The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of plant health, and (b) In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid.
OSHA Interpretation:
"In areas where accidents resulting in suffocation, severe bleeding, or other life threatening injury or illness can reasonably be expected, a 3 to 4 minute response time, from time of injury to time of administering first aid, is required. . . . where a life-threatening injury is an unlikely outcome . . . a 15 minute response time is acceptable."
Roger A. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs
Occupational Health and Safety Administration4
For more information, you can visit osha.gov and look at publication:
Best Practices Guide - Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program
- Citation frequency rates are based on filed OSHA citations from October 2003 through September 2004.
| |
| | |
|
|
|