As the owner or manager of a business, it is your responsibility to maintain a safe environment for your employees and customers. This is why it is important to know whether or not are first aid kits required in the workplace.
The truth is, first aid kits are not only a requirement, but they’re also a part of smart ownership. Then again, it’s not only important to know that they are a requirement but to also know what is required in a first aid kit.
OSHA doesn’t have a particular list of items to have in an in-office first aid kit, but ANSI certainly does. Making sure your kit adheres to the American National Standard’s guidelines is essential for the safety of your employees.
How to Get First Aid Kits for Offices
There are two main ways for you to get the first aid kits you need—either buy them from manufacturers or make them yourself. Considering you likely own or run a business, the easiest alternative is to buy them pre-made from reputable companies. However, the most cost-effective solution is to build your own.
When you start searching online for a first aid kit, you’ll find that companies advertise their products as being ANSI and OSHA compliant. These are the kits that you will want to focus on because they include everything required by the American National Standard. You will also know that all of the medical supplies are at or above industry standard.
If you’ve decided that you want to make your own first aid kit, the most important thing is to make sure that you follow the checklist below. You may also want to consider adding additional supplies, depending on the special needs of your employees.
Lastly, it is also essential to make sure you have enough of each item to satisfy the needs of multiple injuries at the same time.
What Are the Workplace First Aid Kit Requirements?
Now that you are able to know whether or not are first aid kits required in the workplace, it’s time to discuss the specifics. According to the ANSI, the below contents are adequate for smaller worksites. However, larger operations will want to consider extra equipment.
There are also two different classes of first aid kits—class A and class B, to be exact. Class B kits are recommended for larger operations and include the highest number of products to assess both minor and moderate injuries. Class A kits are recommended for smaller organizations, as they typically include only the basics.
Class A First Aid Kit Requirements
- 16 x Adhesive bandage
- 1 x Adhesive tape
- 10 x Antibiotic application
- 10 x Antiseptic
- 1 x Breathing barrier
- 1 x Burn dressing (gel soaked)
- 10 x Burn treatment
- 1 x Cold pack
- 2 x Eye covering (with attachment)
- 1 fl. oz. Eye/skin wash
- 1 x First aid guide
- 6 x Hand sanitizer
- 2 x Medical exam gloves
- 1 x Two-inch roller bandage
- 1 x Scissors
- 2 x Sterile pad
- 2 x Trauma pad
- 1 x Triangular bandage
Class B First Aid Kit Requirements
- 50 x Adhesive bandage
- 2 x Adhesive tape
- 25 x Antibiotic application
- 50 x Antiseptic
- 1 x Breathing barrier
- 2 x Burn dressing (gel soaked)
- 25 x Burn treatment
- 2 x Cold pack
- 2 x Eye covering (with attachment)
- 4 fl. oz. Eye/skin wash
- 1 x First aid guide
- 10 x Hand sanitizer
- 4 x Medical exam gloves
- 2 x Two-inch roller bandage
- 1 x Four-inch roller bandage
- 1 x Scissors
- 1x Splint
- 4 x Sterile pad
- 1 x Tourniquet
- 4 x Trauma pad
- 2 x Triangular bandage
Other Important First Aid Supplies
As long as your first aid kits contain the aforementioned supplies, you are well within the current guidelines set by ANSI and OSHA. With that said, there are plenty of other items that you should consider investing in.
In an emergency, it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. The highest recommended additional supplies include:
- Emergency Blankets: If an individual is suffering from shock or if they are at risk for hypothermia, emergency blankets are essential.
- Fire Blankets: Fire blankets are constructed using fire retardant materials and are essential for protecting the body when exposed to flame. You will typically see them in industrial worksites. However, they are quite useful to have in offices as well.
- Cotton Swabs: When applying antibiotic ointments and antiseptic solution, you’ll need cotton swabs. This allows you to treat targeted areas without having to use your hands. Also, in the event that you run out of medical gloves, it will enable you to treat injuries without coming in contact with the wound.
- Flashlights: A common element of emergencies is a lack of power. If your building loses electricity, your employees will need a safe way to exit the building with limited visibility. Glow sticks are a great alternative to flashlights that take up less space and don’t require batteries.
- Sting Relief Cream: In the event of a bee sting or insect bite, sting relief cream will come to good use. It helps to alleviate pain, swelling, and itchiness.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a first aid kit in the workplace or not, the answer is always yes. It’s the responsible and legal thing for company owners and managers to consider when establishing a safe workplace.