What a workplace first aid kit needs
A first aid kit only helps if it has the right contents, they are in date, and people know where it is. Here is how to stock one and keep it ready.
What the rules say
OSHA requires employers to keep adequate first aid supplies readily available (29 CFR 1910.151(b)). It does not publish one list for every workplace. Many employers use the American National Standard ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 as the benchmark for minimum contents. The 2021 edition groups kits into classes by risk and by the number of people they serve, and sets minimum items such as adhesive bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic, gloves and a cold pack.
A risk assessment matters more than a product label. A warehouse, a kitchen and an office face different injuries, and the kit should match.
What to stock
Bleeding and wounds
Sterile gauze pads and rolls, adhesive bandages in several sizes, medical tape and a pressure dressing. Add a tourniquet only if people on site are trained to use it.
Burns and eyes
A burn dressing or gel pad, sterile eye covers and sterile eyewash. Where corrosive materials are used, plumbed or self-contained eyewash is required separately.
Strains and sprains
A cold pack and an elastic wrap. For a suspected broken bone, or a back or neck injury, keep the person still and call for help rather than moving them.
Protection
Disposable gloves in several sizes, a CPR face shield, and a way to dispose of used items safely.
Medicines
Many employers do not stock over-the-counter medicines because of allergies and interactions. If yours does, label them clearly, track expiry dates and let people choose for themselves.
Keep it ready
Pick one person to check each kit monthly and after any use. Replace anything used, damaged or expired. Put kits near where injuries are likely and near exits, mark the location, and tell new staff where to find them. Train at least some people in first aid and CPR, because a kit does not help if no one knows what to do.
When to get care
Call 911 for severe bleeding, chest pain, trouble breathing, a head injury with confusion or loss of consciousness, or a possible spinal injury. For injuries that are not life threatening, an occupational medicine clinic can evaluate and document the injury.
The kit is one part of emergency equipment for the office, along with a written plan. Add chemical hot packs for cold stress if staff work outdoors. More on keeping a workplace safe is in our workplace health and occupational medicine resources.
This page is general information. It is not medical or legal advice and does not replace the rules that apply to your workplace.
References
About the clinical team behind this page
Dr. Penni Russo-Going is a physician trained in family medicine and surgery, with a focus on trauma surgery. At Nova she advises on post-surgical tendon and joint recovery, soft-tissue trauma and the systemic and metabolic factors that affect healing, and she reviews content on those topics.
Dr. Pelham Williams IV is Regional Medical Director for Nova’s Southeast region, based in Atlanta. His practice centers on the evaluation and non-operative management of musculoskeletal and work-related injuries, including acute joint injuries and repetitive-strain problems, and he reviews content on occupational injury and sports injury diagnosis.
Medical disclaimer: The information on this site is for education and does not replace a consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Full credentials are on our physicians and clinical governance page.
Keep reading
Individual results vary and no outcome is guaranteed. This page is general information, not medical advice.