What's In Your First-Aid Kit?

Workplaces vary widely in their degree of hazard, location, size, amount of staff training and availability of professional medical service. Because of these significant variables, OSHA standards (1910.151 and 1926.50) do not require specific first aid kit contents. However, because some employers may find it useful to refer to a list of basic first aid supplies, federal OSHA provided a reference to this type of information by adding nonmandatory Appendix A to the standard. Appendix A references ANSI Z308.1-1978, “Minimum Requirements for Industrial Unit- Type First-aid Kits.” This ANSI standard was revised in 1998 and retitled: “Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits.” 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.

The assortment of required items was developed based on treatment for the following potential injuries: major wounds, minor wounds (cuts and abrasions), minor burns and eye injuries. ANSI Z308.1-1998 includes the following recommended basic contents of a first aid kit.

ANSI Z308.1-1998 – Minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits: Basic kit – minimum contents
Item	Minimum Quantity
Absorbent compress, 32 sq. in. (81.3 sq. cm.) with no side smaller than 4 in. (10 cm)	1
Adhesive bandages, 1 in. x 3 in. (2.5 cm x 7.5 cm)	16
Adhesive tape, 5 yd. (457.2 cm) total	1
Antiseptic, 0.5g (0.14 fl oz.) applications	10
Burn treatment, 0.5 g (0.14 fl. oz.) applications	6
Medical exam gloves	2 pair
Sterile pads, 3 in. x 3 in. (7.5 x 7.5 cm)	4
Triangular bandage, 40 in. x 40 in. x 56 in. (101 cm x 101 cm x 142 cm)	1