All businesses are required by federal regulations to keep first aid kits in areas that are convenient when there is not an in-house medical facility on site. This is meant to ensure that all businesses are prepared for medical emergencies and injuries that happen in the workplace.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides guidelines for stocking the contents of first aid kits. For a small business with three employees, OSHA says that there should be at least one or two of all first aid kit items kept in stock. Businesses can use that ratio to determine how many items to keep in stock. For example, a larger company with 300 employees should keep a minimum of 100 of each kit item in stock. An ideal amount to keep in stock would be 200 of each item. Growing businesses that are constantly adding new employees should keep these regulations in mind and adjust their inventories as necessary. While additional count rules are not listed in the industry guidelines, OSHA representatives can provide this information for specific businesses.
It is also important to pay attention to the contents of the first aid kits. They should include all of the following items:
- Adhesive bandages
- Large sterile gauze pads
- Small sterile gauze pads
- Wound cleaner
- Latex and non-latex gloves
- Adhesive tape
- Gauze roller bandages
- Scissors
- Blanket
- Triangular bandages
- Elastic wraps
- Splint
- Resuscitation equipment
- Emergency help request information
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also mandates that businesses keep clear records following any injuries or illnesses that happened on the workplace premises. If a business has 10 or fewer workers, it is exempt from those requirements. A business can also be exempt if it is part of a low-hazard industry. To find out about rules for a specific type or size of business, always contact an OSHA representative or an agent.
OSHA strives to be transparent and helpful to businesses. When there are any questions about compliance or training, OSHA will provide various types of training for businesses requesting help. There are convenient online programs in addition to the programs offered by local compliance offices. Specialists complete a tour at no cost to help determine compliance deficits in first aid kits and with safety regulations. To learn more about an inspection or what to expect, discuss concerns with an agent first.
