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First Aid 29 CFR 1910.151 and Summary of Z308.1-2003
Document Number: 208
In 1998 the Medical Services and First Aid regulation, 29
CFR 1910.151, was revised. The revision states, "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. Adequate first
aid supplies shall be readily available." The revised regulation
eliminated the statement, ". . . first aid supplies approved by the
consulting physician shall be readily available." In addition to
the regulation was Appendix A--a non-mandatory guideline. This appendix
demonstrates an example of the minimal contents of generic first aid kits
according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z308.1-1978,
Minimum Requirements for Industrial Unit-Type First Aid Kits.* The contents
listed in Z308.1-1978 should be adequate for small worksites. The employer
is responsible for determining the need for additional first-aid kits,
quantities and the types of supplies at the worksite for large/larger
worksites.
*Note: The new non-mandatory Appendix A refers to ANSI Z308.1-1978 "Minimum Requirements
for Industrial Unit-type First-aid Kits". Since Appendix A was added, ANSI has
updated Z308.1-1978 to the 2003 standard. OSHA has yet to revise Appendix A to
reference the updated ANSI Z308.1-2003 standard.
Classification of First Aid
Kits
Under the new ANSI standard, Z308.1-2003, kits are divided into
three different categories or classifications. Kits must also meet the
performance and testing
requirements set by the standard.
Type I: Intended for use in stationary,
indoor applications where kit contents have minimal potential for damage.
These kits
are not intended to be portable and should have a means for mounting
in a fixed position. Some applications for Type I first-aid kits are:
general indoor use,
office use or in a light manufacturing facility. First aid cabinets would
fall in this classification.
Type II: Intended for use in portable
indoor applications.
Kit contents should have minimal potential for damage. These kits should
be equipped with carrying handle(s). Some applications for Type II
first-aid kits are general
indoor use, office or manufacturing environments.
Type III: Intended
for portable use in mobile industries and/or outdoor applications.
Kits should be moisture
resistant, equipped with a carrying handle, have the means for being
mounted in a fixed position, and should also be corrosion resistant.
Type III kits must
meet specific performance requirements. (Please see Section 4.4.1
of ANSI Z308.1-2003 for testing requirements). Typical applications for
Type III first aid kits would
be the transportation industry or construction jobs.
Basic Fill Contents
for Type I, II and III Kits
All first aid kits meeting the requirements
of ANSI Z308.1-2003
should contain the first aid items listed in Section 5.1, Table 1 of
the standard. The quantity and size specifications of these components
are the minimum necessary
to comply with the standard. The components list includes such items
as compresses, bandages, tape, gloves, antiseptic and burn treatments.
Additional quantities
or components can be added to meet the requirements of a specific workplace or
hazard.
In addition to the minimum contents listed in the standard, a kit should
have optional items added, based upon specific workplace hazards. The
selection of additional supplies should be made by consulting with a health
care professional or a person competent in first aid who is knowledgeable
of the hazards found in that specific workplace. The optional items shall
meet specifications stated in Section 5.2 of ANSI Z308.1-2003. Items not
addressed by the standard should be in compliance with U.S. Food & Drug
Administration (FDA) or any other governing body or regulation. Additional
supplies include oral analgesics, antibiotic treatments, compress bandages,
CPR barriers, burn dressings, cold packs, eye covers, eyewash, and a roller
bandage.
For a look at LSS’s first aid content supplies click
here.
Marking and Labeling
All first aid contents meeting the "Minimum Requirements of Basic Fill Contents" shall
be marked with, at the least, ANSI Z308.1-2003 designation. Each complete first-aid
kit meeting the requirements of ANSI Z308.1-2003 must have a permanent label
on the back or outside of the kit with the information listed in the box below.
All labeling should be legible and permanent. Recommended first aid contents
meeting the criteria of Section of 5.2.1, Minimum Performance Criteria for Recommended
Contents may be marked as "ANSI A308.1-2003R". Minimum Requirements
for Unit First Aid Kits Section 6 of the ANSI Z308.1-2003 standard
discusses
minimum requirements
of unit first aid kits. Unit first-aid kits are kits in which the contents
are packaged in uniform-size boxes that contain one or more applications
of first-aid
supplies. In unitized First Aid Kits, packaging must meet the specific
requirements for dimensions, physical stability, marking and labeling.
Please see ANSI Z308.1-2003
for packaging requirements. Packages must also be color coded, using
the follow guidelines:
Blue: Antiseptic;
Yellow: Bandages;
Red: Burn Treatment;
Orange: Personal Protective Equipment;
Commonly Asked Questions
| Q. |
Is a consulting physician required to approve first-aid supplies on
site? |
| A. |
No. According to 29 CFR 1910.151, first aid supplies do not need to be approved
by a consulting physician. They should, however, be selected by a person competent
in first aid and knowledgeable of the hazards found in the specific workplace. |
| Q. |
Is it required that first-aid kits be regularly inspected to ensure
that contents are complete and up-to-date? |
| A. |
No, but first aid kits should be regularly inspected to ensure that they
are full, in good condition and have not expired. The contents list for
the first aid kits should be periodically reviewed to ensure that it meets
the
needs of the workplace hazards at all times. |
| Q. |
Can over-the-counter medicine be put in first aid kits? |
| A. |
Over-the-counter medicine can be put in first aid kits if packaged in single
dose, tamper-evident packaging and labeled as required by FDA regulations.
Over-the-counter drug products should not contain ingredients which are
known to cause drowsiness. |
| Q. |
How does the new ANSI Z308.1-2003 standard, "Minimum Requirements
for Workplace First-Aid Kits" differ from the 1998 version? |
| A. |
The 2003 ANSI standard has expanded the list of recommended first aid kit
contents to include items such as analgesics, burn dressings, cold packs,
antibiotic treatments and CPR barriers. It also takes into account all
types of packaging of first aid products and containers for use indoors
and outdoors
in both mobile and stationary settings. The kits that comply with this
standard are meant to provide a basic range of products that deal with
the majority
of injuries encountered in the workplace including major wounds, minor
burns, and eye injuries. |
Sources for More Information
OSHA Medical Services and First Aid regulation, 29
CFR 1910.151
For a copy of the Standard ANSI Z308.1-2003, contact International Safety
Equipment Association (ISEA) at:
1901 North Moore Street, Ste. 808,
Arlington, VA 22209-1762
Phone: 703.525.1695
Online: www.safetyequipment.org
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Please Note: The information contained in this
publication is intended for general information purposes only. This
publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government
regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice
or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited
regulation or consult with an attorney.
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