What is a Workplace First Aid Kit?
Workplace first aid kits differ significantly from those intended for non-workplace settings, even though they may appear interchangeable. Workplace first aid kits hold a distinct status as they have to meet the standards and regulations set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) to uphold workplace safety. These organizations have established a comprehensive set of guidelines known as the Z308.1-2021 standard. This voluntary industry consensus ensures that first aid kits and their contents align with specific performance requirements tailored to diverse work environments, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the workplace.
Read our ANSI first aid standard article for in-depth coverage of the ANSI requirements for your first aid kit. From the ANSI standard itself to helping you choose the best kit for your needs, figuring out how many kits you might need, and even providing a complete minimum requirements supply list.
Comply with the recommended guidelines, keeping your workplace safe and prepared for any emergencies that may arise with a workplace first aid kit.
Are all Workplace First Aid Kits the same?
Now that we know that not all first aid kits are the same, are all workplace first aid kits the same? The short answer is no. Every workplace first aid kit is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the workplace environment. An ANSI-approved workplace first aid kit is carefully curated to include supplies necessary for addressing minor cuts, scrapes, burns, pain relief, and even severe bleeding. The contents of these kits may vary depending on the specific work environment, taking into account factors such as the frequency of use and the types of hazards workers may encounter.
The ANSI standard classifies workplace first aid kits into two categories: Class A and Class B. To determine which kit is required, a workplace hazard assessment should be conducted. This assessment involves considering the following three questions:
- What are the existing hazards in the workplace?
- What types of injuries have occurred or could potentially occur as a result of these hazards?
- What specific first aid supplies are needed to effectively treat these injuries?
What supplies should be in a workplace first aid kit?
While there are several types of workplace first aid kits, most are various-sized white metal cabinets with several shelves.
You need a compliant first aid kit. Take a look at our First Aid Kits page and use the filters to find the exact first aid kit that meets your needs or build your own with MFASCO's Make A Kit.
Should I have medicines in my first aid kit at work?
OSHA and ANSI/ISEA all recommend considering Over-The-Counter (OTC) medicines to help employees. Look at the ANSI/ISEA standard and the OSHA list for details. We have also written a helpful article about OTC medicines in the workplace that will help you decide how to answer this important question.
Do I need a first aid service to manage my supplies?
NO, OSHA says you can have a dedicated person oversee your first aid program ensuring you have ample supplies on hand. This can be an office manager or many organizations delegate safety team people to oversee their first aid cabinets. Part of their job will be ensuring injury reports are maintained and supplies do not run out in their first aid cabinets.
Many different people can be invested in their workplace first aid kit, for example:
Safety Officer
-- A safety officer Is responsible for maintaining safety standards and emergency preparedness in a medium to large-sized organization. Safety officers are usually looking for reliable and comprehensive workplace first aid kits that comply with local regulations.
Office Manager
-- An office manager is in charge of day-to-day operations in an office setting. They want to provide basic first aid supplies to employees for minor injuries and ensure compliance with workplace safety regulations.
Small Business Owner
-- A small business owner owns a small retail store or workshop and wants to protect their employees and customers from potential injuries by having a well-stocked and easy-to-use first aid kit on hand.
Construction Site Supervisor
-- Manages a construction site and requires a durable, weather-resistant first aid kit that contains appropriate supplies to handle common injuries in the construction industry.
School Administrator
-- Ensures the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and staff in an educational setting. They are looking for first aid kits that cater to the unique needs of a school environment.
Check out our school first aid kit guide for a more comprehensive guide on first aid kits for schools, classrooms, and nurses.
When you contract a 3rd party service to maintain and restock your first aid supplies, you lose control of what is being placed in the cabinet, and many times unnecessary products are sold to your organization. Here are 5 things first aid services don't want you to know.
How to Maintain A Workplace First Aid Kit
Refilling/restocking your first aid kit is easy to do. It is also important to inspect your supplies for expired or partially used items. You should also organize and sanitize your first aid kit to help your employees remain healthy and safe. We have also put together this helpful ebook about managing your first aid supplies.
Every workplace first aid kit we make includes an easy refill program you can oversee, ensuring you get only the products you want. Look for the Reorder/Restock label on your MFASCO first aid kit and scan the QR Code. Another easy way is to use our “refill this kit” list found on the product page of each MFASCO kit listed on our website. We also have other helpful reorder features including our reorder list and reminder schedules to help you manage your first aid supplies. Contact Customer Service so we can help you reorder your supplies.
You can also make a custom first aid kit with the MFASCO “Make-A-Kit” tool that allows you to either customize an existing MFASCO first aid kit OR create your own custom first aid kit from scratch. If you want to create a custom kit from scratch, we offer an option to include all the ANSI required items and then you add any other additional items.
First Aid Products & Accessories
MFASCO's Make a Kit Tool
Complete First Aid Kit Refill Packs
Reorder Lists for First Aid Kits
Additional Resources for Reordering First Aid Kits & Supplies
Top 8 First Aid Kit Types
What is in a First Aid Kit?
Essential First Aid Kit Supply List
