OSHA requires employers to ensure medical assistance and first aid supplies are readily available for injured employees. Employers must ensure medical personnel are available for advice, adequately train employees to render first aid, and stock appropriate first aid supplies. First aid kits must contain supplies to treat common workplace injuries and be tailored based on a hazard assessment. The ANSI standard provides examples of minimal generic first aid kit contents. Employers must also provide PPE like gloves if exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials is possible. Good Samaritan laws provide liability protection for those providing first aid or utilizing devices like AEDs and naloxone to help others in emergency situations.
3. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 SUBPART K
Titled: Medical Services and First Aid
1910.151(a)
The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on
matters of plant health.
1910.151(b)
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.
1910.151(c)
Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable
facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area
for immediate emergency use.
4. FIRST AID KITS
Employers who have unique or changing first-aid needs in their workplace
may need to enhance their first-aid kits. The employer can use the OSHA 300
log, OSHA 301 log, or other reports to identify these unique problems.
Consultation from the local fire/rescue department, appropriate medical
professional, or local emergency room may be helpful to employers in these
circumstances. By assessing the specific needs of their workplace, employers
can ensure that reasonably anticipated supplies are available. Employers should
assess the specific needs of their worksite periodically and augment the first
aid kit appropriately.
5. FIRST AID KITS CONTINUED
If it is reasonably anticipated that employees will be exposed to
blood or other potentially infectious materials while using first aid
supplies, employers are required to provide appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE) in compliance with the provisions of
the Occupational Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens standard, §
1910.1030(d)(3) (56 FR 64175). This standard lists appropriate
PPE for this type of exposure, such as gloves, gowns, face
shields, masks, and eye protection.
6. 1915 SUBPART F (1915.87 APPENDIX A) FIRST AID
KITS AND AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
DEFIBRILLATORS (NON-MANDATORY)
1. First aid supplies are required to be adequate and readily accessible under
paragraphs § 1915.87(a) and (d). An example of the minimal contents of a
generic first aid kit for workplace settings is described in ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-
2009, "Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies"
(incorporated by reference as specified in § 1915.5). The contents of the kit
listed in this ANSI standard should be adequate for small worksites. When
larger operations or multiple operations are being conducted at the same
worksite, employers should determine the need for additional first aid kits,
additional types of first aid equipment and supplies, and additional quantities
and types of supplies and equipment in the first aid kits.
7. 1915 SUBPART F (1915.87 APPENDIX A) FIRST AID
KITS AND AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
DEFIBRILLATORS (NON-MANDATORY)
2. In a similar fashion, employers that have unique or changing first aid needs
at their worksite may need to enhance their first aid kits. The employer can use
the OSHA 300 Log, OSHA 301 Incident Report form, or other reports to
identify these unique problems. Consultation from the local fire or rescue
department, appropriate healthcare professional or local emergency room may
be helpful to employers in these circumstances. By assessing the specific needs
of their worksite, employers can ensure that reasonably anticipated supplies
are available. Employers should assess the specific needs of their worksite
periodically, and augment first aid kits appropriately.
8. 1915 SUBPART F (1915.87 APPENDIX A) FIRST AID
KITS AND AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
DEFIBRILLATORS (NON-MANDATORY)
3. If it is reasonably anticipated that employees will be exposed to
blood or other potentially infectious materials while using first aid
supplies, employers must provide appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE) in compliance with the provisions of the
Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens standard, §
1910.1030(d)(3). This standard lists appropriate PPE for this type of
exposure, such as gloves, gowns, face shields, masks, and eye
protection.
9. 1915 SUBPART F (1915.87 APPENDIX A) FIRST AID
KITS AND AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
DEFIBRILLATORS (NON-MANDATORY)
4. Employers who provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
at their workplaces should designate who will use AEDs and train
those employees, so they know how to correctly use the AEDs.
Although a growing number of AEDs are now designed to be used by
any person, even without training, training reinforces proper use and
promotes the usefulness of AEDs as part of an effective
cardiopulmonary resuscitation plan. For AEDs to be effective,
employers should:
a. Ensure that AEDs are located so they can be utilized within
three to five minutes of a report of an accident or injury;
b. Ensure that employees use AEDs in accordance with
manufacturers' specifications; and
c. Inspect, test, and maintain AEDs in accordance with
manufacturers' specifications.
10. EMPLOYERS MUST ASSESS
You must do a hazard assessment of your
workplace to determine the type of hazards
present and therefore the type(s) of injuries
you might expect. Address those hazards to
mitigate their potential, then prepare for an
event that may still happen. This will help
you determine the type of first aid kit(s) to
install.
12. WHAT NEEDS TO BE IN A FIRST AID KIT? APPENDIX A TO
1910.266: FIRST AID KITS (MANDATORY)
1. Gauze pads (at least 4 x 4 inches)
2. Two large gauze pads (at least 8 x 10 inches)
3. Box adhesive bandages (band-aids).
4. One package gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches
wide
5. Two triangular bandages
6. Wound cleaning agent such as sealed moistened
towelettes
7. Scissors
8. At least one blanket
9. Tweezers
10. Adhesive tape
11. Latex gloves
12. Resuscitation equipment such as resuscitation bag,
airway, or pocket mask
13. Two elastic wraps
14. Splint
15. Directions for requesting emergency assistance
While OSHA only goes into First Aid Kits via the Logging Standard, we can extrapolate and use it as a guide.
Those items are:
14. THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE
Class A: These are offices, warehouse, etc. type businesses. Usually minor cuts, and abrasions.
16 Adhesive Bandages 1x3”
1 Adhesive Tape Roll 2.5 yds
10 Antibiotic Treatment Apps 1/57 oz
10 Antiseptic Apps 1/57 oz
1 Breathing Barrier
1 Burn dressing, gel soaked 4x4
10 Burn treatments 1/32 oz
1 Cold Pack
2 Eye coverings
1 Eye Wash 1 oz
1 First Aid Guide
6 Hand Sanitizer .9 g
2 Pair Exam Gloves
1 Roller Bandage 2” x 4 yds
1 Scissors
2 Sterile Pad 3”X3”
2 Trauma Pad 5”x9”
1 Triangle Bandage 40”x40”x56”
15. THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE
Class B: More high-risk workplaces, such as, manufacturing, welding, woodworking,
fabrication, etc.
50 Adhesive Bandages 1x3”
2 Adhesive Tape Roll 2.5 yds
25 Antibiotic Treatment Apps 1/57 oz
50 Antiseptic Apps 1/57 oz
1 Breathing Barrier
2 Burn dressing, gel soaked 4x4
25 Burn treatments 1/32 oz
2 Cold Pack
2 Eye coverings
1 Eye Wash 1 oz
1 First Aid Guide
10 Hand Sanitizer .9 g
4 Pair Exam Gloves
2 Roller Bandage 2”x 4 yds
1 Scissors
1 Splint
4 Sterile Pad 3”X 3”
1 Tourniquet
4Trauma Pad 5”x 9”
2 Triangle Bandage 40”x 40”x56”
16. AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AND OVERDOSE
MEDICATION-NARCAN
Good Samaritan Laws
What is a Good Samaritan Law? This refers to a liability protection for people
who step up and come the aid of someone else that is having a sudden illness
or injury. It does not apply to people who are working in a paid, professional capacity, like
an emergency services professionals.
Unfortunately, not all states have the same laws. Some states offer the
immunity protection to all AED operators, while others do not. It is imperative
to know your states law regarding rescue operations.
17. NALOXONE (NARCAN®)
Relatively new to the world, often called the 911 Good Samaritan Law or the Drug Overdose
Immunity Law, this law provides protection to drug users and witnesses who decide to help
when they perceive a drug overdose. 40 States and D.C. have this type of law currently. The
following do not, yet. Know your state’s law.
Arizona Missouri
Idaho Oklahoma
Iowa South Carolina
Kansas Texas
Maine Wyoming
Missouri
If you utilize this product, it
is best to be trained on its
application and
administration.
18. WHY DO THESE LAWS EXIST?
To encourage people to help others in need without fear of litigation.
Calling 911 isn’t always enough. It may take up to 15 minutes of more for
EMS to arrive.
That being known, during a cardiac arrest, each minute that passes the patient
prognosis can decline by as mush as 10%.
Each state and D.C. have some type of Good Samaritan Law in effect. Learn
and know yours.
19. MORE ON GOOD SAMARITAN LAWS
They apply when the bystander who steps up to help, provides “reasonable
assistance” to the victim. The basics are as follows:
The care provided was performed in direct response to an emergency
The care provider was not responsible for causing the injury
The care provider did not act in a grossly negligent or reckless manner
The care provider did not have a duty to treat
“Duty to treat” means that the care provider already has a pre-existing responsibility to
provide care. This may be because they are being paid to respond to an emergency (EMTs,
physicians) or because they are required by law to administer care.
20. MORE ON GOOD SAMARITAN LAWS
In most states, in most cases, you must gain consent from an adult
victim before administering aid. If the victim falls unconscious, then
it is implied they want help. Again, learn your states specific
definition.
Children, are different. You must get the consent from the parent or
guardian instead of the child. If the parent or guardian is not
present, there is implied consent. The protections should stand.
21. SO MUCH TO KNOW
Providing training for your employees will go a long way in
helping your community.
Everyone should know how and when to act and what laws
protect them if they do.
You don’t know who might be saved, it might be you.
