First aid kit requirements

Readily available means the employer must make first aid supplies accessible at the workplace so employees can get them without unreasonable delay. Employers satisfy this obligation by placing kits where employees work or by providing a system that assures quick access (for example, multiple kits in large or dispersed operations). See 1910.151(b) and the guidance in Appendix A to 1910.151 which explains that accessibility should reflect the size, layout, and hazards of the workplace.

Appendix A points employers to the American National Standard ANSI Z308.1-1998 as an example of minimal contents for a generic workplace first aid kit. Employers can use the ANSI Z308.1-1998 list as a baseline for small worksites and then add items based on workplace needs. See Appendix A to 1910.151 for this guidance; the Appendix itself is non-mandatory and recommends ANSI Z308.1-1998 as an example.

An employer must provide extra kits or more/better supplies whenever the worksite’s size, number of operations, or specific hazards make the ANSI minimum inadequate. Appendix A says larger or multi-operation sites, or workplaces with unique or changing first-aid needs, should add kits, equipment, or quantities to match reasonably anticipated injuries. See Appendix A to 1910.151. Employers should assess operations periodically and use injury logs or medical input to decide what to add.

No — employers cannot rely solely on external emergency services in place of onsite first aid supplies if quick access is needed. Appendix A advises consultation with local fire/rescue or medical professionals but makes clear employers must ensure reasonably anticipated supplies are available onsite and that kits are "readily available" as required by 1910.151(b). Local services can supplement planning but do not relieve the employer’s duty to provide accessible first aid supplies.

No — Appendix A is non-mandatory and recommends ANSI Z308.1-1998 only as an example of minimal contents; employers are not legally bound to follow that standard word-for-word. The legal requirement is to ensure first aid supplies are "readily available" under 1910.151(b). Employers must evaluate workplace hazards and provide appropriate supplies, which may be more or different than the ANSI example. See Appendix A to 1910.151.

If employees can reasonably be expected to be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) while using first aid supplies, the employer must provide appropriate PPE in the first aid kit or nearby. The Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires PPE such as gloves, gowns, face shields, masks, and eye protection when exposure is reasonably anticipated; see 1910.1030(d)(3) and the recommendation in Appendix A to 1910.151.

Yes — Appendix A specifically recommends employers use the OSHA 300 log, OSHA 301 forms, or other injury reports to identify unique or recurring first-aid needs and to guide kit contents and quantities. See Appendix A to 1910.151. Using injury records helps employers match supplies to the types of incidents that actually occur at the workplace.

The employer is responsible for deciding kit locations and ensuring accessibility based on a workplace assessment. 1910.151(b) places the duty on the employer to make first aid supplies readily available, and Appendix A advises employers to assess the site, consult logs or medical professionals, and place kits where they can be reached quickly.

Appendix A tells employers to assess their worksite periodically and augment kits as needed, but it does not set a fixed inspection frequency. In practice, employers should establish a regular inspection schedule (for example, monthly or quarterly) and check kits after any incident to replace used items. See Appendix A to 1910.151. Documenting inspections and restocking actions is a good best practice.

The Appendix does not explicitly require training on first aid kit contents, but employers should provide training when workplace hazards or kit complexity make it necessary. If first aid tasks create an exposure to blood or OPIM, training and procedures required by the Bloodborne Pathogens standard 1910.1030(d) will apply. Employers should evaluate whether employees need basic first-aid or bloodborne-pathogen training and arrange it accordingly; see Appendix A to 1910.151.

The standard does not require PPE to be physically inside every first aid kit, but Appendix A requires employers to provide appropriate PPE when blood/OPIM exposure is reasonably anticipated and suggests making it readily available with first-aid supplies. Employers may store PPE either in the kit or in a nearby, clearly marked location as long as employees can access it quickly when needed. See Appendix A to 1910.151 and 1910.1030(d)(3).

A single central kit may be acceptable only if it is "readily available" to all employees; Appendix A explains that larger operations or multiple operations often need additional kits and types/quantities of supplies. If the central kit cannot be reached quickly from all work areas, employers should place additional kits closer to the work. See Appendix A to 1910.151 and 1910.151(b).

Federal OSHA’s 1910.151(b) requires that first aid supplies be readily available but does not universally require a designated first‑aid responder or onsite medical professional. Certain workplaces or other standards may require trained responders (for example, where hazards make prompt trained care necessary). Appendix A recommends consulting local medical professionals when assessing needs. Employers should determine whether trained responders are necessary based on hazard and proximity to emergency medical services. See 1910.151(b) and Appendix A to 1910.151.

Kits may be shared between shifts or locations only if sharing does not delay access or leave employees without supplies when needed. Appendix A’s requirement that supplies be "readily available" means employers must ensure availability at the time and place of potential injuries — if sharing would create delays or empty kits, additional kits are required. See 1910.151(b) and Appendix A.

Federal OSHA’s first aid appendix does not mandate AEDs as part of every kit, but it recognizes that larger operations or unique hazards may require additional first-aid equipment. Appendix A recommends employers assess site needs and consult local medical professionals; an AED may be appropriate where delayed EMS response is likely or where cardiac arrest risk is significant. See Appendix A to 1910.151. Some states or industry programs may have more specific AED requirements.

Contaminated supplies that may expose employees to blood or OPIM must be handled and disposed of following the Bloodborne Pathogens standard’s requirements for contaminated materials and PPE; employers must use appropriate containers and follow exposure-control procedures. See the general PPE requirement and controls in 1910.1030(d) and the specific PPE examples in 1910.1030(d)(3). Appendix A also highlights the need to provide PPE when blood exposure is reasonably anticipated Appendix A to 1910.151.

No — Appendix A does not set federally required quantities; it points employers to ANSI Z308.1-1998 for an example of minimal contents and notes those quantities are typically adequate for small worksites. Employers must determine quantities based on site size, number of employees, and injury risk. See Appendix A to 1910.151.

For remote worksites, employers should augment first aid kits, provide additional equipment, and consider trained first-aid responders because Appendix A advises employers to determine additional kits and supplies when operations are larger, remote, or when EMS response may be delayed. Employers should use injury logs and consult the local emergency room or medical professionals to tailor supplies and training. See Appendix A to 1910.151.

If employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, 1910.151(a) requires suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body in addition to first aid supplies — eyewash and drench facilities do not replace basic first aid kits. Appendix A discusses first aid kits separately and recommends assessing needs beyond the ANSI example. See 1910.151(a) and Appendix A to 1910.151.

There is no federal requirement in Appendix A or 1910.151 that mandates written inspection records for first aid kits, but Appendix A does require employers to periodically assess needs and recommends using logs and reports to identify problems. Keeping a written inspection and inventory log is a recommended best practice to show compliance with the obligation to maintain readily available supplies and to help managers track restocking and trends. See Appendix A to 1910.151.