In Case of Emergency. Is your First Aid Kit Compliant?

Do you understand ANSI Compliance? We do!

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), approximately three million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses are reported each year. To help prevent minor injuries from becoming more serious, OSHA requires that first aid supplies be readily available to treat minor injuries that occur in the workplace.

OSHA’s medical service and first aid regulation, 29 CFR 1910.151(b) 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.” First aid kits are designed to deal with common workplace injuries including major and minor wounds, minor burns, sprains, strains and eye injuries.

ANSI, the American National Standards Institute has established the minimum requirements for first aid supplies necessary for the workplace and OSHA enforces those requirements. It’s important to note that ensuring that your first aid cabinets meet the standard is the employer’s responsibility. It’s easy to be compliant with this easy 3 step guideline.

1.  Determine the type of ANSI Kit that fits your office needs.
2.  Select the appropriate type of kit.
3.  Maintain and refill your kits as needed.

1.  Determine the type of ANSI Kit that fits your office needs.

Based on the ANSI Z308.1-2015 standard, ANSI has created two different classes of first aid kits. Class A and Class B Kits are classified based on the assortment and quantity of first aid supplies intended to deal with most types of injuries and sudden illnesses that may be encountered in the workplace. These may include major and minor wounds; minor burns; sprains and strains; and eye injuries. The quantity and size specifications given are the minimum necessary to comply with the 2015 standard, the most recent standard available.  As each work environment is unique, it is expected that the contents of each kit will be supplemented as needed. 

Class A - Common workplace injuries like minor cuts, scrapes, abrasions, burns and strains are included. Typically, a smaller size facility that does not have a potential for more high-risk injury type work.  It may look like this example here to the right.  This is a plastic box with a rubber seal to keep moisture out.  The contents are the exact specifications for Class A first aid kits.  See below for list of contents required.

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Class B - Workplace injuries that are more high-risk or larger facilities where the chances of injury increases fall into this class. There are more types and quantities of supplies meant to deal with environments where injury risks are more prone.  This example is a metal industrial 2 shelf type box that is designed to be mounted on a wall. ​See below for list of contents required.

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​2.  Select the Appropriate Kit

Based on your work environment, the appropriate type of container should be selected. ANSI has addressed the types of containers based on indoor or outdoor use and are classified by portability, ability to be mounted, resistance to water, and corrosion and impact resistance. Four types are identified:
 
Type I: Intended for use in stationary, indoor applications where kit contents have minimal potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling. 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 use in a manufacturing facility. First aid cabinets would generally fall into this type.
 
Type II: Intended for use in portable indoor applications where the potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling is minimal. These kits should be equipped with a carrying handle. Some applications for Type II first aid kits are general indoor use, or use in office or manufacturing environments.
 
Type III: Intended for portable use in mobile indoor and/or outdoor settings where the potential for damage due to environmental factors is not probable. Kits should have the means to be mounted and have a water resistant seal. Typical applications include general indoor use and sheltered outdoor use.
 
Type IV: Intended for portable use in mobile industries and/or outdoor applications where the potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling is significant. Typical applications include the transportation industry, utility industry, construction industry and the armed forces.

It isn't complicated. In most cases your facility will use a wall mounted first aid kit. It does not need to be water-resistant or proof unless there is a risk of water exposure. If you are placing kits in a vehicle or construction site gang box, a portable kit that is water resistant would be required. Again, if you know water will be present, a water resistant or waterproof container is required. Marine or pool activities are ideal for this type of kit and a class A list is almost always used for these types of environments. 

3.  Maintain & Refill Your Kit

This too is very simple and something that can be done yourself.   Overhead for a first aid service includes drivers salary & commission, vehicle costs, insurance, cost of the product and several other factors. These services are the most expensive option for maintaining your first aid kit. You can easily reduce your cost by 50-75% when you maintain the first aid cabinets yourself. If your monthly invoice from your service is 150 dollars, you can expect to pay about 70 dollars when you do it yourself. 
We offer Smart Compliance kits by FirstAid Only brand designed to make it easy to see when a supply needs to be refilled.  Ask your Twist Rep today for more information.
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Class A                                                                                                Class B
16 Adhesive Bandages, 1" x 3"                                                           50 Adhesive Bandages, 1" x 3"
1 Adhesive Tape 2.5 yards                                                                  2 Adhesive Tape 2.5 yards
10 Antiseptic, 0.14 fl. oz (0.5g) applications                                       50 Antiseptic, 0.14 fl. oz (0.5g) applications
10 Antibiotic Treatment Application 1/57                                           25 Antibiotic Treatment Application,1/57 oz.
1 Breathing Barrier                                                                              1 Breathing Barrier
1 Burn Dressing, Gel Soaked, 4" x 4"                                                  2 Burn Dressing, Gel Soaked, 4" x 4"
10 Burn Treatment, 1/32 oz.                                                               25 Burn Treatment, 1/32 oz.
1 Cold Pack                                                                                        2 Cold Pack
2 Eye Covering                                                                                    2 Eye Covering
1 Eye Wash, 1 oz.                                                                               1 Eye Wash, 4 oz.
1 First Aid Guide                                                                                 1 First Aid Guide
6 Hand Sanitizer, 0.9g                                                                        10 Hand Sanitizer, 0.9g
2 Pair Exam Gloves                                                                             4 Pair Exam Gloves
1 Roller Bandage, 2" x 4 yards                                                            2 Roller Bandage, 2" x 4 yards
1 Scissors                                                                                           1 Scissors
2 Sterile Pads, 5" x 9"                                                                         1 Splint, minimum 4" x 24"
2 Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"                                                                           Sterile Pad, 3" x 3"
1 Triangular Bandage, 40" x 40" x 56"                                                 1 Tourniquet
                                                                                                            4 Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
                                                                                                            2 Triangular Bandage, 40" x 40" ​