Whether you're stocking industrial first aid cabinets or office first aid kits, it's essential to ensure you choose first aid items that comply with workplace health and safety rules and regulations.
This guide shows you the essential first aid kit requirements, provides a basic checklist of medical supplies for workplace first aid kits and much more!
Keep reading to ensure your commercial establishment is compliant and properly equipped to tackle medical emergencies.
First Aid Kit Requirements: What Every Business Should Know
To ensure your business is compliant with health and safety rules and regulations, be sure to check it adheres to the following requirements:
You must provide at least one first-aid kit
You must have access to first aid facilities (such as designated medical rooms or stations equipped with first aid supplies)
Have trained first aiders on-site during work hours
Basic First Aid Kit Checklist
According to the rules and regulations instilled by the American National Standards Institute, first aid kits must contain basic equipment that can treat various common injuries, including cuts, grazes, muscular sprains/strains, minor burns, major bleeding wounds, broken bones, eye injuries, and shock.
The medical supplies in a first aid kit must be based on a risk assessment that determines what types of injuries are more likely to occur. This ensures businesses are properly prepared.
Here's a checklist with the basic all-purpose first aid kit items that every commercial establishment should have:
Sterile Adhesive Dressings:
Sterile adhesive dressings, such as the SmartCompliance Plastic Bandage by First Aid Only , are used to cover minor wounds, such as cuts and grazes, by sticking to the skin. They feature absorbent bandage padding that effectively absorbs light bleeding and protects against infectious bacteria.
Sterile Non-Adhesive Dressings/Bandages:
Non-adhesive dressings and bandages, like the SmartCompliance Elastic Bandage Wrap, Latex-free by First Aid Only , are designed to protect larger wounds and absorb bleeding. This type of dressing can be cut to any length, making it ideal for hard-to-reach areas that are tricky to bandage, such as elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles.
Gauze:
Gauzes, like the First Aid Conforming Gauze Bandage by First Aid Only , are small, highly absorbent medical dressings that go on top of bleeding wounds, creating a protective barrier against infection and further injury.
Gloves:
To prevent cross-contamination and infection of both the injured person and the caregiver, gloves, such as the Gloveworks 4 Mil Latex PF Ind Large Gloves by Ammex , are a necessity.
Antiseptic Wipes:
Antiseptic wipes are designed to clean wounds and prevent infection. They often contain an active antiseptic ingredient, such as iodine or benzalkonium chloride, as seen in the Antiseptic Cleansing Wipes by First Aid Only . This ensures wounds are effectively sterilized and protected against infectious bacteria.
Tweezers:
Tweezers are a must-have first aid item, especially if splinters are a common injury at your workplace! Good-quality medical tweezers are typically made with stainless steel and feature textured handles to ensure a secure grip. They have specially angled tips that allow for precise extraction of splinters, glass or plastic fragments, and dirt stuck in wounds.
Slings/Tourniquets:
Slings are used to support injured arms or shoulders while restricting movement to prevent further damage. Tourniquets are designed to stop severe bleeding by creating tight, restrictive pressure. You can find 2-in-1 sling and tourniquet packs, like the First-Aid Refill Sling/Tourniquet Triangular Bandages by First Aid Only , which work both ways to accommodate different injuries.
Antibiotic Creams:
There are many types of medical creams suited to various types of wounds. Antibiotic creams, such as the Antibiotic Ointment by Neosporin , are formulated for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. They help fight infection, keep fresh wounds clean, and promote healing.
Splint:
Splints, like the Adjustable Reversible Splint Wrist Brace by FUTURO , are designed to stabilize and support broken bones and strained muscles. They are often rigid to ensure injured areas are kept securely in place and protected from further injury.
Find Affordable, ANSI-Compliant First Aid Kit Essentials at Buy Direct
Whether you're restocking office, commercial kitchen, construction site, or industrial first-aid kits, we have a wide selection of ANSI-compliant, bulk medical supplies suited to every workplace environment. We even offer conveniently pre-packed first aid kits, such as the 25-Person First Aid Kit, 113 Pieces/Kit by First Aid Only , that save you the time and effort of looking for individual supplies.
Boasting an array of trusted brands, including First Aid Only, Physicians Care, and Curad, you can rest assured knowing we have everything you need to keep your workplace well-equipped to handle any medical emergencies. Shop our entire first aid kit range today at Buy Direct!
FAQs:
Do you have a question about what's needed in a first aid kit for businesses?
Is It Required To Have a First Aid Kit in the Office?
Yes, all offices must have a first aid kit. According to workplace health and safety rules, every type of commercial establishment needs to have a first aid kit based on the hazards and amount of employees in a workplace, be it an office, warehouse, restaurant, sports facility, or factory.
If you need an office first aid kit, you can find all the essential supplies and ready-packed kits for unbeatable wholesale prices at Buy Direct today!
Should All Workplaces Have First Aid Kits?
Yes, all workplaces are legally required to have first aid kits. Employers must provide first aid kits that contain essential medical supplies as well as items that relate to the specific injury risks in a given workplace.
For example, if your work environment handles hot appliances and equipment, such as kitchen stoves or welding torches, which pose a likely risk of burns, you should further equip first aid kits with specialized burn dressings and burn creams .
If you're seeking specific medical items for unbeatable prices, shop our ANSI-compliant collection of First Aid and Health Supplies at Buy Direct.
How Many First Aid Kits Do Businesses Need?
Small work environments should have at least one first aid kit available. If your establishment is larger, consider having multiple first aid kits available throughout the site.
To determine how many first aid kits your company needs and the type of required supplies, you must conduct a thorough hazard assessment. This will allow you to pinpoint the most likely injuries in your workplace and identify which medical items are most appropriate.
If you're seeking affordable medical supplies for your business, shop our bulk First Aid and Health Supplies collection at Buy Direct!
How Do You Store a Workplace First Aid Kit?
It's common for workplace first-aid kits to be wall-mounted or stored in designated first-aid cabinets.
In the case of an emergency, wall-mounted first aid kits are easy to access quickly. However, first aid cabinet storage is best for busy workplaces that handle heavy equipment, such as construction sites of manufacturing warehouses and factories, as it ensures kits are protected against accidental damage.
Cabinets are also an appropriate option for outdoor spaces or areas that experience poor ventilation and high humidity levels, as they protect medical items from such conditions, which otherwise cause damage. Nonetheless, wall-mounted first aid kits are best for more controlled environments, like commercial offices.