The Cure Safety New ANSI Standard: ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015 Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies

ANSI The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, systems and personnel ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 addresses minimum performance requirements for first aid kits and their supplies that are intended for use in various work environments OSHA often refers employers to the ANSI standard as a best practices solution for requirements if a company does not have an infirmary

Overview First aid kits are designed to deal with common workplace injuries Major and minor wounds Minor burns Sprains Strains Eye injuries The revised ANSI Standard classifies first aid kits based on the assortment and quantity of first aid supplies

Overview The changes in the revised standard are based on a review of workplace incidents Two classes of first aid kit: Class A Designed to address most common workplace injuries Class B Offer a broader range and quantity of supplies Meant for more complex or high-risk environments

Class A Intended for non-industrial work environments Meant to provide for small numbers of employees Can fit into a smaller container

Class A

Class B Suitable for manufacturing environments Industrial shops Places where cuts, scrapes, and burns are common Areas with high numbers of employees

Class B

Should I have Class A or B? Employers should consider: Number of employees Likelihood of serious injuries Physical layout of workplace Response time to access supplies Remoteness to emergency services ANSI recommendations are for minimum supplies Exceeding ANSI fill lists is often prudent

Assessing the Danger of the Workplace To keep track of previous workplace injuries, consult the OSHA 300 Log The OSHA 300 Log is a record of significant injuries and illnesses that have occurred during a specified timeframe (usually 1 year)

First Aid Kit Type While there are two classes of First Aid Kit fill lists (Class A and Class B), there are also 4 types of First Aid Kit Types: Type I Type II Type III Type IV

Type I Kit Intended use: stationary, indoor setting Potential for damage: minimal Requirements: minimum fill requirements and the means for mounting in a fixed position Typical applications: general indoor use, offices, manufacturing facilities

Type II Kit Intended use: portable, indoor setting Potential for damage: minimal Requirements: minimum fill requirements and the means to be portable Typical applications: general indoor use, offices, manufacturing facilities

Type III Kit Intended use: portable, use in mobile, indoor/outdoor settings Potential for damage: not probable Requirements: minimum fill requirements; means for mounting in a fixed position; water-resistant seal Typical applications: general indoor use, sheltered outdoor use

Type IV Kit Intended use: portable use in mobile industries and/or outdoor settings Potential for damage: significant Requirements: minimum fill requirements; means for mounting in fixed position; corrosion- and moisture-resistant; impact-resistant Typical applications: transportation, utility, and construction industry; armed forces

Trauma Kit In addition to a Class B kit, many companies also benefit from having a trauma kit on hand, for serious injuries

Bottom Line The Cure Safety’s kits meet or exceed ANSI’s minimum requirements Our kits are identified as either Class A or Class B Including additional first aid items in your kit is recommended

Frequently Asked Question Is a consulting physician required to approve first aid supplies on site? No. According to 29 CFR 1910.51, first aid supplies do not need to be approved by a consulting physician. They should, however, be selected by a person competent in first aid and knowledgeable of the hazards found in their specific workplace

Frequently Asked Question Is it required that first aid kits be regularly inspected to ensure that contents are complete and up-to-date? Yes. All first aid kits should be regularly inspected to ensure they are full, in good condition, and that none of the contents have expired. The content list for the first aid kits should also be periodically reviewed to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the workplace

First Aid Kit Maintenance Proper upkeep and maintenance of first aid kits is imperative to stay safe Overtime, many supplies can expire and lose their potency Medications Ointments Cleansers Sprays Even adhesive bandages can dry out and become useless

First Aid Kit Maintenance Don’t neglect your kit! Our customer service representatives can service them for you! Call us!

Frequently Asked Question Can over-the-counter medications be put into first aid kits? Over-the-counter medications (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, etc.) can be put in first aid kits if they: Are packaged in single-dose, tamper evident packaging Are labeled as required by the FDA Contain no ingredients known to cause drowsiness

OTC Medications OSHA has determined that offering over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Increases productivity Raises morale Reduces accidents Individually packaged and labeled medications reduce the chances of: Coworkers sharing prescription medications Employees taking too much of a drug Employees accidentally using medications that cause drowsiness

OTC Medications A recent study sponsored by AdvancePCS put a dollar figure of $180 billion on the cost of lost productivity for just a handful of problems like headaches and allergies With the average employee making about $17/hour, it’s not hard to justify the expense of a $0.20 analgesic pain reliever to keep him/her on the job

First Aid & CPR Training It’s not always enough to simply have a first aid kit on hand Regular training is important to make sure employees know what to do in the event of an emergency

First Aid & CPR Training OSHA has named several specifics types on industries that are required to have training in first aid & CPR: Permit-required Confined Spaces Logging Operations Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Diving Operations Construction of electric lines and equipment

First Aid & CPR Training Other industries must assess the likelihood of injury The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides injury statistics for many industries

First Aid & CPR Training In addition, OSHA states: In some cases, this may mean providing training for employees to have on-site medical assistance “The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of plant health.”

First Aid & CPR Training Part (b) of the same requirement 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.”

First Aid & CPR Training OSHA defined “near proximity” as 4 – 6 minutes from injury to medical care “In areas where accidents resulting in suffocation, severe bleeding, or other life threatening or permanently disabling injury or illness can be expected.”

First Aid & CPR Training Emergency medical services (EMS) use and standard 8 minute response time for metropolitan areas Rural ambulance response times are significantly longer This can necessitate first aid training even in areas with low incidences of injuries