The Ins & Outs of First Aid in the Workplace

 

There’s no doubt that emergency preparedness and first aid are incredibly complex topics. On top of that, the OSHA and ANSI guidance on these areas can be difficult to decipher and determine the best action plan for your work environment. But no matter what sort of facility you work in, first aid is an integral part of any workplace safety plan.

The fact of the matter is that injuries happen—and you’re required to have the appropriate first aid supplies on-hand to deal with any incidences that need immediate attention.

OSHA and ANSI First Aid Standards

From OSHA recommendations to ANSI standards, there’s a lot of information out there, so it’s often difficult to determine the appropriate approach to take when it comes to housing first aid supplies in your facility. We’re here to help guide you in making decisions that keep your workers safe and your workplace compliant. Below, we’ve provided guidance on OSHA’s first aid recommendations and ANSI’s first aid standards, the differences between Class A and Class B kits, as well as information on a variety of first aid options and services we have available for you! 

1. OSHA First Aid Recommendations
   1. According to OSHA Regulation Standard 1910.151(a), “The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of plant health.” OSHA also provides “non-mandatory” recommendations that coincide with the ANSI Z308.1-2015 Standard.
      
      Due to OSHA’s Regulation being fairly broad in scope, we always recommend following the ANSI Standard to ensure full compliance. It’s also worth noting that some states even require following the ANSI Standard.
2. ANSI First Aid Compliance
   1. Through the ANSI Z308.1-2015 standard, ANSI has established minimum performance requirements for first aid kits and their supplies. First aid 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. As each work environment is unique, it is expected that the contents of each kit is supplemented as needed based upon the recommendations of a person competent in first aid.
      
      Because of the intricacy of the topic of first aid, determining a first aid solution that is not only ANSI-compliant, but also best suited to your work environment can be cumbersome. Depending on the type of facility you work in, you may be required to house either Class A kits or Class B kits. Often, we find that facilities that only require a Class A kit may actually be using a Class B kit, which is an unnecessary waste of money and resources. Below, we’ve detailed the differences between the kits to help you determine what’s best for your unique work environment.
3. What’s the Difference Between Class A and Class B First Aid Kits?
   1. The ANSI Z308.1-2015 Standard introduces two classes of first aid kits: Class A and Class B. The Class A kits include contents designed for the most common types of workplace injuries, while Class B kits include a broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injuries in more complex or high-risk environments. The standard also classifies the kit container into four different types (I-IV). The assortment and quantity of supplies included in the kits were chosen based upon reviews of workplace incidents requiring first aid treatment, similar international standards, and current injury treatment practices. The quantity and size specifications given are the minimum necessary to comply with the standard.

 

Related: The new 2021 ANSI First Aid Kits standard is now in effect. Learn more about the new 2021 ANSI standard here.

 

Below is a table listing the minimum required components for both Class A and Class B kits:

ANSI Z308.1-2015, TABLE 1: CLASSES OF FIRST AID KITS & REQUIRED SUPPLIES

First Aid Supply	Class A Kits	Class B Kits	(US)	(Metric)
Adhesive Bandage	16	50	1 x 3 in	2.5 x 7.5 cm
Adhesive Tape	1	2	2.5 yd (total)	2.3 m
Adhesive Bandage	16	50	1 x 3 in	2.5 x 7.5 cm
Antibiotic Application	10	25	1/57 fl oz	0.5 g
Antiseptic	10	50	1/57 fl oz	0.5 g
Breathing Barrier	1	1
Burn Dressing (gel soaked)	1	2	4 x 4 in	10 x 10 cm
Burn Treatment	10	25	1/32 oz	0.9 g
Cold Pack	1	2	4 x 5 in	10 x 12.5 cm
Eye Covering with attachment	2	2	2.9 sq in	19 sq cm
Eye/Skin Wash	1 fl oz			29.6 mL
Eye/Skin Wash		4 fl oz		118.3 mL
First Aid Guide	1	1
Hand Sanitizer	6	10	1/32 oz	0.9 g
Medical Exam Gloves	2 pair	4 pair
Roller Bandage (2 inch)	1	2	2 in x 4 yd	5 cm x 3.66 m
Roller Bandage (4 inch)	0	1	4 in x 4 yd	10 cm x 3.66 m
Scissors	1	1
Splint	0	1	4 x 24 in	10.2 x 61 cm
Sterile Pad	2	4	3 x 3 in	7.5 x 7.5 cm
Tourniquet	0	1	1 in (width)	2.5 cm (width)
Trauma Pad	2	4	5 x 9 in	12.7 x 22.9 cm
Triangular Bandage	1	2	40 x 40 x 56 in	101 x 101 x 142 cm

The standard also distinguishes 4 types of kit containers, Type (I-IV):

Type	Use	Portable	Mountable	Water-Resistant	Water-Proof	Performance
I	Indoor		X
II	Indoor	X
III	Indoor/Outdoor	X	X	X
IV	Indoor/Outdoor	X	X	X	X	Special

Conney First Aid Solutions

What does your first aid program look like? Is it up to ANSI standards? Are first aid resources being properly utilized? We’re here with products, solutions, services, and trainings to assist you with all your first aid needs.

1. SmartCompliance First Aid Solutions
   1. Conney has partnered with First Aid Only® to bring you innovative SmartCompliance® solutions, which redefine and streamline business first aid. With SmartCompliance®, you get:
   2. Innovative Cabinet Design

                          i.      The unique SmartCompliance® cabinet design eliminates disorganized and missing supplies. Clearly labeled compartments create a cabinet that is easy to use and restock. With the expansion pocket, you can customize your cabinet to meet your specific needs.

1. ANSI 2015 Compliance

2. SmartCompliance Advantages
   1. With SmartCompliance®, you get a first aid solution designed to benefit both you and your workers through ease-of-use and breadth of selection.

                           i.      With a proprietary design to specifically meet workplace first aid needs, SmartCompliance® provides you with complete control of what to order and when—not by employee quota

                           ii.      SmartCompliance® is easy to monitor and maintain with its patented SmartTab® indicator that tells you when and what to reorder

                           iii.      Dispensers reduce pilferage

3. Take Full Control of Your First Aid Costs
   1. Compliance: Simplifies compliance with OSHA regulations and ANSI standards
   2. Consistency: Know what your first aid requirements will be
   3. Flexibility: Adjustable for a wide variety of industries
   4. Innovation: Changing the way businesses manage first aid
   5. Long-Dated: U.S. manufacturing ensures the freshest components
   6. Organization: Easily accessible, simple to maintain system
   7. Savings: Reduce costs over national van services by 30-60%
   8. Timeliness: Just-in-time manufacturing
4. Cabinet Options
   1. No matter the number of employees you must provide first aid for, SmartCompliance® has you covered. There are Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large cabinet options available to choose from.
   2. Depending on which option you choose, you can get:

                           i.      More SmartCompliance® refills than ever

                           ii.      Higher piece counts on top items

                           iii.      Large variety to meet more first aid demands

                           iv.      Multiple general business and food service options

                           v.      Quick, easy, and cost-effective methods to measure all your first aid needs

                           vi.      ANSI compliance and no over-stocking

                           vii.      ANSI color-coded packaging that helps you find items faster

                           viii.      Visual SmartTab® with exRefill reminder tabs that make it easy to monitor and reorder

                           ix.      Part number and barcode also located behind each box for easy reordering

                           x.      Bottom shelf and door shelves that allow you to customize to meet your specific needs

5. Direct Safety First Aid
   1. Conney’s private label Direct Safety® brand also provides a plethora of first aid options, including first aid kits, antiseptic cleaners, burn sprays, specialty bandages, cold/hot packs, and much more—plus, all the products are available at affordable prices! Check out these options today.

Conney First Aid Safety Services & Trainings

At Conney, we’re here to deliver answers and solutions to your safety questions and concerns. We provide services and trainings that can be customized to the topic of first aid.

First Aid/CPR/AED/Bloodborne Pathogen Training

Conney Safety offers First Aid/CPR/AED/Bloodborne Pathogen Training in all possible combinations. We’ve retained certified trainers all over the country allowing us to offer competitive pricing no matter where you are located.

Through these offerings, we use the First Voice Training network, which is a dedicated training network of about 500 instructors that are accredited and train regularly using American Heart Association and National CPR/first aid science standards. Their core job duty and expertise is to perform First Aid/CPR/BBP and AED training on a regular basis, plus they are certified healthcare professionals who have experience with field rescue or public rescue situations. These skilled instructors will provide hands-on training to improve the health and safety of all your employees on the job.

Our related training options include:

1. Adult CPR/AED Training (10 people minimum): 2.5 - 3 hours
2. Adult CPR/AED/FA/BBP Training (10 people minimum): 3.5 – 5 hours
3. First Aid/BBP Training (10 people minimum): 1 – 2 hours

NOTE: Other class combinations are available.

Site Safety Audits (Including First Aid)

Even the most experienced safety manager will benefit from another set of eyes to assess the status of your current safety programs (including first aid programs) or provide newer safety managers with a priority list on where to begin. Our Certified Safety Professionals will tailor a site walk-through based on the needs and expectations of your facility. We can customize facility audits to focus on specific issues (i.e., first aid), as well as interview employees to gather valuable feedback. We’ll also provide a detailed report documenting the activity of the auditor. Facility/department safety audits are dependent on the following:

• What is the size of the facility?
• Is it a comprehensive vs. topic specific audit?
• How much time is allowed to tour the facility?
• What are the expectations of the written report?

If you’re looking for an experienced safety specialist to walk through your facility and make sure your first aid program (among other programs, such as lockout/tagout or hazard communication) is up-to-date and compliant, we’re here to help! For more information on these services, contact our Certified Safety Professionals toll-free at 800-462-1947 or 

safetysupport@conney.com. You can also use the form below to request a quote.