Your Guide to First Aid Requirements in the Workplace
If you run a business, you understand how essential workplace safety is. Your workers are essential members of your operation. Without them, your productivity and efficiency couldn’t last.
Besides, when you spend so much of your day with these people, you grow to care about them. You don’t want to see them come to harm.
For this reason, workplace safety is critical. You need to know how to prevent injuries from occurring. And, if an accident does happen, you must know how to handle it.
That’s why understanding OSHA First Aid requirements is so critical. So, in this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about OSHA First Aid kit requirements!
Workplace First Aid Kit Checklist
OSHA requires all businesses to include each of these items in their workplace First Aid kit:
- Small and large sterile gauze pads
- Adhesive bandages
- Gauze roller bandages
- Triangular bandages
- Wound cleaner
- Scissors
- A blanket
- Adhesive tape
- Latex gloves
- Resuscitation equipment
- Elastic wraps
- A splint
- Clear directions for contacting emergency assistance
While every business’ kit must include these items, the quantity varies depending on the business’ size. We’ll discuss these rules in the next section.
OSHA First Aid Requirements
OSHA requires every business to include the above checklist in its First Aid kit. However, the quantity of each item varies according to the business’s size and needs
For example, a small business with only two or three employees must contain at least one or two of each item in its kit. However, larger companies must increase the quantity to accommodate their additional employees.
OSHA does not include a general requirement for all businesses on its website. Instead, when OSHA representatives inspect a workplace, they explain how the First Aid kit should look. This representative will inform you if you require any additional stock.
Fortunately, you don’t have to fly blind in building your First Aid kit. You can purchase premade versions online, such as FASO portable kits.
Additional Workplace Safety Requirements
OSHA provides other workplace safety regulations beyond those of First Aid kits. One critical rule that companies must follow is to keep clear records of workplace injuries or sicknesses.
Some businesses are exempt from this requirement. If a company employs ten or fewer employees, they do not have to keep these records. The same holds for companies in low-risk industries.
However, most other businesses must keep these records. These records help them in several ways.
They can help them determine if they need new or updated insurance policies. They can also help in worker’s compensation cases.
If you’re not sure what OSHA requires of your business, don’t worry! Simply ask your OSHA representative. These professionals can give guidance on how to follow these regulations effectively.
Check Your First Aid Kit
OSHA First Aid requirements are usually clear and straightforward to follow. So, check the codes and see if your company is compliant. If not, find out what you need to do to ensure your workplace safety.
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