ANSI First Aid Kit Requirements
When it comes to first aid kits, standards help to establish consistency and completeness, thereby improving overall preparedness. In 2015, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) established minimum requirements for first aid kits, including types and counts of various medical supplies. While not all first aid kits are required to adhere to these standards, finding a kit that meets ANSI requirements is an excellent way to help ensure that your workplace provides adequate medical supplies for employees and customers.
At ProStat First Aid, we aim to provide high-quality first aid kits to meet the demands of any industry. We also hope to educate our customers when it comes to first aid needs. So in today’s post, we’re taking a look at what the 2015 ANSI requirements stipulate as a minimum for first aid kits. Read on to learn more!
Class A or Class B?
The 2015 ANSI Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies establishes a baseline for compliant first aid kits. These requirements cover not one, but two different types of first aid kit: Class A and Class B.
Class A first aid kits are intended for lower-risk workplaces where the risk of severe injury is minimal. Meanwhile, Class B first aid kits include additional medical supplies to address the needs of workplaces where injuries are more common or where severe and life-threatening injuries are more likely.
As we go through the ANSI first aid kit requirements, we’ll cover the requirements for both Class A and Class B kits. For our complete checklist, visit this link.
Types of Medical Supplies
A fully stocked first aid kit should contain a variety of medical supplies to be used for cleaning wounds, dressing injuries, preventing infections, and protecting those administering first aid, to name just a handful of important functions. To address these needs, the medical supplies required to meet ANSI minimum fill requirements fall into several categories, including: antiseptics, bandages, personal protective equipment (PPE), burn treatments, and miscellaneous.
Required Supplies: Antiseptics & Ointments
Antiseptics and ointments are critical for cleaning wounds and preventing infection from intrusive debris or bacteria. Minimum fill requirements for these supplies include the following:
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Antibiotic treatment, 0.14 fl. oz. applications – 10 (Class A), 25 (Class B)
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Antiseptic, 0.14 fl. oz. applications – 10 (Class A), 50 (Class B)
Required Supplies: Bandages
Bandages and other dressings help to staunch the flow of blood and provide an additional barrier against infection. Minimum fill requirements for these supplies include the following:
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Adhesive bandages, 1” x 3” – 16 (Class A), 50 (Class B)
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Adhesive tape, 2.5 yd – 1 (Class A), 2 (Class B)
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Roller bandage, 2” x 4 yd – 1 (Class A), 2 (Class B)
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Roller bandage, 4” x 4 yd – 1 (Class B only)
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Sterile gauze pads, 3” x 3” – 2 (Class A), 4 (Class B)
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Trauma pads, 5” x 9” – 2 (Class A), 4 (Class B)
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Triangular bandage, 40” x 40” x 56” – 1 (Class A), 2 (Class B)
Required Supplies: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE supplies provide for the protection of both the first aid respondent and the recipient of treatment. Minimum fill requirements for these supplies include the following:
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Breathing barrier – 1 (Class A), 1 (Class B)
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Hand sanitizer, 1/32 oz. applications – 6 (Class A), 10 (Class B)
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Medical exam gloves – 2 pairs (Class A), 4 pairs (Class B)
Required Supplies: Burn Treatments
Along with cuts and puncture wounds, burns are one of the most common types of workplace injury. Minimum fill requirements for these supplies include the following:
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Burn dressing, 4” x 4” – 1 (Class A), 2 (Class B)
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Burn treatment, 1/32 oz. applications – 10 (Class A), 25 (Class B)
Required Supplies: Miscellaneous
Other supplies stipulated by 2015 ANSI first aid kit requirements include the following:
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Cold pack, 4” x 5” – 1 (Class A), 2 (Class B)
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Eye coverings – 2 (Class A), 2 (Class B)
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Eye wash – 1 oz. (Class A), 4 oz. (Class B)
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First Aid Guide
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Scissors
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Splint – 1 (Class B only)
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Tourniquet – 1 (Class B only)
Have Questions? Get in Touch with Our Team Today!
The 2015 ANSI first aid kit requirements aim to standardize first aid kits to meet the needs of workplaces in various industries as efficiently as possible. Even with these minimums, however, some workplaces may need additional medical supplies to adequately provide for the types of injuries most commonly seen in their industry.
If you’d like to learn more about ANSI standards, or if you need help identifying which type of first aid kit is right for your workplace, ProStat First Aid is here to help! Our friendly industry experts are standing by to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!