What are ANSI Workplace First Aid Standards?

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) have established industry standards for workplace well-being to ensure employees have a sense of security and safety while performing their jobs. 

Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies establishes 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 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 will be supplemented as needed based upon the recommendations of a person competent in first aid.

ANSI/ISEA First Aid Kits Classifications

To better establish a set of standards to match the risk factor at particular workplaces, ANSI/ISEA, has separated the requirements into two classes, Class A and Class B.

Class A kits are designed to deal with the most common workplace injuries, while Class B kits cover a broader range of supplies, particularly for more complex or high-risk environments. Both sets of classifications are simply the minimum requirements and should be reviewed by your Safety Compliance Officer to asses if additional supplies are needed. 

Maintenance and Inspections

First aid kits should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure the completeness and usable condition of all supplies. Some supplies may have expiration dates, and those beyond the marked date should be replaced.

2021 ANSI Updates

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has received American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval for ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 American National Standard for Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies. This revision, the fifth since the standard was first published in 1978, builds upon the initial objective to ensure that items needed to treat the most common types of injuries encountered in the workplace are readily accessible and available.

The effective date of this standard is October 15, 2022. Thereafter, first aid kits in compliance with this standard shall contain the required supplies, and the supplies shall meet the applicable performance requirements.

This edition retains the kit classification (Class A or Class B, based on workplace environment) established in 2015 and includes several notable updates:

A Foil Blanket is Now Mandatory (view here)
This was considered based on an assessment of similar international standards and in recognition of the multiple purposes that the item can serve, such as treating hypothermia, acting as a windbreaker, or worn as an emergency waterproof wrap.

More Specificity for Tourniquets (view here)
The standard helps to distinguish tourniquets from those types of bands used to draw blood, which is not as effective in preventing blood loss as is intended.

Greater Guidance on Bleeding Control Kits
The standard provides additional details on designated bleeding control kits containing more advanced first aid supplies to treat life-threatening external bleeding immediately.

Enhanced Workplace Hazard Assessment
Included in the updated standard is a more robust discussion to assist the employer in assessing risks, identifying potential hazards, and selecting additional first aid supplies relevant to a particular application or work environment.

Our ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 First Aid Stations

Our first aid stations are explicitly designed for various workplaces by incorporating ANSI and OSHA-compliant products, giving you and your staff peace of mind. To provide the highest quality of care, especially for those experiencing sudden illness, many of the HART Health stations include thoughtfully considered additional first aid products such as over-the-counter medications. Below, we have provided a breakdown of ANSI’s minimum requirements based on Class A and B.

To view our ANSI 2021 kits, click here!

For additional assistance, 

call us at +1 800-288-8200 to speak to our knowledgeable customer service team.