What OSHA requires (29 CFR 1910.151(b))
OSHA’s general industry rule has two parts: if there’s no infirmary, clinic or hospital in near proximity, someone must be adequately trained to give first aid, and adequate first aid supplies must be readily available. It doesn’t specify the contents of the kit.
“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. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.” 29 CFR 1910.151(b)
OSHA has long read “near proximity” to mean emergency care within 3 to 4 minutes where serious injuries such as stopped breathing, cardiac arrest or uncontrolled bleeding are possible, and it has said up to 15 minutes may be reasonable in a lower-risk workplace such as an office. It also lets employers stock supplies that suit their own hazards, and it allows first aid cabinets to be locked as long as they’re readily accessible in an emergency.
An AED isn’t one of the required first aid supplies: OSHA has said the standard doesn’t require one. Its best-practices guide does say an AED should be considered when choosing first aid supplies and equipment, and our workplace AED page covers why most workplaces keep one.
Appendix A to 1910.151
The appendix is non-mandatory. It names ANSI Z308.1-1998 as an example of the minimal contents of a generic kit, says that kit should be enough for small worksites, and tells larger or multi-operation sites to assess their needs and add to the kit. It also asks employers to review their first aid needs periodically.
ANSI Z308.1 kit classes and minimum contents
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 is the consensus standard for workplace first aid kits, and since 2015 it has defined two classes: Class A for the most common workplace injuries, and Class B, with more supplies and a broader range, for more complex or high-risk workplaces. The current edition is ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, in effect since October 15, 2022.
- Class A kits cover the injuries most workplaces see, such as minor cuts, abrasions and sprains.
- Class B kits carry larger quantities and a wider range of supplies, including a tourniquet. OSHA has said Class B kits are strongly recommended for construction and shipyards.
The standard also defines four container types, from Type I, for indoor wall-mounted use, to Type IV, for outdoor use and tested for corrosion, moisture and impact. The 2021 edition kept the 2015 classes and made a foil blanket a required item.
We don’t reproduce the item lists: the standard is copyrighted and sold by ANSI. When you buy a kit, check its label for the class and the edition it was built to, and add anything your own hazards call for.
Requirements by workplace
The rule is the same wherever OSHA’s general industry standard applies; what changes is what “adequate” means for your hazards. Construction has its own rule, with a weekly check.
Restaurants
Restaurant first aid kit requirements come from the same rule, 29 CFR 1910.151(b). OSHA’s young-worker restaurant guidance focuses on burns and recommends burn first aid training, so stock and train for burns and cuts. Where cleaning chemicals are corrosive, the eyewash rule in 1910.151(c) applies too; see our eyewash station requirements.
Construction
Construction follows 29 CFR 1926.50. Supplies must be easily accessible, kept in a weatherproof container with individually sealed packages, and checked by the employer before being sent out on each job and at least weekly on each job, so used items are replaced. Unless care is reasonably accessible, a person with a valid first aid certificate must be available at the site. OSHA strongly recommends Class B kits for construction.
Offices
Offices still need adequate supplies, readily available. Because serious injuries are less likely, OSHA has said emergency care up to 15 minutes away may meet the near-proximity test, and a Class A kit sized for the number of people is the usual starting point.
Shipyards
Shipyard employment has its own rule, 29 CFR 1915.87, which requires first aid supplies to be inspected at sufficient intervals to keep them adequate and serviceable.
How often to inspect and restock
OSHA requires construction kits to be checked before each job and at least weekly, but sets no interval for other workplaces. ISEA, which maintains the ANSI standard, recommends checking kits at least monthly and after every use.
That makes monthly the practical baseline for most workplaces, weekly for construction and other kits that see heavy use, and always right after a kit has been used. A monthly first aid kit inspection checks the same few things every time:
- All required contents present
- No expired items
- Cabinet clean and accessible
- Tamper seal / indicator intact
- Restocked as needed
These are AED Log’s default first aid cabinet checks, and they’re also on our free first aid kit inspection checklist and tag. Hang the tag on the cabinet and initial it at each check, so the next person can see when it was last done.
Restock as you go, not just at inspection time: OSHA’s construction rule exists precisely so expended items are replaced. Supplies with expiration dates, such as some ointments, eyewash bottles and medications, need their dates checked too. If your first aid station also holds epinephrine auto-injectors or naloxone, see how long they last in our guides to EpiPen expiration and Narcan expiration.
Tracking first aid cabinets automatically
AED Log tracks each first aid cabinet’s contents and their expiration dates, schedules its inspection, and alerts the responsible people before anything expires or a check is missed.
List each cabinet’s supplies with their lot numbers and expiration dates; every date feeds the alerts and the compliance calendar. The default check is monthly, and you can set it to weekly for construction kits. When a cabinet is used, the incident report records the injury, the treatment, the items used and whether the person was referred for care.
First aid cabinet tracking is an add-on at $8 per cabinet per year, on top of an AED plan. See first aid cabinet inspection software.
First aid kit requirements FAQ
Does OSHA require a first aid kit?
In effect, yes. 29 CFR 1910.151(b) requires adequate first aid supplies to be readily available, though it doesn't say what goes in them. OSHA points to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 as a guide to the contents.
What is the difference between a Class A and a Class B first aid kit?
Under ANSI/ISEA Z308.1, a Class A kit covers the most common workplace injuries, such as minor cuts and sprains. A Class B kit holds more supplies and a broader range for complex or high-risk workplaces, and OSHA strongly recommends it for construction.
How often should first aid kits be inspected?
OSHA requires construction kits to be checked before each job and at least weekly. For other workplaces it sets no interval; ISEA, which maintains the ANSI standard, recommends checking at least monthly and after every use.
What does near proximity mean in the OSHA first aid rule?
OSHA reads it as emergency care within 3 to 4 minutes where serious injuries such as cardiac arrest or uncontrolled bleeding are possible. In lower-risk workplaces such as offices, up to 15 minutes may be reasonable. Otherwise someone on site must be trained in first aid.
Can I track expiration dates for first aid supplies?
Yes. List the cabinet's contents with their expiration dates, and each date feeds the alerts and the calendar. The monthly check records whether anything had expired and whether the cabinet was restocked.