First Aid Kit Checklist: The Ultimate Guide for Today’s Offices

A first aid kit for office checklist is a critical tool employers can use to keep their staff, visitors, and vendors safe. When you know all about the tools you should keep on hand, you’ll be prepared to shop like an expert.

A checklist can also help you to perform routine maintenance on your first aid kits. Understanding what should be in each kit can help you determine when something is missing and should be replaced.

Here’s what you need to know.

Your First Aid Kit for Office Checklist

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains a list of mandatory items for first aid kits. They include the following:

Category

Required Items

Bandages

Small gauze pads at least 4 by 4 inches

Two large gauze pads at least 8 by 10 inches

Box of adhesive bandages

One package of gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches wide

Two triangular bandages

Cleaning agents

Sealed, moistened towelettes

Tools

Scissors, tweezers

Protective equipment

Latex gloves, resuscitation bag or pocket mask

Supplies for serious injuries

Two elastic wraps

Splint

Blanket

Directions

How to request emergency assistance

Optional: Modifications for your worksite

Depends on your site. Items like gowns, face shields, masks, and eye protection might be appropriate.

Here’s what you need to know about each category.

Bandages

Cuts, scrapes, and punctures are a part of life. Sometimes, employees work around fast-moving equipment or careless coworkers and develop these injuries while on the job.

In 2020, more than 196,000 injuries caused by contact with objects and equipment were so severe that they resulted in time away from work. A well-stocked first aid kit could allow colleagues to treat minor problems quickly, so they don’t get worse before the person can get help.

Per OSHA requirements, your first aid kit should include the following bandages:

  • Small gauze pads that are at least 4 by 4 inches

  • Two large gauze pads that are at least 8 by 10 inches

  • Box of adhesive bandages

  • One package of gauze roller bandage that is at least 2 inches wide

  • Two triangular bandages

Cleaning Agents

Tap water considered sterile for drinking in North America is typically best for cleaning open wounds, researchers say. But sometimes, staff members aren’t close to a faucet when the injury happens.

Per OSHA requirements, your first aid kit should contain sealed, moistened towelettes. Staff can use them to quickly clean an injury, and they can be tossed when they’re not needed.

Tools

Splinters are hard to remove without the right tools. And some injuries require helpers to cut away clothing or measure the right amount of a bandage. While your staff could grab regular office tools for these tasks, that’s not always safe.

For example, researchers found strong bacteria on communal scissors used by nurses in healthcare facilities. It’s likely scissors and tweezers sitting in toolboxes have their own forms of bacteria.

Per OSHA requirements, your first aid kit should contain scissors and tweezers. These tools should also be kept very clean and used for no other purpose.

Protective Equipment

OSHA requirements don’t require full personal protective equipment (PPE) in a standard first aid kit. (We’ll discuss this in a minute.) However, your kit should include latex gloves and a resuscitation bag. These tools ensure that helpers can quickly protect themselves before they assist someone in a crisis..

Supplies for Serious Injuries

Between 2021 and 2022, 20% of the injuries involving days away from work happened due to falls, slips, and trips. The most frequent type of injury caused by these episodes were sprains, strains, and tears.

When an employee takes a bad fall or slip, bones may break and ligaments may tear. A well-stocked first aid kit has tools people can use to help their colleagues until help arrives.

Per OSHA requirements, your first aid kit should contain the following items:

  • Two elastic wraps

  • A splint

  • At least one blanket

Directions

What should employees do when an accident happens at work? Who should they call? Your first aid kit should include very clear instructions that people can follow in a crisis.

For example, the American College of Emergency Physicians says some areas have non-emergent transport services for minor injuries. If you’re located in one of them, you may want your staff members to determine when to call this agency and not an ambulance.

Remember that your staff will use these instructions during a crisis, so keep the instructions as simple as possible.

Modifications per Your Worksite

OSHA rules allow employers to enhance the contents of their first aid kits depending on the unique attributes of their worksite. For example, if your staff will experience blood exposure regularly, you should provide PPE (such as gloves, gowns, face shields, and eye protection) to keep them safe. Work with your security officer to examine your risks and change your setups accordingly.

Where Should Your First Aid Kit be Located?

Most employers keep their first aid kits in break rooms, hallways, and supervisors' offices. This keeps critical tools within staff's reach when an emergency occurs.

Once you’ve designated good spaces for your kits, create signs for your staff. Tell them where the tools are, so they’ll know where to go when they need help. Regularly update staff members on the locations and contents of your first aid kits.

How Often Should You Refresh Your First Aid Kits?

When an accident happens and your staff dips into the first aid kit, you should be notified with an incident report. That paperwork can trigger a review of the supplies, so you can replace anything that was used.

However, sterile supplies in a first aid kit have a shelf life. That means you may need to replace critical tools and equipment, even when they haven’t been used. The American Red Cross recommends routine kit inspections to keep staff safe. Follow these steps:

  1. Check the container for cracks or rust.

  2. Remove each item and check the expiration date.

  3. Discard anything that’s torn, leaking, stained, or expired.

  4. Clean the inside of the kit.

  5. Replace anything that’s missing or was discarded.

  6. Document your work in a log maintained next to the kit.

Alsco Uniforms First Aid Services

Maintaining a first aid kit takes time and expertise. Let Alsco Uniforms help. We offer first aid cabinets and rental services. For one fixed cost, you’ll ensure your business is in compliance with OSHA and ANSI/ISEA workplace standards. Our grab-and-go modules ensure that staff has everything needed to handle wounds, burns, body fluid cleanup, and resuscitation. Contact us to find out more about how we can help your business stay compliant and safe.

References

1910.266 App A: First Aid Kits (Mandatory). Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Traumatic Occupational Injuries. (July 2022). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Simple Effective Ways to Care for Skin Wounds and Incisions. (October 2019). PRS Global Open.

Scissors: A Potential Source of Nosocomial Infection. (April 2022). Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

Top Work-Related Injury Causes. National Safety Council.

When and When Not to Call an Ambulance. American College of Emergency Physicians.

1910.151 App A: First Aid Kids (Non-Mandatory). Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

First Aid Kits. (April 2023). Texas Department of Insurance.

Is Your First Aid Kit Expired? (June 2024). American Red Cross.

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