Table of contents
Choosing the right first aid kit for your jobsite comes down to understanding crew size, ANSI classifications, and the specific hazards your workers face. This guide breaks down everything you need to match the right first-aid equipment to your operation.
OSHA requirements are important to abide by, and it says that "Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available" to all workers. But what counts as "adequate" for your specific workplace?
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about choosing First Aid Only equipment for your workplace. We'll cover crew size, ANSI classifications, case types, and specific product recommendations that help meet compliance requirements while keeping crews safe.
Step 1: Match the Kit to Your Crew Size
10-Person Kits: Small Crews and Vehicles
10-person kits work for small contractor crews, service trucks, or small shops with just a few employees.
Plastic case options:
- 238-AN: Basic 10-unit ANSI kit in plastic case, good for general contractor work
- 6060: Weatherproof plastic case with 57 pieces, perfect for outdoor storage or truck mounting
- 90754: 10-person bulk plastic kit that's ANSI compliant and includes eyewash
- 91322: 2021 ANSI Class A plastic kit, meets updated standards
Metal case options:
Vehicle-specific:
- 91150: 10-person light-duty vehicle kit designed specifically for trucks and vans
The 6060 is popular for truck mounting because the weatherproof case stands up to temperature changes and moisture. The 91150 works well if you want a kit specifically designed for vehicle storage.
Metal cases like the 90755 or 91323 work better for wall mounting in shops where the kit stays in one place. They're more durable and professional-looking than plastic.
25-Person Kits: Mid-Size Operations
25-person kits suit medium contractor crews, small fabrication shops, or multi-truck operations where several crews work from one location.
Plastic case options:
Contractor-specific:
The contractor-specific kits include supplies chosen specifically for construction and trade work. They emphasize wound care, burn treatment, and supplies useful for manual labor injuries.
The kits with dividers (like the 223-U/FAO and 91326) keep supplies organized so you can find what you need quickly during an emergency.
50-Person Kits: Larger Crews and Facilities
50-person kits work for larger contractor operations, fabrication facilities, or businesses with 20 to 50 employees on-site regularly.
Plastic case options:
Metal and steel case options:
Contractor-specific:
The 90566 stands out for its weatherproof Type 3 rating. This means it handles temperature extremes, moisture, and outdoor storage better than standard plastic cases. It's perfect for construction trailers, outdoor storage, or anywhere the kit faces weather exposure.
The contractor-specific 50-person kits (90671 and 91351) include enhanced supplies for serious injuries common in construction and industrial work.
100-Person Kits and Large Cabinets
Operations with 50+ workers or multi-building facilities need serious first aid capacity. This usually means large refill kits or wall-mounted cabinets rather than portable cases.
Refill kits for large operations:
Wall-mounted cabinets:
Large cabinets make sense for permanent facilities. They hold more supplies, look professional, and make it easy to organize and track inventory.
The "with meds" versions include over-the-counter medications. The "without meds" versions skip medications if you prefer to handle those separately or if your workplace policy prohibits them.
The 91341 is the largest option with 5 shelves. It's designed for industrial facilities, large fabrication shops, or multi-building operations that need substantial first aid capacity in a central location.
Step 2: Choose the Right Case Style
Plastic Cases: Mobile and Cost-Effective
Plastic cases work well for vehicle mounting, portable crews, and environments where the kit moves around.
Advantages:
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- More affordable than metal cases
- Won't rust or corrode
- Work well in humid environments
- Easy to mount in trucks or trailers
Best plastic case kits:
Weatherproof plastic cases like the 6060 and 90566 handle jobsite conditions better. They protect supplies from moisture, dust, and temperature swings that would damage kits in regular plastic cases.
Metal and Steel Cases: Durable and Professional
Metal cases work best for wall mounting in shops, facilities, and anywhere the kit stays in a permanent location.
Advantages:
- More durable than plastic
- Look more professional on facility walls
- Better protection for supplies
- Easier to organize with shelves
- Better for large kits with lots of supplies.
Best metal case kits:
Metal wall cabinets (the 90575, 90576, 91340, 91341 series) provide the best organization for large operations. Multiple shelves let you categorize supplies so workers can find what they need quickly
Fabric Cases: Outdoor and Specialty Use
Some kits come in fabric cases designed for outdoor recreation or specialized use.
Outdoor kits:
These work for outdoor jobsites where workers face insect bites, poison ivy, sun exposure, and outdoor-specific injuries. They're not ANSI-compliant workplace kits, but they're useful supplements for outdoor contractor crews.
Step 3: All-in-One Kits vs. Contractor-Specific Kits
General ANSI Kits
General ANSI kits meet the standard requirements. They include appropriate quantities of bandages, gauze, tape, and basic supplies. They work fine for most applications.
Examples: 238-AN, 6088, 6120, 90567, 91322, 91324, 91332
Contractor-Specific Kits
Contractor kits include extra supplies useful for manual labor and industrial work:
- More heavy-duty bandages for large wounds
- Additional burn care supplies
- Enhanced wound care for deep cuts
- More tape and gauze for serious injuries
- Items specifically chosen for construction injury patterns
25-person contractor kits:
If you run a construction company, metal fabrication shop, or any operation involving heavy equipment, power tools, or significant injury risk, contractor-specific kits make sense. The extra supplies match the types of injuries your crew actually faces.
Don't Forget Refills and Add-On Packs
Why Refills Matter for Compliance
OSHA requires first aid kits to be "adequately stocked." An empty first aid kit equals no first aid kit in OSHA's eyes. Regular inspection and restocking keeps you compliant and ensures supplies are there when needed.
Refill options:
- 90625: 4-shelf Class B+ refill with meds
- 91360: 50-person 2021 ANSI B refill
- 91361: 100-person 2021 ANSI B 3-shelf refill with meds
- First Aid Refill Pack, 95 Pieces: ANSI 2015 Class A+ with bloodborne pathogen (BBP) supplies
Match your refill to your cabinet. The shelf-specific refills (90625, 91361) are designed to restock the corresponding cabinets completely.
Bleeding Control Kits: Critical Add-Ons
Serious bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death in workplace accidents. Bleeding control kits provide tourniquets, compression bandages, and hemostatic agents to stop life-threatening bleeding.
Basic options:
Standard options:
Enhanced options:
Specialized options:
The Texas mandate kit (91159) meets specific requirements that Texas schools must follow. Other states may adopt similar requirements.
The throw bag (91346) works for large facilities or outdoor events where responders need to quickly deploy multiple bleeding control kits to different locations.
Burn Care Supplies
Burns happen frequently on jobsites. Welding, grinding, hot materials, chemicals, and sun exposure all cause burns.
Complete burn kits:
Individual burn dressings:
WaterJel products for serious burns:
- 3630-1-001: 36"x30" WaterJel burn wrap canister
- 7260-1-001: 72"x60" WaterJel fire blanket plus canister
- 9672-1-001: 96"x72" WaterJel heat shield canister
The WaterJel products are for serious burn emergencies. The heat shields protect responders during rescue operations in fire situations. These are specialized items for high-risk industrial facilities.
What Do ANSI A and B Mean for First Aid Kits?
Class A Kits: Basic Coverage
Class A kits include bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, and basic wound care supplies. According to ANSI standards, "Class A kits are intended to provide a basic range of products intended to deal with the most common injuries, such as major wounds, minor wounds (cuts and abrasion), minor burns and eye injuries."
Class A kits work for offices, retail shops, and low-risk environments. They also work for small contractor crews doing light-duty work where serious injuries are unlikely.
Don't confuse "basic" with "useless." Class A kits handle 90% of common workplace injuries. Most jobsite injuries are minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises that Class A supplies can treat.
Class B Kits: Comprehensive Protection
Class B kits include everything in Class A plus supplies for more serious injuries. This means more bandages, larger gauze pads, splints, trauma supplies, and equipment for significant bleeding or serious wounds.
Class B kits are required for higher-risk industries including construction, fabrication, welding, manufacturing, and most trade work. If you're running saws, welders, or heavy equipment, you need Class B coverage.
The "+" Symbol: Medications Included
Some kits show "A+" or "B+" in their classification. The plus sign means the kit includes over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, antacids, and allergy medicine.
OSHA doesn't require medications in first aid kits, but they're useful for treating common workplace complaints like headaches, heartburn, or minor allergic reactions.
2015 vs. 2021 ANSI Standards
ANSI updated their first aid kit standards in 2021. The changes weren't huge, but they refined some requirements and quantities.
Kits marked "2021 ANSI compliant" meet the newest standards. The First Aid Only 913xx series represents their updated product line meeting 2021 requirements.
Older 2015-compliant kits still work and meet OSHA requirements. But when buying new equipment, choose 2021-compliant kits to ensure you have the most current protection.
First Aid Isn't Optional
OSHA requires adequate first aid supplies at every workplace. "Adequate" means supplies appropriate for your crew size, work type, and injury risk level.
Choosing the right first aid setup starts with understanding your needs:
How many workers do you have?
What type of work do they do?
What are the most likely injuries?
Where will the kit be stored?
Do you need specialty items for your specific hazards?
Match those needs to the appropriate ANSI classification, crew size rating, and case type. Add specialty items (bleeding control, burn care, eyewash, biohazard cleanup) based on your specific risks.
Finally, maintain your kits. Check them monthly, replace used supplies, and verify expiration dates. An outdated or empty first aid kit fails when you need it most.
First aid equipment is an investment in your crew's safety and your company's compliance. Take the time to choose the right setup. Your workers and your insurance company will both thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What additional items should I add to my first aid kit for outdoor work?
For outdoor crews, consider adding insect repellent (BugX line), sunscreen (SunX30 line), poison ivy protection (IvyX line), and heat stress kits. These aren't ANSI requirements but prevent problems that cause lost productivity. Heat stress, sunburn, insect bites, and poison ivy make workers miserable and slow down jobs.
Are First Aid Only kits OSHA compliant?
Yes. First Aid Only kits meet OSHA requirements when properly maintained. OSHA doesn't mandate specific first aid kit contents but references ANSI Z308.1 as guidance. First Aid Only's ANSI-compliant kits (both 2015 and 2021 standards) meet these requirements. Choose the appropriate Class (A or B) and crew size for your workplace.
What's a Type 3 weatherproof kit and when do I need one?
Type 3 weatherproof kits like the 90566 handle temperature extremes, moisture, and harsh outdoor conditions. You need one if you store kits in non-climate-controlled trailers, work in extreme heat or cold, or keep kits outdoors. Regular plastic cases degrade in extreme temperatures, causing supplies to fail.
Can I just buy refills instead of a whole new kit?
Yes. First Aid Only offers refill kits that match specific cabinets. The 90625 refills 4-shelf cabinets, 91360 refills 50-person kits, and 91361 refills 100-person cabinets. Match your refill to your cabinet model to ensure you restock with the correct supplies and quantities.
What's the difference between ANSI Class A and Class B first aid kits?
Class A kits handle basic workplace injuries like minor cuts, scrapes, and small burns. Class B kits include everything in Class A plus supplies for more serious injuries including splints, tourniquets, and larger quantities of trauma supplies. Class B kits are required for higher-risk industries like construction, welding, manufacturing, and fabrication.