InstituteAnalysisSafety & HealthFirst Aid and MedicalGeneral Industry SafetyEyewashes and ShowersEnglishFirst Aid and MedicalFocus AreaCompliance and Exceptions (Level 2)USA
Who does this apply to?
['First Aid and Medical']
- Employers must ensure that adequate first-aid supplies are readily available, prompt first-aid is administered, and eyewash/body flush facilities are available and readily accessible.
- Employers must ensure that employees are trained in first-aid programs and employees who are expected to provide first aid or medical services must be trained in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) standard.
Employers must:
- Determine the need for first-aid supplies and for medical and first-aid services.
- Ensure that “adequate” first-aid supplies are readily available at the worksite. The first-aid supplies should reflect the kinds of injuries that occur and must be stored in an area where they are readily available for emergency access. Note that some industries have specific requirements for the first-aid kit locations and contents.
- Set up a schedule for checking and replenishing the first-aid kit contents.
- Ensure prompt first-aid treatment for injured employees either by employing a trained first-aid provider at the worksite, or by ensuring that emergency treatment services are within near proximity of the worksite. However, if life-threatening injuries can be reasonably expected, and outside emergency responders are more than 3-4 minutes away, the employer must ensure that trained personnel are available at the workplace. They must also be provided with periodic refresher training.
- If corrosive materials are used, ensure eyewash and body flush facilities are provided.
- Instruct all workers about the first-aid program, including instruction on what workers should do if a coworker is injured or ill. A written program of first-aid policies and procedures ensures all the program elements are implemented.
- Employees who are expected to provide first aid or medical services must be trained per OSHA's BBP standard. NOTE: Good Samaritans are not covered by OSHA’s BBP standard.
- Record all injuries/illnesses that result in medical treatment beyond first aid on the OSHA 300 log(s), (See OSHA’s 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) for a definition of first aid for recordkeeping purposes.)