Do commercial trucks need to be equipped with a first-aid kit?

There are no federal Department of Transportation (DOT) rules requiring first-aid kits in commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Some states, however, do require first-aid kits in certain types of CMVs, but usually only passenger-carrying vehicles or CMVs whose drivers are at high risk for personal injury, such as sanitation trucks.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has jurisdiction over commercial vehicles that are not regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), including trucks under 10,001 pounds and those operated off-highway. OSHA’s requirements for first-aid kits are found in 29 CFR 1910.151(b) and Appendix A to 1910.151. Employers should assess their workplace for reasonably anticipated hazards and have adequate first-aid supplies to respond to those hazards.