It's a fact—accidents will happen. Providing your employees with adequate first aid supplies ensures that you're prepared for minor injuries in the workplace and shows that you're concerned about their well-being and safety.

First aid equipment in the workplace environment, however, may far exceed a small box of adhesive strip bandages and a cold pack. Understand minimum standards and requirements and customize your business first aid kit to suit your particular environment.

Before getting started with your first aid kit it is helpful to first:

1. Calculate the number of employees.
2. Consider potential injuries that may occur in your workplace environment.
3. Determine how many business first aid kits you will need.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Meet or exceed the minimum contents for emergency first aid kits

A large company or a manufacturing environment will certainly call for a different first aid kit than a small office setting. Because workplace environments vary greatly depending on their size, location and degree of hazard, it is important to first review minimum requirements for your particular workplace environment.

I recommend: “OSHA’s Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program” is a good source for reviewing these standards and understanding what first aid supplies are needed, along with OSHA's business first aid kit checklist.

Customize your first aid kits to suit your business's specific needs

After determining your minimum content requirements and assembling a list of core supplies, supplement your first aid equipment with additional supplies that address the specific hazards in your workplace environment. In addition, determine whether you want to store your first aid kit in a plastic, metal or soft-sided bag, or in a wall-mounted cabinet.

I recommend: Providers of first aid kits include First-Aid Supplies Online and First-Aid Product.com. These companies provide wholesale first aid kits and bulk supplies. Wholesale first aid kits are ideal when you're buying multiple first aids kits and supplies.

Consider an automated external defibrillator as part of first aid equipment

Automated external defibrillators are designed for sudden cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation. Defibrillators are widely available and portable, and should be considered a part of any workplace's business first aid kit. Several issues, such as training, periodic review and coordination with local EMS services need to be considered before you purchase an automated external defibrillator.

I recommend: Both The American Heart Association and The American Red Cross provide details on a workplace AED program. American AED supplies defibrillators for your workplace. Also, check out AEDSuperstore, the largest supplier of defibrillators on the Internet.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Periodically check your business first aid kits and reorder supplies as needed.
• •  Keep your first aid kits in a highly visible and easily accessible location.
• •  Consult with your local emergency medical professionals for further guidance on buying AEDs and first aid kits and supplies. You may also be able to purchase your first aid equipment through your local fire department or EMS.