The ANSI Z308.1-2021 standard became effective in October 2022. It sets the current industry guideline for workplace first aid kits.
ANSI Z308.1 is a voluntary consensus standard first published in 1978. Its purpose is simple. It defines the minimum supplies needed to treat the most common workplace injuries and sudden illnesses. The goal is to keep first aid items accessible, organized, and ready for use.
First Aid Kit Classes Explained
The previous revision, ANSI Z308.1-2015, introduced two kit classes.
Class A first aid kits address the most common workplace injuries. These kits are typically used in offices, warehouses, light manufacturing, and general work environments.
Class B first aid kits include a broader range and greater quantity of supplies. These kits support workplaces with higher risk, more complex hazards, or larger employee counts.
OSHA does not mandate a specific first aid kit. However, OSHA references ANSI Z308.1 as the recognized minimum guideline for workplace first aid supplies. Many employers use ANSI compliance to support OSHA inspection readiness. To better understand how OSHA approaches workplace first aid, review OSHA’s role in first aid compliance.
The 2021 revision includes several notable updates:
- A foil blanked is now required in both Class A and Class B kits
- Required Quantities of hand sanitizer increased for both classes
- Class B kits now specify the type of tourniquet required
- Elastic bands used for drawing blood no longer meet the tourniquet requirement
These changes focus on improved response to blood loss, exposure, and environmental conditions.
Making Compliance Easier
To simplify compliance, each line item in our ANSI first aid checklist links directly to the corresponding product on our website. This allows you to build, restock, or update kits without having to cross-reference multiple sources.
Classes of First Aid Kits and Required Supplies
| First Aid Supply | Minimum Quantity | Minimum Size or Volume | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A Kits | Class B Kits | (US) | (metric) | |
| Adhesive Bandage | 16 | 50 | 1 x 3 in. | 2.5 x 7.5 cm |
| Adhesive Tape | 1 | 2 | 2.5 yd (total) | 2.3 m |
| Antibiotic Application | 10 | 25 | 1/57 oz | 0.5 g |
| Antiseptic | 10 | 50 | 1/57 oz | 0.5 g |
| CPR Breathing Barrier | 1 | 1 | ||
| Burn Dressing (gel soaked) | 1 | 2 | 4 x 4 in. | 10 x 10 cm |
| Burn Treatment | 10 | 25 | 1/32 oz | 0.9 g |
| Cold Pack | 1 | 2 | 4 x 5 in. | 10 x 12.5 cm |
| Eye Covering, with means of attachment | 2 | 2 | 2.9 sq. in | 19 sq. cm |
| Eye Wash | 1 fl oz total | 29.6 ml | ||
| 4 fl oz total | 118.3 ml | |||
| First Aid Guide | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Hand Sanitizer | 10 | 20 | 1/32 oz | 0.9 g |
| Medical Exam Gloves | 2 pair | 4 pair | N/A | N/A |
| Roller Bandage | ||||
| 2 inch | 1 | 2 | 2in. x 4yd | 5cm x 3.66m |
| 4 inch | 0 | 1 | 4 in. x 4yd | 10cm x 3.66m |
| Scissors | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Splint | 0 | 1 | 4.0 x 24 in. | 10.2 x 61 cm |
| Sterile Pad | 2 | 4 | 3 x 3in. | 7.5 x 7.5 cm |
| Tourniquet | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Trauma Pad | 2 | 4 | 5 x 9 in. | 12.7 x 22.9 cm |
| Triangular Bandage | 1 | 2 | 40 x 40 x 56 in. | 101 x 101 x 142 cm |
| Foil Blanket | 1 | 1 | 52 x 84in | 132 x 213cm |
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, Class A Kit Label
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, Class A, Type I, II, III or IV First Aid Kit
This kit meets the ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 standard as sold. It contains first aid products that meet performance specifications detailed in the standard at the below required minimum fill. It will continue to be compliant only when maintained with products that meet the standard at specified quantities.
| Required Minimum Fill | Minimum Quantity |
|---|---|
| 16 Adhesive Bandage 1 x 3 in. | 1 Eye/Skin Wash 1 fl oz total |
| 1 Adhesive Tape 2.5 yd (total) | 1 First Aid Guide |
| 10 Antibiotic Application 1/57 oz | 10 Hand Sanitizer 1/32 oz |
| 10 Antiseptic 1/57 oz | 2 pr Medical Exam Gloves |
| 1 CPR Breathing Barrier | 1 Roller Bandage 2 in. x 4 yd |
| 1 Burn Dressing (gel soaked) 4 x 4 in. | 1 Scissors |
| 10 Burn Treatment 1/32 oz | 2 Sterile pad 3 x 3 in. |
| 1 Cold Pack 4 x 5 in. | 2 Trauma pad 5 x 9 in. |
| 2 Eye Covering w/ means of attachment 2.9 sq. in. | 1 Triangular Bandage 40 x 40 x 52 in. |
| 1 Foil Blanket | 52 x 84 in |
The described kit should be considered adequate for a workplace only when a hazard assessment of the work environment has been completed by competent personnel. For a variety of operations, employers may find that additional first aid supplies and kits are needed. Kits should be inspected frequently to ensure the completeness and usability of all first aid supplies. Any supply beyond its marked expiration date should be discarded and replaced.
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, Class B Kit Label
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, Class B, Type I, II, Ill or IV First Aid Kit
This kit meets the ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 standard as sold. It contains first aid products that meet performance specifications detailed in the standard at the below required minimum fill. It will continue to be compliant only when maintained with products that meet the standard at specified quantities.
| Required Minimum Fill | Minimum Quantity |
|---|---|
| 50 Adhesive Bandage 1 x 3 in. | 1 First Aid Guide |
| 2 Adhesive Tape 2.5 yd (total) | 20 Hand Sanitizer 1/32 oz |
| 25 Antibiotic Application 1/57 oz | 4 pr Medical Exam Gloves |
| 50 Antiseptic 1/57 oz | 2 Roller Bandage 2 in. x 4 yd |
| 1 CPR Breathing Barrier | 1 Roller Bandage 4 in. x 4 yd |
| 2 Burn Dressing (gel soaked) 4 x 4 in. | 1 Scissors |
| 25 Burn Treatment)/32 oz. | 1 Splint |
| 2 Cold Pack 4 x 5 in. | 4 Sterile pad 3 x 3 in. |
| 2 Eye Covering w/ means of attachment 2.9 sq. in. | 1 Tourniquet |
| 1 Eye/Skin Wash 4 fl. oz. total | 4 Trauma pad 5 x 9 in. |
| 1 Foil Blanket 52 x 84 in | 2 Triangular Bandage 40 x 40 x 52 in. |
The described kit should be considered adequate for a workplace only when a hazard assessment of the work environment has been completed by competent personnel. For a variety of operations, employers may find that additional first aid supplies and kits are needed. Kits should be inspected frequently to ensure the completeness and usability of all first aid supplies. Any supply beyond its marked expiration date should be discarded and replaced.
First aid kit types did not change in the new standard, and we reproduce the table here for your convenience.
Type I kits are the most common, used indoors and wall mountable.
Type II kits are portable and are most commonly used as first responder kits.
Type III kits are either portable or wall mountable for indoor or outdoor use and must be water-resistant. Type III kits are most commonly mounted or stored in remote locations where they might be exposed to the effects of weather.
Type IV kits cover all kit types that need to be waterproof indoors or outdoors. This would include marine applications, permanent outside locations and for use in automotive vehicles.
Characteristics of Types First Aid Kits
| Type | Use | Portable | Mountable | Water Resistant | Waterproof | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Indoor | X | ||||
| II | Indoor | X | ||||
| III | Indoor/Outdoor | X | X | X | ||
| IV | Indoor/Outdoor | X | X | X | Section 5.2.5 |