What Are ANSI Class A First Aid Kits (and Does Your Business Need Them)?

In 2019, there were approximately 2.8 million workplace injuries. There is a median of 8 days of absence due to workplace injuries. Whilst workplace injury statistics are decreasing over time, there are still injuries happening.

Employers have the responsibilities to oversee the health and wellness of their employees. Having well-stocked Class A first aid kits around the workplace is important. Safety should be a priority, along with caring about their wellness.

ANSI Class A First Aid Kits – What Are They?

ANSI stands for The American National Standards Institute. Overseeing the promotion, creation, and use of standards. They cover businesses in nearly all sectors from agriculture and construction.

The ANSI created a document outlining the items you need in first aid kits and also graded them as Class A and Class B.

Class A first aid kits are designed for your most common workplace injuries. Places like offices, stores, and warehouses.

Class B first aid kits are designed for more high-risk or complex workplaces. Factories, plants, and construction for example. Having ANSI first aid kits is going to help you in the long run with accidents and injuries.

There are 5 major areas of trauma:

Major Injury and Major Traumas

When it comes to injuries, you need to be ready for anything. A well-stocked first aid kit will see you through any event. This includes major injuries and traumas.

Having the essentials like gauze, bandages and antiseptics will help with any situation.

Minor Injuries

These are your minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. They can usually be resolved without medical intervention.

You can include antiseptic sprays and bandages to clean and cover the injury.

Eyecare

There are many injuries that can happen to the eye, ranging from chemicals in the eye to a scratch.

Eyewash stations are popular right now. Especially if there are chemicals around the workplace. Eye pads and eyewash solutions will help when something is in the eye area.

Employee Essentials

Keep your employees comfortable and minimize the need to leave the workplace. Having items such as allergy and headache relief will benefit the employees.

Minor issues such as colds, heartburn, and minor aches and pains can be resolved in the workplace. You also have fewer absences with everything on hand.

Burn Care

Burns can happen almost anywhere, so having a kit ready for a burn is required. Burn creams and hydrogels can really help minor burns at work.

Stock The Essentials

As well as the above, there are many more items to be included in the class A first aid kit.

More important essentials to include are:

• First aid guide
• Gloves
• Hand sanitizer
• Antibiotic ointments
• Wound wash
• Alcohol wipes

There are other things to consider like keeping a first aid book in which you record all the incidents. Keeping records and having a first aid kit can be mandatory. These are legal requirements in the workplace.

If you have less than 10 employees, then you do not need to keep a record of incidents. However, if there are 10 or more, then you need to record every event. Unless you work in a hazardous industry or with chemicals, you must keep a record no matter the number.

It’s just good business etiquette to keep a record of accidents and incidents.

Does Your Business Need First Aid Kits?

Every business should consider first aid kits for a workplace for the welfare of their employees and contractors.

From dressings to analgesics, you can help the general well-being of your employees. There will also be fewer needs for them to leave the workplace during their working hours.

Leaving the office will be a less common occurrence if you stock the general items. These can be:

• Analgesics (Headaches, minor aches, and pains)
• Antihistamines (Hayfever or minor reactions)
• Adhesive bandages and antiseptic items (Cuts, scrapes, and minor burns)
• Antacids
• Bandages and gauzes

You are showing you have the welfare of your employees in mind with a well-stocked first aid cabinet. Tracking the use of the first aid kit refills will show you are taking an interest in your employees’ safety.

Reasons to Record Incidents

Record keeping of incidents is a good way to see any common occurrences. Are there particular situations that are causing injuries?

You will be able to see if a piece of equipment is causing harm. For example, a broken printer jamming and catching the hands of those trying to repair it. This may prompt you to bring in a professional to look at it.

It may be a particular employee seems to suffer from an issue frequently. This can prompt you to mention seeing a medical professional.

This is a good way to make sure everything within the business is running smoothly. Including the procedures for health and safety. A very important aspect.

You can also keep an eye on the stock levels and know when you need to get refills for first aid kits. If you create custom first aid kits, you can make sure that items are not going missing too much. For example analgesics.

How Should You Store Your First Aid Kit?

Having your first aid kit easily accessible is going to be key here. You want it somewhere you have easy access to.

A large cabinet with easy access is the most popular option. Have a location for the report book and also an inventory list. The list can be applied to the inside of the cabinet door.

Keep the area tidy and clean. Everything is sterile here, so you don’t want it covered in dust or dirt. Clean at least once a week and ensure everything is accounted for at the end of the week.

Stock up as soon as you start using items. An inventory is handy to keep an eye on what has been used. Also, keep track of giving out medications in an incident record book.

Where to Buy First Aid Kits

There are many options available when it comes to purchasing a class A first aid kit. You can buy first aid supplies separately. The other alternative is to buy the first aid kit already made up.

Buying a ready-made first aid kit is the easier option. It will have everything available and easier to check on the stock levels of your first aid kid. There are many class A first aid kits to choose from.

You can find first aid kits for a workplace by checking out our products and services.