Standard 1910.151 was created by OSHA as a way to ensure employees have access to basic first aid supplies and required medical help, should they be injured on the job. Basic first aid supplies can help to prevent a minor injury from becoming serious, and a serious injury from become life threatening. And in any medical event, access to help from qualified medical professionals can severely increase an employee’s chance of a full and speedy recovery.

The primary medical response should come from local first responders who can bring an injured person to a local infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace. If there is no readily available infirmary, clinic, or hospital, then a company is required to train an individual who can properly use first aid supplies. Regardless of the need for this individual, a company is always required to have “adequate” first aid supplies readily available, should they be needed.

As with many other OSHA Standards, 1910.151 leaves a lot of room for interpretation. For instance, what constitutes “basic first aid supplies?” And how many of these items would be enough? In order answer these questions properly and to make sure that your business is appropriately up to code, we usually recommend a third party safety audit. With an audit, an auditor can review your current processes and watch your team, to ensure that your process is adequate and your team is properly following it.

For more information on OSHA Standard 1910.151, please contact us. If you have anything to add about medical services and first aid, please leave a comment.