OSHA

Chapter

First Aid & Plant

Medical Equipment

OSHA Medical & First Aid Requirements

First aid for employees who become sick or injured on the
job comes under the OSHA regulations in section 1910.151
of Subpart K. Such first aid may consist of attention to simple problems that require no further treatment or emergency help for the severely injured until professional
medical personnel can take over. After evaluating the hazards in the work area, appropriate provisions for onsite care
can be made with the advice of a physician. This section
does not require the more extensive types of facilities that
would be necessary to perform the medical surveillance required by such standards as Air Contaminants or Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.

Requirements from the General Industry

Standards
Medical Services and First Aid (1910.151)
(a) Medical personnel must be readily available for advice
and consultation on plant health.
(b) If there is no nearby infirmary, clinic or hospital for
treating injured employees, one or more people must be
adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid
supplies must be readily available.
(c) If anyones eyes or body may be exposed to injurious
or corrosive materials, provide suitable facilities for quick
drenching or flushing of the eyes and body within the work
area for immediate emergency use.

Appendix A. First Aid Kits.

This nonmandatory appendix references ANSI standard
Z308.1-1978 in an effort to provide information on items
deemed adequate for inclusion in first aid kits.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia

(1910.111)
(b.10.iii) Stationary storage installations must have an
easily accessible shower or a 50-gallon drum of water.
(b.10.iv) A vehicle transporting ammonia must have a
container with at least five gallons of water and must be
equipped with a full facemask.
(Editors note: The Hazardous Waste Operations and
Emergency Response standard (1910.120) includes medical surveillance requirements. For a summary of the standard, please see Chapter 11, Hazardous Materials
Handling, of the Directory.

718

General Requirements for Dipping and Coating

Operations (1910.124)
(f) First aid procedures. Employees must know the first
aid procedures that are appropriate to the dipping and
coating hazards to which they are exposed.
(g.2) Hygiene facilities. An emergency shower and eyewash station must be provided close to the dipping or coating operation. In place of this, a water hose may be
provided that is 4 feet long and at least 3/4 inch thick with a
quick-opening valve and carrying a pressure of 25 pounds
per square inch or less.
(h) Treatment and first aid. When employees work with
liquids that may burn, irritate or otherwise harm the skin,
the employer must provide: (1) a physicians approval before an employee with a sore, burn or other skin lesion that
requires medical treatment works in a vapor area; (2) treatment by a properly designated person of any small abrasion, cut, rash or open sore; (3) appropriate first aid
supplies located near the operation; and (4) periodic examination of exposed body parts, and especially the nostrils,
for employees who work with chromic acid.

Temporary Labor Camps (1910.142)

(k) Maintain and make available adequate first aid facilities approved by a health authority for emergency treatment of injured people. A person trained to administer first
aid must be in charge, and the facilities must be readily accessible at all times.
(l.1) The camp superintendent must report immediately to
the local health officer the name and address of any individual in the camp known or suspected to have a communicable disease.
(l.2) If there is suspected food poisoning or unusual prevalence of any illness in which fever, diarrhea, sore throat,
vomiting or jaundice is a prominent symptom, the superintendent must report it immediately to the health authority
by telephone or telegram.

Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills (1910.261)

(g.5) Sulfur burners. Clothing. In addition to protective
clothing, provide a deluge shower and eye fountain to flush
the skin and eyes of employees working where lime slaking
takes place.
(g.18.i) Quick operating showers, bubblers, etc., must be
available for emergency use for caustic soda burns.

www.safety.ambest.com

(pp) Wherever acids or caustics are used, provide a copious and flowing supply of fresh, clean water.

Logging Operations (1910.266)

Telecommunications (1910.268)
(b.2.i) Facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes
and body must be provided unless storage batteries are of
the enclosed type and equipped with explosion proof
vents. In this case, sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs
can be substituted.
(b.3) Keep first aid supplies recommended by a consulting physician in weather proof containers (unless stored indoors) and readily accessible. Inspect first aid kits at least
once a month and replace expended items.
(o.1.ii) A person with basic first aid training must be available immediately if work being done in a manhole may be
hazardous.

Appendix A. First Aid Kits.

This nonmandatory appendix references ANSI standard
Z308.1-1978 in an effort to provide information on items
deemed adequate for inclusion in first aid kits.

Qualifications of Dive Team (1910.410)

SPECIFIC CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

(a.3) Train all team members in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid (American Red Cross standard course or
equivalent).

Battery Locations and Battery Charging

(1926.441)

Pre-Dive Procedures (1910.421)

(b) A list of telephone numbers must be kept at the dive location that includes: (1) a decompression chamber (if not at
the dive location); (2) accessible hospitals; (3) available
physicians; (4) available means of transportation; and (5)
the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center.
(c.1) An appropriate first aid kit, approved by a physician,
must be available at the dive location.
(c.2) The kit must be suitable for use under hyperbaric
conditions if used in a decompression chamber or bell.
(c.3) First aid supplies at the dive location must include an
American Red Cross standard first-aid handbook or equivalent, and a bag-type manual resuscitator with transparent
mask and tubing.

(a.6) Provide facilities for quick drenching of the eyes and

body within 25 feet of the work area.

Marine Operations and Equipment (1926.605)

(d.1) Provisions for rendering first aid and medical assistance must be in accordance with Subpart D of this part.

Underground Construction (1926.800)

The Construction standards require first aid and medical

care similar to that in the General Industry. For construction,
however, provisions for preplanning emergency arrangements and transportation in case of injury at a worksite
have been added.

(g.5.i) On jobsites where 25 or more employees work

underground at one time, provide or make arrangements
in advance with local units for at least two five-person
rescue teams, one on the jobsite or within 30 minutes
travel time from the entry point, and the other within two
hours travel time.
(g.5.ii) On jobsites where less than 25 employees work
underground at one time, provide or make arrangements in
advance with local units for at least one five-person rescue
team to be either on the jobsite or within 30 minutes travel
time from the entry point.
(g.5.iii) Rescue team members must be qualified in rescue
procedures, including using breathing apparatus and fire
fighting equipment. Members qualifications must be reviewed at least annually.
(g.5.iv) At jobsites where flammable or noxious gases are
encountered, rescue team members must practice donning
and using SCBA monthly.
(g.5.v) Employers must ensure rescue teams are familiar
with conditions at the jobsite.

First Aid and Medical Attention (1926.23)

Compressed Air (1926.803)

Ensure first aid services and provisions for medical care

are available for every employee covered by the regulations
in Subpart D.

(b.7) Provide a fully equipped first aid station at each tunnel project regardless of the number of persons employed.
An ambulance or transportation suitable for litter case must
be at each project.
(b.8) Provide a first aid station and transportation facilities
where tunnels are being excavated from portals more than
five road miles apart.

(Editors note: All of the Air Contaminants standards in

Subpart Z include medical surveillance and medical record
requirements. For summaries of these standards, please
refer to the In Plant Air Monitoring & Analysis section of
the Directory.)

Requirements from the Construction Standards

Medical Services and First Aid (1926.50)

(a) Employers must ensure the availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of occupational health.
(b) Before beginning a project, make provisions for
prompt medical attention in case of serious injury.
(c) Where no infirmary, clinic, hospital or physician is reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance, a person

Power Transmission and Distribution (1926.950)

(e.1) Employers must train or require employees to know:
(i) procedures involving emergency situations; and (ii) first
aid fundamentals including resuscitation.

BESTS SAFETY & SECURITY DIRECTORY 2002

719

OSHA

(d.2.i) Provide first aid kits at each worksite where trees

are being cut, at each active landing and on all employee
transport vehicles. The number of kits and the contents of
each must reflect the degree of isolation, the number of employees and the hazards reasonably anticipated at the
worksite.

with a valid certificate in first aid training must be available

at the worksite. (U.S. Bureau of Mines, the American Red
Cross or equivalent first aid training, provided it can be verified by documentary evidence, is acceptable.)
(d.1) First aid supplies must be easily accessible when
required.
(d.2) The first aid kit must have individually sealed packages for each type of item in a weatherproof container. The
employer must check the kits contents before it is sent out
on each job, and at least weekly on each job, to ensure that
expended items are replaced.
(e) Provide proper equipment for the prompt transport of
an injured person to a physician or hospital, or provide a
communications system for contacting necessary ambulance services.
(f) In areas where 911 is not available, conspicuously post
telephone numbers of physicians, hospitals or ambulances.
(g) Provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body when they may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.

Textiles (1910.262)

OSHA
(e.2) Employers must comply with 1926.50(c) in lieu of (e.1).

Requirements from the Maritime Standards

First Aid (1915.98)
(a) Either have a first aid room with a qualified attendant
close at hand to give first aid treatment or a first aid kit for
each vessel being worked on (only one kit is required for
work on more than one small vessel at one pier). The kit
must be kept close to the vessel with at least one employee
close at hand qualified to administer first aid.
(b) First aid kits must consist of a weatherproof container with individually sealed packages for each type of
item. Each kit must contain a sufficient quantity of at least
the following:
Gauze roller bandages, 1 inch and 2 inch
Gauze compress bandages, 4 inch
Adhesive bandages, 1 inch
Triangular bandage, 40 inch
Ammonia inhalants and ampules
Antiseptic applicators or swabs
Burn dressing
Eye dressing
Wire or thin board splints
Forceps and tourniquet
(c) Check the contents of the first aid kit before being sent
out on each job and at least weekly on the job to ensure that
expended items are replaced.
(d) For each vessel on which 10 or more employees are
working, provide a Stokes basket stretcher or equivalent,
permanently equipped with bridles for attaching to hoisting
gear. Not more than two stretchers are required at each
jobsite. Provide a blanket or other liner for transferring the
patient to and from the stretcher. Keep stretchers close to
vessels. This paragraph does not apply where available
ambulance services are known to have such stretchers.

First Aid and Lifesaving Facilities (1917.26)

(a) Employees must report every injury, regardless of severity, to the employer.
(b) A first aid kit must be available at the terminal, and at
least one person with a valid first aid certificate must be at
the terminal when work is in progress.
(c) First aid kit. First aid kits must be weatherproof and
contain individually sealed packages for each item that
must be kept sterile. The contents of each kit must be determined by a person certified in first aid and cognizant of
the hazards found in marine cargo handling operations. The
contents must be checked at intervals that allow prompt replacement of expended items.
(d) Stretchers. (1) For each vessel being worked, one
Stokes basket stretcher, or its equivalent, permanently
equipped with bridles for attaching to the hoisting gear,
must be available.
(d.2) Stretchers must be kept close to vessels and positioned to avoid damage.
(d.3) A blanket or other suitable covering must be available.
(d.4) Stretchers must have at least four sets of effective
patient restraints in operable condition.
(d.5) Lifting bridles must be of adequate strength, capable
of lifting 1,000 pounds with a safety factor of five and be

720

maintained in operable condition. Lifting bridles must be

provided for making vertical patient lifts at container berths.
Stretchers for vertical lifts must have foot plates.
(d.6) Stretchers must be maintained in operable condition. Struts and braces must be inspected for damage. Wire
mesh must be secured and have no burrs. Damaged
stretchers must not be used until repaired.
(d.7) Stretchers in permanent locations must be mounted
to prevent damage and protected from the elements if located outdoors. If concealed from view, closures must be
marked to indicate the location of the life saving equipment.
(e) A telephone or other equivalent means of communication must be readily available.
(f) A U.S. Coast Guard approved 30-inch (76.2 cm) life
ring, with at least 90 feet (27.42 m) of line attached, must be
available at readily accessible points at each waterside
work area where the employees work exposes them to the
hazard of drowning. Employees working on any bridge or
structure that leads to a detached vessel berthing installation must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, except where protected by railings, nets or
safety belts and lifelines. A readily available portable or permanent ladder that gives access to the water must also be
provided within 200 feet (61 m) of such work areas.

First Aid and Lifesaving Facilities (1918.97)

(a-d) Same as 1917.26.
(e) Life-rings. (1) Employers must ensure that there is, in
the vicinity of each vessel being worked, at least one U.S.
Coast Guard approved 30-inch (76.2 cm) life-ring with no
less than 90 feet (27.4 m) of line attached, and at least one
portable or permanent ladder that will reach from the top of
the apron to the surface of the water.
(e.2) In addition, when working a barge, scow, raft, lighter,
log boom or carfloat alongside a ship, a U.S. Coast Guard
approved 30-inch (76.2 cm) life-ring, with no less than 90
feet (27.4 m) of line, must be provided either on the floating
unit itself or aboard the ship in the immediate vicinity of
each floating unit being worked.
(f) Same as 1917.26(e).
SPECIFIC MARITIME REQUIREMENTS

Fumigants, Pesticides, Insecticides and

Hazardous Preservatives (1917.25)
(f) Where fumigants, pesticides, insecticides or hazardous preservatives have created a hazardous atmosphere,
instructions for the emergency treatment of employees affected by any chemical in use must be available and
posted.

Other Protective Measures (1917.95)

(c) Provide emergency bathing, eyewashing or other facilities where employees are exposed to hazards that require
such facilities. Maintain these facilities in good working order.

Battery Charging and Changing (1917.157)

(i) Provide facilities for flushing the eyes, body and work
area wherever electrolyte is handled. This does not apply
when employees are only checking electrolyte levels or
adding water.

www.safety.ambest.com