The 5 Best OSHA Approved First Aid Kits for Construction (2024)

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Jobsite safety is of the utmost importance to avoid worker injury and steep OSHA penalties & fines. Just one slip-up has the potential to wreak havoc on a project. In the event that an accident does occur – and they will – it’s important to have an OSHA approved first aid kit on site to comply with a potential inspection. In this guide, we share our Top 5 picks for the best OSHA approved first aid kit and the minimum requirements for first aid kits in the workplace.

Before we go over the minimum requirements, let’s take a brief look at the OSHA standard that covers first aid kits. OSHA Standard 1910.266 App A lays out the requirements for small worksites with two to three employees. An easy way to calculate a compliant first aid kit for larger sites is to calculate the max number of workers on-site at any given time and divide that number by 2.5. Once you have that number, multiple it by the minimum requirements listed below.

To make things easier, you’ll see that the kits in the Top 5 chart below are made for a max number of people in accordance with OSHA and ANSI standards.

Minimum Requirements for First Aid Kits in the Workplace

The list below is taken directly from OSHA Standard 1910.266:

• Gauze Pads minimum 4″ x 4″
• A minimum of two large 8″ x 10″ gauze pads
• 1 box of standard band-aids
• 1 roll of gauze at least 2″ wide
• 2 triangular bandages
• Wound cleaning agents such as moist towelettes
• Scissors
• Adhesive Tape
• Latex Gloves
• Tweezers
• 1 blanket minimum
• Resuscitation equipment
• 2 elastic wraps such as Ace bandage
• 1 splint minimum
• Directions for contacting and requesting emergency assistance

As you can see, the assortment of first aid gear is fairly standard and not as complicated as you might have thought. Also, we recommend using the link above to readStandard 1910.266 App A for yourself (don’t worry, it’s short).

Additionally, since ANSI and OSHA often go hand in hand, we recommend going over ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015 that covers Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies. You’ll find that there’s a lot of overlap between the OSHA and ANSI Standards.

Use this link to see a list of items ANSI requires in the Table of Contents. A couple of items not covered in the OSHA standard are eye/skin wash, a tourniquet, and hand sanitizer.

Top 5 ANSI & OSHA Approved First Aid Kits

See Also

First aid requirements at construction siteBasic First Aid Requirements at a Construction SiteConstruction Safety: Creating Jobsite Specific First Aid ProgramsComprehensive Guide to Emergency First Aid for Construction Workers - Metro Safety Training - First Aid Training

Best OSHA Approved First Aid Kit Reviews

Now that you’ve had the chance to get a glimpse of the top kits available, let’s take a closer look at each kit to help you decide which kit matches your needs.

#1) Rapid Care First Aid 3-Shelf All-Purpose First Aid Cabinet

Of the brands in this guide, Rapid Care and First Aid Only are the top professional-grade options for medium to large job sites. Even contractors overseeing smaller projects may prefer a larger 3-shelf cabinet for long-term use. The first advantage of this kit is its versatility as a wall-hung or portable kit.

For larger sites with people coming and going, it’s a good idea to hang the kit in a place where workers can easily access it. Rapid Care’s moisture-resistant steel case is tough enough to hold up in high-traffic areas and take a bit of a beating when transported from site to site.

Lastly, this kit is packed to the brim with supplies upon arrival. The only worry is that everything arrives in the same spot it was shipped. One final consideration is that this kit is specifically designed to comply with ANSI Z308.1-2009 and “meet or exceed” OSHA standards. However, there are a couple of items I go over in the Bottom Line section below that you may want to consider purchasing separately.

Pros

Cons

#2) Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit

Be Smart Get Prepared sells the best cheap OSHA-approved first aid kit for small jobs and contractors who plan to store the kit in a truck. This type of kit is also great for workers who want to keep their own first aid kit on hand in case of emergency or who require specialty items.

There are several sizes available including 10, 50, and 100-person kits. Your best bet is to stick with the 10 or 50-person kits because the 100-person kit is inferior compared to the steel cabinets in this guide for large sites. The easy-slide latches on all Be Smart kits make it easy to access the items in a hurry and keep the contents secure when not in use.

One thing we like about this kit is the option to use it as a wall-hung cabinet by using the integrated wall bracket. If you decide to mount it, the internal compartments prevent the items from spilling out as you open it. Also, we reviewed the contents of the 50-person kit, and it checks just about all the boxes for ANSI and OSHA Standards.

Pros

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#3) First Aid Only Large Plastic SmartCompliance First Aid Cabinet

The First Aid Only SmartCompliance cabinet is the most premium and professional-grade kit in this guide. For construction managers who oversee large projects or contractors who want a fully-stocked cabinet on-site, this is the first place to look.

First Aid Only designed its SmartCompliance kits to specifically comply with either ANSI or OSHA Standards, which is somewhat of a drawback and advantage rolled into one. For construction managers who are more concerned about complying with OSHA, it’s best to stick with model 1000-FAE-0103. Of the kits in this guide, the SmartCompliance cabinet gives you the best chance of OSHA compliance out of the box.

One feature you’ll find in this kit that really sets it apart is the SmartTab ezRefill System that even features anFAO SatefyHub phone app to ensure you stay compliant. Additionally, the system makes it easy to monitor and restock your supplies.

Pros

Cons

#4) MEDIQUE 4-Shelf First Aid Kit

Another heavy-duty steel first aid cabinet that’s worth a look for construction sites is this one by Medique. This is an extremely well-stocked cabinet that’s very similar to the Rapid Care cabinet. Currently, there are 2, 3, 4, and 5-shelf cabinets available through Medique, which makes this kit an ideal choice for large construction sites.

While Medique does not list a max number of employees per kit, you can be sure that this 900-piece kit is more than ample for 150 employees. What we like about this kit is that the long list of contents makes it a great choice for both ANSI and OSHA compliance.

It includes everything you need including a CPR mask, latex tourniquet, Mediwash eyewash, and several items that aren’t found in most standard first aid kits. One drawback of this kit compared to the First Aid Only kit above is the level of organization. The Medique kit does not offer dispensing boxes like the First Aid Only model above.

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#5) First Aid Only Contractor’s First Aid Kit

The final option is the First Aid Only Contractor’s First Aid Kit. Similar to the SmartCompliance model, there are both OSHA and ANSI-compliant options to choose from. Unlike the SmartCompliance kit, the Contractor’s model features a steel case rather than a plastic one. Additionally, this case is more portable and better-suited for small jobs or to store in a truck.

Model 90670 is rated to serve up to 25 employees and comes with 180 pieces. We inspected the contents list, and this kit does include almost everything you need out of the box, down to the CPR mask. Compared to the Be Smart Get Prepared kit that’s similarly sized, the Contractor’s kit is more professional-grade and heavy-duty. Also, it costs about double at the time of this writing.

Lastly, there’s the option to mount it in a jobsite trailer or other office settings to make it easier for employees to access. The drawback is the design is not as convenient or practical as the SmartCompliance kit.

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

While these are the best OSHA approved first aid kits on the market, it’s important to consider that most kits are made tohelp comply with OSHA and ANSI Standards. For this reason, we recommended reading over the standards we linked to in the introduction.

For example, OSHA Standard 1910.266 App A lists a blanket as an item, and most kits do not include an emergency thermal blanket. In reality, it’s easy to stock a blanket on-site, but these are points you may want to consider to be 100% compliant in case of an OSHA inspection. In the same breath, kindness and respect go a long way when conversing with an OSHA inspector.

Lastly, it’s not just about OSHA and ANSI compliance. It’s also about taking care of your employees and yourself. When your employees see a professional well-stocked kit on-site, they can tell you care about their safety, and these are the little things that count when managing a crew.

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