English
Español
Construction Site First Aid Kit Requirements
Updated July 2026
A well-stocked and accessible first aid kit is an essential part of every construction site safety plan. However, there is no single kit size, employee count, ANSI class, or container type that automatically fits every jobsite.
Federal OSHA requires construction employers to plan for prompt medical attention, provide easily accessible first aid supplies, protect those supplies in a weatherproof container, and inspect the kit before it is sent to a job and at least weekly while it is on the job. The contents, quantity, location, and number of kits should be selected for the crew size, work areas, hazards, and expected injuries.
Need help selecting a kit, cabinet, eyewash product, or refill supplies? Contact TPR Industrial and we will help you compare practical options for your workplace.
This article provides general safety information and is not legal advice. Always review the current OSHA regulations, applicable state-plan requirements, project specifications, and your company safety program.
What Does OSHA Require for Construction First Aid?
The main federal construction requirements are found in 29 CFR 1926.50, Medical Services and First Aid.
For construction employers, the standard includes several important responsibilities:
- Arrange for prompt medical attention before work begins.
- Have a properly trained first aid provider available when a clinic, hospital, physician, or infirmary is not reasonably accessible to the worksite.
- Keep first aid supplies easily accessible when they are needed.
- Store kit contents in a weatherproof container with individually sealed packages for each type of item.
- Check the kit before it is sent to each job and at least weekly while it is on the job.
- Replace supplies that have been used, damaged, contaminated, or are no longer serviceable.
- Provide transportation or an effective communication system for contacting emergency medical services.
- Post emergency contact or site-location information when required.
- Provide suitable emergency flushing or drenching facilities where workers may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.
OSHA does not say that every construction site must use one specific prepacked kit. The goal is to make sure appropriate supplies are available, protected, maintained, and close enough to be used promptly.
Does OSHA Require a Class B, Type IV First Aid Kit?
No. Federal OSHA does not universally require every construction site to use a Class B, Type IV first aid kit.
A Class B kit and a rugged Type IV container may be an excellent choice for many construction environments, but that selection should be based on a jobsite hazard assessment rather than treated as an automatic legal requirement.
OSHA's non-mandatory Appendix A to 1926.50 explains that a generic kit may be adequate for a small worksite. Larger operations, multiple work areas, remote sites, or workplaces with unique hazards may need additional kits, different supplies, or larger quantities.
Useful factors to consider include:
- Number of employees and subcontractors on site
- Size, layout, floors, buildings, and distance between work areas
- Work performed and tools, machinery, chemicals, or energized equipment involved
- History of injuries and near misses
- Distance and response time to emergency medical care
- Whether crews work from vehicles, remote locations, or changing work zones
- Potential exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials
Understanding ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 is the current voluntary industry consensus standard for workplace first aid kits and supplies. It provides a useful framework for selecting minimum kit contents and a suitable container.
The ANSI/ISEA system separates first aid kits into two classifications:
- Class A: Intended to address common workplace injuries in environments where the expected hazards are generally less complex.
- Class B: Provides a broader assortment and greater quantities for workplaces with more complex or higher-hazard operations.
Many construction employers select a Class B kit because the work may involve power tools, sharp materials, heavy equipment, hot work, electrical hazards, chemicals, falls, or remote locations. That does not mean every project automatically requires Class B. The employer should evaluate the actual hazards and choose the appropriate minimum fill.
ANSI/ISEA also classifies kit containers based on factors such as portability, whether the case can be mounted, and its resistance to water, corrosion, and impact. A rugged container may be appropriate for outdoor work, service vehicles, mobile crews, and demanding jobsites.
Class A vs. Class B First Aid Kits
When a Class A Kit May Be Appropriate
A Class A kit may be suitable for lower-hazard offices, administrative areas, light-duty facilities, or other work areas where the anticipated injuries are generally minor and emergency services are readily available.
When a Class B Kit May Be Appropriate
A Class B kit may be the better starting point for construction, manufacturing, utility, maintenance, fabrication, warehouse, and other environments where injuries could be more varied or severe.
Class B kits generally provide a wider range and larger quantity of items for wound care, burns, eye injuries, bleeding control, immobilization, and responder protection. Employers should verify the exact contents and quantities against the current standard, the manufacturer's labeling, and the results of their workplace hazard assessment.
Choosing the Right First Aid Kit Container
The contents of the kit matter, but so does the container. A case that works in a clean office may not provide enough protection for an outdoor construction site or work truck.
Consider the following:
- Indoor or outdoor use: Will the kit be exposed to rain, dust, mud, humidity, or temperature changes?
- Portable or stationary: Will it remain in a trailer or cabinet, or move with the crew?
- Impact exposure: Could the case be dropped, struck, or stored with tools and equipment?
- Mounting: Would a wall-mounted cabinet improve visibility and access?
- Corrosion resistance: Will the kit be used around moisture, chemicals, or harsh environments?
- Organization: Can employees quickly identify supplies and see what needs to be restocked?
For a rugged outdoor jobsite, a weather-resistant portable case may be a smart choice. For a large shop, warehouse, or site trailer, a clearly marked wall-mounted cabinet may provide better organization and faster access. Some workplaces benefit from using both.
How Many First Aid Kits Does a Construction Site Need?
Federal OSHA does not establish a universal rule requiring one kit for every 25 employees.
The correct number depends on whether supplies are easily accessible to workers throughout the site. One central cabinet may not be enough for a large, multi-floor, multi-building, or spread-out project. Additional kits may also be needed for separate crews, vehicles, remote work areas, night shifts, or operations separated by locked doors or controlled access.
When deciding how many kits to provide, ask:
- Can every crew reach first aid supplies quickly?
- Are workers spread across multiple floors, structures, or work zones?
- Could normal site conditions block access to the main kit?
- Will a kit travel with mobile or remote crews?
- Are enough supplies available for the number of workers and foreseeable injuries?
What Should Be in a Construction First Aid Kit?
The exact contents should reflect the work being performed. Depending on the hazard assessment, workplace kits may include categories such as:
- Adhesive bandages and wound closures
- Sterile gauze pads, dressings, and roller bandages
- Trauma dressings and bleeding-control supplies
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic products
- Burn treatment supplies
- Cold packs
- Eye pads and emergency eye-care products
- Medical exam gloves and other responder PPE
- CPR barrier devices
- Scissors, tweezers, splints, and triangular bandages
- A first aid guide
Do not rely only on a generic checklist. Review the site's hazards and previous incidents, then add supplies that address reasonably anticipated injuries. High-risk operations may also benefit from a separately identified bleeding-control kit and employees trained to use it.
First Aid Kit Inspection and Restocking
Construction first aid kits should not be installed and forgotten. OSHA requires the employer to inspect the kit before it is sent to a job and at least weekly while it is on the job.
A practical inspection should confirm that:
- The kit is in its designated location and can be reached easily.
- The case, seals, hinges, handle, and mounting hardware are in good condition.
- Used or missing supplies have been replaced.
- Packages are sealed, clean, and undamaged.
- Products with expiration dates are still within their usable period.
- Instructions and supply labels are readable.
- The inventory still matches the site's current hazards and crew size.
Assigning a specific employee or safety representative to document inspections can help prevent empty compartments and expired supplies from being discovered during an emergency.
First Aid Training and Emergency Planning
A first aid kit is only one part of the site's emergency response plan. Under OSHA 1926.50, a person with verifiable first aid training must be available when professional medical care is not reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance.
Construction employers should also plan how workers will summon help and how responders will locate the site. Review:
- Who is trained to provide first aid and CPR
- How employees contact emergency medical services
- Whether the site's address, gate, access point, latitude and longitude, or other location information is posted
- Who meets and directs emergency responders
- How an injured employee will be transported when necessary
- How employees report that supplies were used
Eyewash Bottles vs. Emergency Flushing Facilities
Portable eyewash bottles and wall stations can be valuable for immediate response to dust, debris, and other eye irritants. They can also provide supplemental flushing while a worker moves to a primary eyewash location or receives medical attention.
However, employers should not automatically assume that a small bottled eyewash product satisfies OSHA's requirement for suitable quick drenching or flushing facilities where workers may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. The required equipment must be selected for the actual chemical exposure and located within the work area for immediate emergency use.
Shop First Aid Supplies at TPR Industrial
TPR Industrial offers first aid kits, wall-mounted cabinets, refill supplies, eyewash products, bleeding-control kits, and other workplace emergency products for construction and industrial crews.
- Shop All First Aid Supplies
- 25-Person Industrial First Aid Kit
- 50-Person ANSI First Aid Kit
- 4-Shelf Industrial First Aid Station
- Eyewash Wall Station
Not sure which kit or cabinet fits your crew? Contact TPR Industrial or call 503-353-7676. We can help you compare case styles, crew capacities, refill options, and jobsite placement.
Construction First Aid Kit FAQs
Does every construction site need a Class B, Type IV kit?
No. OSHA does not universally mandate that specific combination. A Class B kit and rugged container may be appropriate for many construction sites, but the employer should select the kit based on the worksite hazard assessment.
How many first aid kits are required?
There is no universal federal OSHA ratio of one kit per 25 employees. Employers should provide enough kits, supplies, and locations to keep first aid easily accessible for the crew size, jobsite layout, and hazards.
How often should a construction first aid kit be checked?
OSHA requires the kit to be checked before it is sent to each job and at least weekly while it is on the job. It should also be checked after supplies are used or site conditions change.
Can a construction first aid kit be locked?
The supplies must be easily accessible when required. A lock, key-control process, or restricted location should not delay access during an emergency.
Does an ANSI kit automatically make a site OSHA compliant?
No single product guarantees total OSHA compliance. An ANSI/ISEA kit can provide a recognized minimum framework, but employers must also consider accessibility, quantity, inspection, training, emergency communication, site-specific hazards, and any additional regulatory or project requirements.
Do first aid supplies expire?
Some products have expiration dates or can become unusable when packaging is damaged, wet, contaminated, or exposed to harsh conditions. Inspect the manufacturer's labels and replace products as needed.
Is a bottled eyewash station enough for corrosive chemicals?
Not necessarily. Bottled eyewash can be useful supplemental equipment, but corrosive exposure may require a suitable emergency flushing or drenching facility selected for the hazard and available within the work area.
Construction Site First Aid Kit Requirements
Updated July 2026
A well-stocked and accessible first aid kit is an essential part of every construction site safety plan. However, there is no single kit size, employee count, ANSI class, or container type that automatically fits every jobsite.
Federal OSHA requires construction employers to plan for prompt medical attention, provide easily accessible first aid supplies, protect those supplies in a weatherproof container, and inspect the kit before it is sent to a job and at least weekly while it is on the job. The contents, quantity, location, and number of kits should be selected for the crew size, work areas, hazards, and expected injuries.
Need help selecting a kit, cabinet, eyewash product, or refill supplies? Contact TPR Industrial and we will help you compare practical options for your workplace.
This article provides general safety information and is not legal advice. Always review the current OSHA regulations, applicable state-plan requirements, project specifications, and your company safety program.
What Does OSHA Require for Construction First Aid?
The main federal construction requirements are found in 29 CFR 1926.50, Medical Services and First Aid.
For construction employers, the standard includes several important responsibilities:
- Arrange for prompt medical attention before work begins.
- Have a properly trained first aid provider available when a clinic, hospital, physician, or infirmary is not reasonably accessible to the worksite.
- Keep first aid supplies easily accessible when they are needed.
- Store kit contents in a weatherproof container with individually sealed packages for each type of item.
- Check the kit before it is sent to each job and at least weekly while it is on the job.
- Replace supplies that have been used, damaged, contaminated, or are no longer serviceable.
- Provide transportation or an effective communication system for contacting emergency medical services.
- Post emergency contact or site-location information when required.
- Provide suitable emergency flushing or drenching facilities where workers may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.
OSHA does not say that every construction site must use one specific prepacked kit. The goal is to make sure appropriate supplies are available, protected, maintained, and close enough to be used promptly.
Does OSHA Require a Class B, Type IV First Aid Kit?
No. Federal OSHA does not universally require every construction site to use a Class B, Type IV first aid kit.
A Class B kit and a rugged Type IV container may be an excellent choice for many construction environments, but that selection should be based on a jobsite hazard assessment rather than treated as an automatic legal requirement.
OSHA's non-mandatory Appendix A to 1926.50 explains that a generic kit may be adequate for a small worksite. Larger operations, multiple work areas, remote sites, or workplaces with unique hazards may need additional kits, different supplies, or larger quantities.
Useful factors to consider include:
- Number of employees and subcontractors on site
- Size, layout, floors, buildings, and distance between work areas
- Work performed and tools, machinery, chemicals, or energized equipment involved
- History of injuries and near misses
- Distance and response time to emergency medical care
- Whether crews work from vehicles, remote locations, or changing work zones
- Potential exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials
Understanding ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 is the current voluntary industry consensus standard for workplace first aid kits and supplies. It provides a useful framework for selecting minimum kit contents and a suitable container.
The ANSI/ISEA system separates first aid kits into two classifications:
- Class A: Intended to address common workplace injuries in environments where the expected hazards are generally less complex.
- Class B: Provides a broader assortment and greater quantities for workplaces with more complex or higher-hazard operations.
Many construction employers select a Class B kit because the work may involve power tools, sharp materials, heavy equipment, hot work, electrical hazards, chemicals, falls, or remote locations. That does not mean every project automatically requires Class B. The employer should evaluate the actual hazards and choose the appropriate minimum fill.
ANSI/ISEA also classifies kit containers based on factors such as portability, whether the case can be mounted, and its resistance to water, corrosion, and impact. A rugged container may be appropriate for outdoor work, service vehicles, mobile crews, and demanding jobsites.
Class A vs. Class B First Aid Kits
When a Class A Kit May Be Appropriate
A Class A kit may be suitable for lower-hazard offices, administrative areas, light-duty facilities, or other work areas where the anticipated injuries are generally minor and emergency services are readily available.
When a Class B Kit May Be Appropriate
A Class B kit may be the better starting point for construction, manufacturing, utility, maintenance, fabrication, warehouse, and other environments where injuries could be more varied or severe.
Class B kits generally provide a wider range and larger quantity of items for wound care, burns, eye injuries, bleeding control, immobilization, and responder protection. Employers should verify the exact contents and quantities against the current standard, the manufacturer's labeling, and the results of their workplace hazard assessment.
Choosing the Right First Aid Kit Container
The contents of the kit matter, but so does the container. A case that works in a clean office may not provide enough protection for an outdoor construction site or work truck.
Consider the following:
- Indoor or outdoor use: Will the kit be exposed to rain, dust, mud, humidity, or temperature changes?
- Portable or stationary: Will it remain in a trailer or cabinet, or move with the crew?
- Impact exposure: Could the case be dropped, struck, or stored with tools and equipment?
- Mounting: Would a wall-mounted cabinet improve visibility and access?
- Corrosion resistance: Will the kit be used around moisture, chemicals, or harsh environments?
- Organization: Can employees quickly identify supplies and see what needs to be restocked?
For a rugged outdoor jobsite, a weather-resistant portable case may be a smart choice. For a large shop, warehouse, or site trailer, a clearly marked wall-mounted cabinet may provide better organization and faster access. Some workplaces benefit from using both.
How Many First Aid Kits Does a Construction Site Need?
Federal OSHA does not establish a universal rule requiring one kit for every 25 employees.
The correct number depends on whether supplies are easily accessible to workers throughout the site. One central cabinet may not be enough for a large, multi-floor, multi-building, or spread-out project. Additional kits may also be needed for separate crews, vehicles, remote work areas, night shifts, or operations separated by locked doors or controlled access.
When deciding how many kits to provide, ask:
- Can every crew reach first aid supplies quickly?
- Are workers spread across multiple floors, structures, or work zones?
- Could normal site conditions block access to the main kit?
- Will a kit travel with mobile or remote crews?
- Are enough supplies available for the number of workers and foreseeable injuries?
What Should Be in a Construction First Aid Kit?
The exact contents should reflect the work being performed. Depending on the hazard assessment, workplace kits may include categories such as:
- Adhesive bandages and wound closures
- Sterile gauze pads, dressings, and roller bandages
- Trauma dressings and bleeding-control supplies
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic products
- Burn treatment supplies
- Cold packs
- Eye pads and emergency eye-care products
- Medical exam gloves and other responder PPE
- CPR barrier devices
- Scissors, tweezers, splints, and triangular bandages
- A first aid guide
Do not rely only on a generic checklist. Review the site's hazards and previous incidents, then add supplies that address reasonably anticipated injuries. High-risk operations may also benefit from a separately identified bleeding-control kit and employees trained to use it.
First Aid Kit Inspection and Restocking
Construction first aid kits should not be installed and forgotten. OSHA requires the employer to inspect the kit before it is sent to a job and at least weekly while it is on the job.
A practical inspection should confirm that:
- The kit is in its designated location and can be reached easily.
- The case, seals, hinges, handle, and mounting hardware are in good condition.
- Used or missing supplies have been replaced.
- Packages are sealed, clean, and undamaged.
- Products with expiration dates are still within their usable period.
- Instructions and supply labels are readable.
- The inventory still matches the site's current hazards and crew size.
Assigning a specific employee or safety representative to document inspections can help prevent empty compartments and expired supplies from being discovered during an emergency.
First Aid Training and Emergency Planning
A first aid kit is only one part of the site's emergency response plan. Under OSHA 1926.50, a person with verifiable first aid training must be available when professional medical care is not reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance.
Construction employers should also plan how workers will summon help and how responders will locate the site. Review:
- Who is trained to provide first aid and CPR
- How employees contact emergency medical services
- Whether the site's address, gate, access point, latitude and longitude, or other location information is posted
- Who meets and directs emergency responders
- How an injured employee will be transported when necessary
- How employees report that supplies were used
Eyewash Bottles vs. Emergency Flushing Facilities
Portable eyewash bottles and wall stations can be valuable for immediate response to dust, debris, and other eye irritants. They can also provide supplemental flushing while a worker moves to a primary eyewash location or receives medical attention.
However, employers should not automatically assume that a small bottled eyewash product satisfies OSHA's requirement for suitable quick drenching or flushing facilities where workers may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. The required equipment must be selected for the actual chemical exposure and located within the work area for immediate emergency use.
Shop First Aid Supplies at TPR Industrial
TPR Industrial offers first aid kits, wall-mounted cabinets, refill supplies, eyewash products, bleeding-control kits, and other workplace emergency products for construction and industrial crews.
- Shop All First Aid Supplies
- 25-Person Industrial First Aid Kit
- 50-Person ANSI First Aid Kit
- 4-Shelf Industrial First Aid Station
- Eyewash Wall Station
Not sure which kit or cabinet fits your crew? Contact TPR Industrial or call 503-353-7676. We can help you compare case styles, crew capacities, refill options, and jobsite placement.
Construction First Aid Kit FAQs
Does every construction site need a Class B, Type IV kit?
No. OSHA does not universally mandate that specific combination. A Class B kit and rugged container may be appropriate for many construction sites, but the employer should select the kit based on the worksite hazard assessment.
How many first aid kits are required?
There is no universal federal OSHA ratio of one kit per 25 employees. Employers should provide enough kits, supplies, and locations to keep first aid easily accessible for the crew size, jobsite layout, and hazards.
How often should a construction first aid kit be checked?
OSHA requires the kit to be checked before it is sent to each job and at least weekly while it is on the job. It should also be checked after supplies are used or site conditions change.
Can a construction first aid kit be locked?
The supplies must be easily accessible when required. A lock, key-control process, or restricted location should not delay access during an emergency.
Does an ANSI kit automatically make a site OSHA compliant?
No single product guarantees total OSHA compliance. An ANSI/ISEA kit can provide a recognized minimum framework, but employers must also consider accessibility, quantity, inspection, training, emergency communication, site-specific hazards, and any additional regulatory or project requirements.
Do first aid supplies expire?
Some products have expiration dates or can become unusable when packaging is damaged, wet, contaminated, or exposed to harsh conditions. Inspect the manufacturer's labels and replace products as needed.
Is a bottled eyewash station enough for corrosive chemicals?
Not necessarily. Bottled eyewash can be useful supplemental equipment, but corrosive exposure may require a suitable emergency flushing or drenching facility selected for the hazard and available within the work area.
