“Where did all the band-aids go?!” First aid kits often go unnoticed but are always expected to be there when needed. Bandages seem to get used up first, but there might be other supplies disappearing quicker than you think. It’s helpful to put a regular reminder in your calendar to make sure that your first aid kit is adequately filled and ready when you most need it.

Make sure first-aid supplies at your workplace are appropriate for:

• Your occupational setting. Some of you would be OK with an off-the-shelf kit, while the auto group should look at something a bit more robust with items that better fit what might happen at their shop.
• The response time of your emergency medical services. I suggest a larger kit if it would take more than 10 minutes for EMT/EMS to arrive.
• That you have at least one kit per every 15 employees.

Make sure that first-aid supplies are:

• Easily accessible to all your employees.
• Stored in containers that protect them from damage, deterioration, or contamination. Containers must be clearly marked, unlocked, and can be sealed.
• Able to be moved to the location of an injured or acutely ill worker.

Also, remember that if you are over five minutes from EMT/EMS service to your store, you need to have first aid trained personnel on-site when employees are present.

To assist when creating your kit, see the checklist we have for you in the RS Safety Library Forms section. You’ll find the link on the left margin in your browser’s site menu.

Rick Means, Director of Safety and Education, is available to help members draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact Rick at 360-943-9198, Ext. 118 or [email protected].