First Aid: Restaurants, Burn Injuries, and First Aid
By Mark Conroy
Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not specifically adopt ANSI Z308.1, Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits, the OSHA document Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program refers to ANSI Z308.1
as a specific example of minimal contents of a workplace first aid kit. ANSI Z308.1 first aid kits, therefore, comply with OSHA. Additionally, restaurants should have an adequate supply of articles to administer first aid for burn injuries.
Here is information that can help your customers provide first aid during medical emergencies and comply with OSHA.
There are two first aid kits for commercial kitchens that comply with OSHA regulations and meet ANSI Z308.1. They are intended for 25 or 10 persons. Make sure to match the number of employees to the maximum number that can be supported by
the kits. More than one kit might be needed. The plastic case has a handle for transporting or the kit can be mounted to a wall. Offer to mount first aid kits.
Employees |
P/N |
H x W x D |
OSHA |
ANSI Z308.1 |
25 Person |
FA90589 |
8 x 9 x 2½ |
✓ |
✓ |
10 Person |
FA90754 |
5 x 8 x 3 |
✓ |
✓ |
Although both kits contain burn dressing and burn cream packets, your customers will likely want additional burn injury gels to ease pain, cool the burn, and stop burn progression.
Notes: Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs an area locally. Although Cool Jel contains no lidocaine, it can be used immediately and for prolonged use as a topical cooling
agent to provide continued pain relief to the burn area.
Sterile burn dressings are applied to burn areas to relieve pain, cool the burn, and to provide protection from contaminants. Restaurants should have several sizes available for immediate use for burn injuries.
CFR1910.151(b) In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies
shall be readily available.
Adequate first aid provisions that are readily available are mandated by OSHA. For restaurants, ANSI Z308.1 first aid kits, supplemented with burn injury products, will fulfill those requirements. Providing these products to restaurants will
help assure they are ready for most emergencies that require first aid. These products increase the level of safety because they support immediate aid when injuries occur. Your customers will appreciate being OSHA compliant as they can
avoid costly fines for non-compliance.
Click Here to view a PDF version
Click Here for a copy of the OSHA Best Practices Guide:
Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program
Mark Conroy is an engineer in our Boston, MA office. © 2019 Brooks Equipment
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the above Tech Series article are the author’s only and
provide limited information. Although the information is believed to be reliable, Brooks Equipment
Company, LLC expressly disclaims any warranty with respect to the information and any liability for
errors or omissions. The user of this article or the product(s) is responsible for verifying the
information’s accuracy from all available sources, including the product manufacturer. The authority
having jurisdiction should be contacted for code interpretations.