First aid kits are a fundamental component of emergency preparedness, providing essential supplies for the initial treatment of injuries and illnesses until professional medical care becomes available. To help employers respond to “emerging workplace needs,” the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) recently published an updated edition of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ISEA Z308.1-2026, Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies. Although voluntary, the standard is widely recognized as the benchmark for the selection, contents, classification, and maintenance of workplace first aid kits.
When Are First Aid Kits Required in the Workplace?
Before discussing the revisions, it is important to understand OSHA’s requirements regarding first aid.
Under OSHA’s Medical Services and First Aid Standard [29 CFR 1910.151(b)], when a clinic, hospital, or infirmary is not in near proximity, employers must ensure that one or more employees are trained to render first aid and that adequate first aid supplies are readily available in the workplace. In a letter of interpretation, OSHA clarifies the term near proximity to mean that emergency care generally must be available within no more than three to four minutes.
Appendix A to the Standard provides non-mandatory recommendations for first aid kit contents and references ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 as guidance. ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026 provides current guidance for the selection, contents, and maintenance of workplace first aid kits.
What Are the Key Updates to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026?
The standard retains the Class A and Class B kit designations established in 2015, while addressing emerging needs across traditional, mobile, and remote work environments. The 2026 revision introduces several noteworthy changes and clarifications, including the following:
- New Bilingual First Aid Guide Requirement: First aid guides, which are required components of kits conforming to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026, must now be printed in both English and Spanish. They provide instructions for delivering immediate care to injured or ill individuals until emergency responders arrive. This revision recognizes workforce diversity and varying levels of English proficiency.
- Additional Considerations for Mobile and Remote Workers: The updated standard addresses the growing number of employees working away from traditional fixed facilities and the importance of maintaining access to first aid supplies. The new guidance covers hazard assessments for mobile and remote workers as well as recommendations for first aid kit location, accessibility, contents, and routine inspections.
- Clarified Tourniquet Requirements: The revised standard provides additional detail regarding tourniquets. Specifically, it distinguishes properly designed arterial tourniquets from elastic constriction bands commonly used during blood drawing, which are not intended to control life-threatening bleeding. The 2026 standard also establishes performance and packaging requirements for arterial tourniquets.
- Expanded Focus on Training: A well-stocked first aid kit is only effective if employees know how to use it. The 2026 revision places greater emphasis on training and emergency preparedness, stating that employees should be trained to administer emergency first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and when needed, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each workplace should have trained personnel available on every shift, with additional trained individuals in higher-risk environments.
- Naloxone Added as a Recommended Supplemental Supply: Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, is now recommended as an optional first aid supply. Employers are encouraged to evaluate whether naloxone should be maintained in or near first aid kits based on their workplace hazards and risk assessment. The standard recommends making at least two doses of naloxone nasal spray available in a clearly identified location. The addition of naloxone also aligns with OSHA’s recently released fact sheet, Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications, which provides guidance to help employers prepare for opioid-related emergencies.
- New Guidance on Supplemental Anti-Choking Devices: The 2026 edition also introduces recommendations on anti-choking devices for emergencies in which standard choking response protocols are ineffective or cannot be performed. Although these devices are not required first aid kit components, employers may consider providing them based on workplace hazards and workforce needs.
Final Thoughts
Although many of the foundational requirements remain unchanged, the release of ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026 provides an ideal opportunity for organizations to review and strengthen their first aid and emergency response programs. Recommended actions include reviewing existing first aid kits for alignment with the updated standard, evaluating the need for naloxone and overdose response procedures, and assessing whether anti-choking devices are needed. In addition, employers should consider the unique requirements of mobile and remote workers and determine appropriate employee training needs, such as first aid, CPR, and AED use.
Safety Partners can help your organization assess workplace hazards, evaluate first aid and emergency response needs, and implement programs that align with the current ANSI standard, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices. Contact us to learn more.
