ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 is the voluntary consensus standard that provides detailed minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits and supplies. This standard is explicitly referenced by OSHA as the primary guidance for compliance with 29 CFR 1910.151(b). The 2021 revision introduced significant updates including the addition of tourniquets and splints to Class B kits, reflecting modern emergency medical best practices.

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 classifies first aid kit containers into four types based on the intended environment. Each type can contain either Class A or Class B supplies — the type designation describes the container, not the contents.

The 2021 revision represents a significant modernization of workplace first aid preparedness:

• Tourniquets: Added to Class B kits for severe bleeding control, reflecting lessons from military medicine and mass casualty events
• Splints: Required in Class B kits for immobilization of fractures and sprains
• Foil Blankets: Now required in both classes for hypothermia prevention
• Increased Quantities: Higher minimums for several items in Class B kits

Most states require first aid kits on school buses. There is no single federal mandate, but state departments of transportation and school district policies reference ANSI Z308.1 as the compliance baseline for kit contents. A compliant kit ensures drivers have the right supplies for the most common injuries on a bus — cuts, scrapes, nosebleeds, and minor burns.

State Requirement Patterns

Requirements vary by state and district, but common patterns include:

• Kit sized for vehicle capacity — 24-unit for standard buses, 16-unit for smaller vehicles and short buses
• Metal or plastic case accepted (some districts specify metal for permanent mount)
• Annual inspection and restocking required
• Must be mounted in an accessible location, not locked in a compartment
• Driver must know kit location and be familiar with basic contents

24-Unit vs 16-Unit Kits

The "24M" designation means a 24-unit kit in a metal case. Contents map to ANSI Z308.1 Class A with quantities scaled for a busload of students. A 16-unit kit covers smaller vehicles — activity buses, short buses, and passenger vans used for school transport. Both sizes follow the same ANSI supply categories (bandages, antiseptic, gloves, etc.) at different quantities.

Metal vs Plastic Case

Metal cases (designated "M") are more durable for permanent bus mounting and meet stricter district specifications. They resist crushing and hold up better in the heat of a parked bus. Plastic cases (designated "P") are lighter, less expensive, and common where district policy allows either type. Both meet ANSI Z308.1 container requirements when properly labeled and resealable.

Logging operations have some of the most specific first aid kit requirements of any industry. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.266 (Logging Operations) requires first aid kits at each work site, and Appendix A specifies minimum contents that go well beyond a standard ANSI Z308.1 Class A kit.

Appendix A Minimum Contents

A 1910.266 Appendix A logging first aid kit builds on ANSI Z308.1 Class B quantities and adds items for the severe trauma risks in forestry work:

• Gauze pads (4" × 4") — at least 6 individually wrapped
• Gauze roller bandages (2" and 4" widths)
• Adhesive bandages — assorted sizes
• Adhesive tape — 2 rolls
• Scissors and tweezers
• Latex or nitrile gloves — 2 pairs minimum
• Elastic wrap bandages
• Triangular bandage — for slings and immobilization
• Survival blanket — for shock and hypothermia in remote locations
• Antiseptic wipes or solution
• Eye wash solution
• CPR breathing barrier

Why Logging Kits Need More

Logging sites are often miles from the nearest hospital. Injuries tend toward severe lacerations, crush injuries, and fractures rather than the minor cuts and scrapes a standard office kit covers. The larger gauze pads, extra roller bandages, and survival blanket reflect the need to stabilize serious wounds and prevent shock while waiting for evacuation — which can take 30 minutes or longer in remote timber operations.

Site Requirements

• Kit must be available at each active work site, not just the base camp
• Stored in a weatherproof container — logging sites are exposed to rain, mud, and temperature extremes
• At least one employee trained in first aid and CPR must be present when the site is more than 3–5 minutes from emergency medical services
• Kit contents must be checked and restocked before each shift

Aviation first aid requirements come from the FAA rather than OSHA, but there is significant overlap with ANSI Z308.1 kit contents. Understanding both standards helps operators select kits that satisfy multiple regulatory frameworks.

FAA 14 CFR Part 91.513 — General Aviation

Part 91.513 requires emergency equipment on all large aircraft (10+ seats) operated under general aviation rules, including private jets and corporate aircraft. The regulation mandates a first aid kit with contents appropriate for the number of passengers. While Part 91 does not prescribe a specific contents list as detailed as Part 135, operators must carry adequate supplies for in-flight medical events.

FAA 14 CFR Part 135.177 — Charter & Air Taxi

Part 135.177 applies to charter, air taxi, and commuter operations and specifies a detailed first aid kit contents list. The FAA list includes items not found in ANSI Z308.1 — oropharyngeal airways, blood pressure cuffs, and stethoscopes — but an ANSI Z308.1 Class A kit covers most of the bandaging, antiseptic, and wound care items the FAA requires. Many charter operators start with an ANSI-compliant kit and supplement it with the FAA-specific medical instruments.

Aerospace Manufacturing Facilities

Aerospace manufacturing — including composite layup shops, paint booths, and chemical processing areas — falls under OSHA 1910.151 rather than FAA regulations. These facilities need ANSI Z308.1 kits supplemented with burn treatment supplies and chemical splash first aid (eye wash stations, neutralizing agents) appropriate for the specific hazards present. Composite dust, resin sensitizers, and paint solvents create exposure risks that go beyond standard first aid kit contents.

First aid kit requirements vary significantly across transport industries. Each mode of transportation has its own governing body and regulatory framework, though ANSI Z308.1 serves as the baseline standard for most ground-based operations.