OSHA First Aid Requirements & Station Placement
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 mandates first aid for all workplaces. Calculate requirements with our first aid calculator. 67% of woodworking shops lack adequate coverage - proper placement reduces response time 45%.
First Aid Station Requirements by Facility Size
| Shop Size | Employees | Stations Required | Max Travel Distance | Supplies Cost |
|---|
| <2,000 sq ft | 1-5 | 1 portable kit | 100 ft | $150-250 |
| 2,000-5,000 | 6-15 | 1 wall station | 150 ft | $300-500 |
| 5,000-10,000 | 16-30 | 2 stations | 200 ft | $600-900 |
| 10,000-20,000 | 31-75 | 3-4 stations | 200 ft | $1,200-1,800 |
| >20,000 | 76+ | 1 per 5,000 sq ft | 200 ft max | $2,000+ |
Pro Tips: First Aid Station Optimization
- 3-Minute Rule: Every worker should reach first aid within 3 minutes (200 ft walking) - critical for bleeding control
- High-Risk Proximity: Place stations within 50 ft of table saws, jointers - 78% of severe injuries occur at these tools
- Clear Signage: Green cross signs visible from 50+ ft - ISO 7010 compliant reduces response time 35%
- AED Requirements: Facilities >50 workers or >10 min EMS response need AED - cardiac events 12% of shop emergencies
- Monthly Inspections: Check expiration dates, restock used items - 45% of kits have expired supplies in audit
Emergency Response & Medical Supply Standards
Type A (minor injuries) vs Type B (severe trauma) kits determined by risk assessment. ANSI Z308.1-2021 sets minimum contents. Calculate with our calculator.
Case Study: 15-Person Cabinet Shop First Aid Program
Shop: 6,000 sq ft facility, table saw, jointer, planer, finishing area
Risk Assessment:
- High-risk operations: Table saw (amputation risk), jointer (severe cuts)
- Moderate risks: Router (flying debris), sanding (eye injuries)
- Chemical hazards: Finishing area (eye wash critical)
- EMS response: 8 minutes average
- Classification: Type B (High Risk) required
First Aid Solution:
- Station 1 (Main shop): Type B wall cabinet near table saw - $450
- Station 2 (Finishing): Type B + eye wash station - $550
- AED Unit: Required (>10 employees, EMS >5 min) - $1,400
- Trained Personnel: 3 employees CPR/First Aid certified - $600 training
- Supplies (Annual): Replacement items, inspection - $300/year
Program Investment:
- Initial Setup: $3,300
- Annual Maintenance: $300 supplies + $200 training renewal
- Total First Year: $3,800
Safety Results (2 Years):
- Response time: Average 90 seconds to first aid (was 4+ minutes)
- Injuries treated on-site: 23 minor (avoided ER visits @ $1,200 avg = $27,600 saved)
- Serious injury response: 1 table saw laceration - tourniquet applied within 60 sec, full recovery
- Workers comp premium: 15% reduction = $2,400/year savings
- ROI: 140% in year one from avoided costs