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If you own a business, warehouse, or distribution center, it's easy to get so busy that you forget what's most important - keeping your employees safe. This is especially true in industrial settings where people work with heavy machinery, sharp equipment, and other potential hazards. Because of the inherent danger involved with these types of job settings, it's essential to have a workplace first aid kit.

OSHA regulations state that all businesses and workplaces must have first aid kits. You must also check your kit regularly to ensure your first aid supplies are not expired or low in stock. Even if you work in an office or what you perceive to be a safe environment, every workplace must have a first aid kit.

However, simply having something that passes as a first aid kit is not enough. Instead, there are specific things that your kit must contain in order for it to pass OSHA requirements. Additionally, some workplaces need extra supplies that other workplaces don't, depending on the setting. This article will explain what exactly your industrial first aid kit should contain and why first aid is so important.

What is the Importance of Having a First Aid Kit in the Workplace?

As we said before, having a workplace first aid kit is important for two reasons. First, it's an OSHA requirement, so if you have an inspection and there are no first aid kits to be found, you could face fines and penalties. Second, if anything happens to you or one of your employees, a first aid kit could mean the difference between life and death.

First aid kits are not very expensive, so keeping one or more well-stocked aid boxes at your business shouldn't be an issue. The fines you'll face from OSHA, not to mention potentially getting sued following workplace accidents if you don't have adequate first aid supplies, is significantly more than the cost of the kit itself.

First Aid Kit Must Haves: A Comprehensive First Aid Kit Checklist

Regardless of what type of business you're running, all industrial first aid kits must carry a minimum amount of supplies. OSHA requires that every first aid kit contains the following:

• 4x4 inch gauze pads At least two 8x10 inch gauze pads
• One-box adhesive bandages, aka band-aids
• A package of 2-inch wide gauze roller bandages
• At least two triangular bandages
• Sealed moistened towelettes or another type of wound-cleaning agent
• A pair of scissors
• At least one blanket
• Tweezers
• Splint
• Two elastic wraps
• Latex gloves
• How-to directions for requesting emergency assistance
•Adhesive tape

Remember, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, these are the bare minimum for first aid kits. A comprehensive first aid kit should include much more to ensure a safe workplace.

Additional First Aid Supplies Every Kit Should Contain

If you want to go the extra mile and do everything you can to keep your workers safe, here are additional things every first aid kit should contain.

• A pocket mask
• An extra package gauze roller bandage
• CPR and resuscitation equipment, including a resuscitation bag
• Two large gauze pads, at least 12x12 inches
• Anesthetic wipes
• Roller bandages
• A hot and cold pack
• Extra antiseptic wipes
• Epi-pens
• Burn dressings and treatments
• Tourniquets

The Importance of Knowing How to Use First Aid Supplies

While having a well-stocked first aid kit is great, knowing how to use it is equally important. After all, you can have all the life-saving equipment in the world, but if no one knows what to do, it won't do a bit of good. As such, it's highly recommended that you give all your workers first aid training in the.

Whether you train them yourself or have a one-day first aid program doesn't matter as long as they know how to administer first aid.

Industry-Specific First Aid Kit Requirements

Depending on your work environment, there are additional items that your first-aid kit should contain. For instance, construction sites have different hazards than an office building. As such, a construction site first aid kit should include extra bandages, tourniquets, and gauze pads compared to a typical first aid kit.

The same applies to workplaces with chemicals, fire, and similar dangers. You'll need extra burn dressings, hot and cold packs, and eye/skin washing kits than in other settings. It's important to identify your workplace's potential hazards and dangers and be prepared for them.

How Many First Aid Kits Does a Business Need?

The number of first aid kits you need depends on the size of your workplace. For office buildings and small businesses, one first aid kit on each floor is usually enough. However, you can never have too many first aid kits for warehouses, distribution centers, construction sites, chemical plants, and other potentially dangerous environments.

Where Should You Keep Your First Aid Kit

The exact place where you keep your first aid kits doesn't matter as long as they're readily accessible to everyone. For instance, you should keep them in a locked closet or first aid cabinet, which will take time to get to. Instead, it's good to keep one kit in your break room, one in your offices, and several others spread around throughout your working area.

To ensure your supplies don't get compromised, it's a good idea to keep them in secure but unlocked first aid cabinets. You can also keep them in first aid boxes, as long as they're readily accessible and don't get in the way. Regardless of where you keep your first aid kits, it's essential that everyone knows exactly where they are and the aid items they contain.

Setting Up Your First Aid Program

In addition to teaching your employees how to save lives through first-aid, your first-aid program should also include the following:

• Periodically inspecting your first aid kits to ensure they have adequate supplies
• Learning how to identify specific hazards in the workplace
• Knowing where the nearest hospital or medical clinic is
• Understanding the importance of injury prevention
• Putting one employee in charge of the first aid program
• Ensuring everyone in the work environment knows first-aid protocols

As long as you keep a well-stocked kit with all the first aid items you need and train your employees about how to use them, you will have fewer workplace injuries and emergency situations. 

Workplace injuries and illnesses cost employers millions of dollars annually. They also cost employees their health and thousands of dollars in lost income. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were just under 5,500 workplace fatalities, to go along with 2.8 million injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Both of these statistics are up from 2021, which means it's time for employers to take workplace safety even more seriously than before. 

Unfortunately, taking care of your employees in the workplace is often easier said than done. There are numerous health hazards and potential dangers, regardless of what type of business you're involved in. Protecting your workers will take time, money, and careful planning, but is ultimately possible when you know what to watch out for.

If you're wondering what some of the most common workplace safety hazards are and how to guard against them, you've come to the right place. This article will outline the top things that could put your employees at risk in 2024, as well as how to ensure they don't get the better of you. 

7 Most Common Hazards and Concerns in the Workplace

Workplace hazards will vary from industry to industry. However, here are some of the most common to watch out for. 

Indoor Air Quality

Even though you can't see, touch, or feel it, poor indoor air quality is one of the biggest risks to workplace safety. Indoor air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air inside your workplace is. Whether you know it or not, there's a chance that your air is full of toxins, mold spores, bacteria, pollen, and other contaminants you don't want getting into your lungs. 

The best way to ensure optimal indoor air quality is by regularly changing out the filters on your HVAC system. You should also install air purifiers as needed if your indoor air quality is still poor. Breathing in impure air over long periods of time can result in chronic health conditions and irritate existing lung problems. 

Fire and Flame Safety 

As usual, fire and flame safety is at the top of the list in terms of health hazards to watch out for. While some job settings are more prone to fire hazards than others, no one is exempt. Fire hazards can include anything from smoking in the workplace to forgetting about burning candles to outdated electrical wiring. 

Fall Hazards 

Whether it's because of slipping, tripping, or not having handrails in the right place, there are a wide range of fall hazards in any workplace. Slips are common in cold climates during winter when sidewalks and parking lots get icy. To avoid these potential catastrophes, it's important to invest in salting and plowing services during the winter months. 

In addition to icy and snowy conditions, falls can happen in the workplace for other reasons. Here are a few things to watch out for if you want to minimize slips, trips, and falls in the workplace. 

• Never run extension cords along walking or open areas. 
• Keep working areas free of debris and clutter. 
• Always post Wet Floor signs throughout the building when there are spills or an area is recently mopped. 
• Make sure all rugs and mats are flat and aren't a tripping hazard. 
• Invest in slip-proof rugs, mats, and flooring. 

Ladder Safety

If you're involved in the construction industry in any way, ladders present one of the biggest health risks in the business. Ladder safety is an often neglected necessity because blue-collar workers want to do whatever it takes to get the job done as quickly as possible. Therefore, rather than retrieve a taller ladder or move the ladder a few feet over, most construction, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC workers will push the safety limits. 

In many instances, this leads to falling off the ladder, which almost always results in an injury of some sort. While some injuries are more serious than others, they can all result in costly hospital bills and missed time at work. Therefore, ladder safety should be at the top of your to-do list if you're in charge of workplace safety. 

Eye Risks

No matter what line of work you're involved in, the eyes are always in danger. It's true of software and tech workers who sit in front of computer screens all day, and it's true of welders and carpenters who are near sparks and flying debris. Whether it's blue light and constant strain or flying hazards, the eyes are prone to a wide range of risks, many of which can be mitigated. 

Outdated Equipment and Machinery

It's also possible that it's high time to upgrade your equipment and machinery, but you haven't gotten around to it yet. In addition to slowing down your workers, outdated equipment and machinery can also present a safety hazard. This is especially true with large equipment, such as forklifts, power drills, ski lifts, and others. 

Shoulder and Elbow Fatigue

While hands-on blue-collar workers run the risk of hurting their elbows, backs, and shoulders while doing physical labor, writers and tech workers are also at risk. Whether it's overuse from swinging a hammer, lifting too much weight, or constant pressure on your ulnar nerve, the shoulders, back, and elbows are very susceptible to injury. As with eye risks, however, each of these potential hazards can be avoided with proper training and equipment. 

How to Avoid Risks in the Workplace

In addition to these workplace hazards, there are plenty of others, such as toxic fumes, chemical spills, asbestos, loud noises, and more. While not all hazards can be avoided, their risk of causing injury can always be mitigated using the following tips and tricks. 

• Hire someone whose only job is assessing and mitigating health and safety hazards. 
• Invest in the right personal protective equipment for your workers. 
• Implement a health program incentivizing your employees to work out, eat right, and do other things benefiting their health 
• Have regular safety meetings where you review OSHA health and safety standards 
• Post signs anywhere that there are chemicals or health hazards 
• Put signs up when there are wet floors and clean up spills as quickly as possible 
• Penalize workers who clutter the workspace or put tripping hazards in walkways 

As we said before, you can't completely prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace, but you can severely mitigate their risk.  

If you run any type of warehouse, factory, or other industrial facility, it's important to keep your workplace safe. That includes doing whatever is necessary to protect you, your workers, and anyone who might be visiting your facilities. To ensure that you do this, OSHA has put several safety protocols and standards in place.

However, just when you thought you had all of OSHA's rules down pat, they're set to make some changes in 2024. This includes how and when you're required to document injuries and illnesses, tighter standards on workplace violence, and more. Failing to note these changes could result in infractions, leading to costly fines and work delays.

If you want to make sure you stay up to date on everything OSHA-related for the new year, you've come to the right place. This article will detail several important changes you need to be aware of, as well as how they might benefit your workplace.

What is OSHA, and What Do They Do?

OSHA, short for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is the official governing body responsible for protecting the workers of America. OSHA is a federal entity, and they have the power to punish and discipline you and your business if you violate their rules.

While OSHA is a stern governing body that is strict with its rules, they are doing what they do to keep workers safe. Each of their rules is put in place for a reason, and businesses that comply with them are safer and better for it.

OSHA is also responsible for tracking and documenting different types of injuries, illnesses, and incidents that happen in the workplace. This is only possible, however, when employers and business owners do their part in reporting and properly documenting incidents in the workplace. As such, many of OSHA's rule changes for 2024 revolve around these aspects.

Important Changes OSHA is Making For 2024

Electronic Injury Tracking Practices

The biggest change to watch out for in 2024 is that OSHA is looking to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses, specifically for companies with 100 or more employees. The new illness and injury tracking rules will apply to high-hazard facilities, such as those involved with agriculture, food, transportation, manufacturing, and more.

Employers will have to make submissions of Form 300 and Form 301 once per year and include a comprehensive list of all illnesses and injuries that took place. In addition to these changes, the new rule, "Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses," also includes the following requirements:

- When they make the electronic submission, each company has to include its full legal name.

- Double-check the current North American Classification System to see if the new rule applies to them.

- Appendix B has been added to the existing OSHA code books with the new stipulations of new companies required to adhere to the new rule.

This new rule will make it easier for OSHA to keep track of injuries and illnesses in the workplace. However, they're also allowed to post some of the information on public websites, which will make some injuries and illnesses public knowledge. This is good for the sake of full disclosure but could anger some employers.

However, in spite of the potential downfalls, the new "Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses" rule will be beneficial. It will ensure that employers are more accountable than ever when it comes to reporting injuries and illnesses so that OSHA can make the necessary changes in the future.

Deadline For Submissions

In conjunction with the new "Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses" rule, there's also a new deadline for when submissions need to be made. All submissions from last year must be made by March 2, 2024, and any ensuing submissions must be made at the same time each year.

Three-Year National Program Regarding Warehouse and Distribution Center Operation

Thanks to an increase in warehouses and distribution centers in the US, OSHA is amping up its three-year national safety program initiative. They will be making more inspections of warehouses and distribution centers, and the inspections will be more comprehensive than before.

Incidents That Qualify as Workplace Violence

Another notable change in 2024 is that injuries sustained due to workplace violence must now be reported to OSHA, per the "Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses" rule. The rule applies to violent injuries that also occur outside of the workplace, such as if an employee is traveling for work or to or from work.

The Potential for a New Heat Sickness Standard

While nothing is set in stone yet, OSHA has created a comprehensive outline that could result in a new standard for protecting against heat sickness in the workplace. The goal of the new rule would be to require employers to come up with a comprehensive plan related to heat hazards. The plan would include evaluating and protecting against these hazards and the dangers of heat sickness they present.

Clarification of Construction Safety Gear Requirements

Finally, OSHA is doubling down on its previous PPE requirements as it pertains to the construction industry. Rather than having generic ill-fitting equipment, all employers and workers are required to have personal protective equipment and gear that fits them properly. While there's currently a similar rule in place, the new ruling is expected to get enforced quickly, which could result in additional PPE expenses to purchase new equipment.

What Do You Need to Do When OSHA Makes Changes

If OSHA makes a rule change and it applies to you, you must make changes within your company to comply with OSHA. To do this, double-check to ensure that the new rule applies to you and follow up on OSHA's website to see what exactly the changes entail. Failing to comply with new changes could result in fines and penalties for your business.

How to Ensure You Remain OSHA Compliant

It's important to note that not all of the changes coming in 2024 will affect all businesses. The "Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses" rule, for example, only applies to businesses with more than 100 employees. Other new rules, such as the proposed new heat sickness standard, only apply to companies that have heat hazards in the workplace.

Therefore, it's important to do your research and determine if the rule changes apply to you. If they do, you'll need to make changes within your warehouse, distribution center, or company to comply with OSHA's changes.

If you or your employees work in an environment containing potential chemical or physical hazards, it's crucial to invest in PPE. PPE, short for personal protective equipment, is designed to keep employees safe from anything that might cause them harm in the workplace. This includes things like chemicals, smoke, viruses, and more.

Thanks to recent phenomena like COVID-19 and its variants, PPE has never been more important. PPE includes things like goggles, gloves, face shields, respirators, footwear, and gowns that are designed to protect you from harmful contaminants in your environment. According to the Global Fund, PPE saves millions of lives each year, making it one of the most important investments in commercial businesses.

If you're curious and want to know more about the importance and benefits of PPE in commercial businesses, you've come to the right place. In addition to discussing the importance and benefits of PPE, we'll also discuss the different types of PPE and how to enforce the necessary protocols within your business.
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