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We know the shop can be a bustling environment. Between the busy nature of the shop and the use of different tools, accidents can happen.
Cutting tools are paramount in many shops, but they are also among the most dangerous equipment if not handled with care. Accidents involving cutting tools can lead to burns, cuts and other injuries.
There are both direct and indirect costs of accidents, and they can add up. Costs can include medical costs, time lost (by worker and supervisor), schedule delays, training new employees and cleanup/equipment repair. To prevent these unnecessary costs and ensure your team’s safety, it is important to take proper safety precautions and have the right equipment on hand.
First Aid Requirements
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established guidelines for workplace safety and requirements for first aid kits.
OSHA states “employers are required to provide medical and first aid personnel and supplies commensurate with the hazards of the workplace.” Additionally, OSHA standard 1910.151(b) states “adequate first aid supplies must be readily available when an infirmary or clinic is not available on the worksite.”
While OSHA defines mandatory requirements for availability of first aid kits in workplaces, it does not provide specifications for first aid contents.
The American National Standards Institute and the International Safety Equipment Association have established minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits under the ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 standard.
The most up-to-date ANSI standards include two classes of first aid kits: Class A and Class B. Class A first aid kits are suitable for low to moderately hazardous settings. They typically include supplies for treating most common workplace injuries. Meanwhile, Class B first aid kits are designed with a broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injuries in more complex or high-risk environments.
First Aid Kits
To mitigate the risks, it is important to have a first aid kit readily available.
Since a shop is a high-risk environment, you will want to have a Class B first aid kit on hand. Kimball Midwest offers Class B first aid kits that meet the new ANSI/ISEA standard Z308.1-2021. These kits can be mounted on the wall to help provide quick access to first aid supplies in an emergency.
If you already have a first aid kit that meets the new standard, consider getting a refill kit in case your supplies run low. These refill packs offer a convenient way to order all contents to resupply a first aid kit.
Specialty Kits
For serious wounds, consider a Bleed Control Cabinet. These wall-mountable kits contain complete packs of first aid supplies for emergencies like serious cuts and abrasions.
In case something was to get in anyone’s eye, Kimball Midwest offers an Eyewash Station. It flushes debris out of eyes as well as neutralizes any acid and alkali burns.
Safety Equipment
To avoid accidents, it is important to use other safety equipment when working with cutting tools to protect workers:
When it comes to workplace safety, remember, a well-prepared shop is a safer shop. If you need first aid supplies or safety equipment or want help determining what supplies you need, your Kimball Midwest sales representative has you covered. If you don’t already have a rep, we can help you 
