OSHA first aid requirements 2026: 1910.151 in plain words
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(b) requires at least one person adequately trained to render first aid and adequate first aid supplies when no infirmary, clinic or hospital is in near proximity. OSHA reads that as care within 3 to 4 minutes where serious injuries are possible, up to 15 minutes in offices. Construction sites need a certified first-aid provider (1926.50(c)).
CPR, AED & First Aid, $850 for 10 Read the rule
01What does OSHA require for first aid?
The whole general industry rule is three short paragraphs, 29 CFR 1910.151[1]:
| Paragraph | What it says | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Medical personnel must be readily available for advice and consultation on plant health | Know which clinic or occupational health provider you use |
| (b) | With no infirmary, clinic or hospital in near proximity, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid; adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available | Trained responders plus a stocked kit Required |
| (c) | Where eyes or body may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, quick drenching or flushing facilities within the work area | Eyewash or shower near corrosives |
Construction has its own version: 29 CFR 1926.50(c) asks for "a person who has a valid certificate in first-aid training" from the Red Cross or equivalent documented training at the worksite when care is not reasonably accessible[2].
02What does "near proximity" mean?
OSHA measures it in minutes. Where serious injuries such as falls, suffocation, electrocution or amputation are possible, care "must be available within no more than 3-4 minutes"; offices may reasonably allow up to 15 minutes[3].
| Workplace | Likely hazards | OSHA response time reading | Trained responder on site? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office or call center | Low | Up to 15 minutes | Recommended |
| Retail store or restaurant | Cuts, burns, falls | 3 to 4 minutes for serious injuries | Yes, in most cases |
| Warehouse or plant | Machinery, forklifts | 3 to 4 minutes | Yes Required |
| Construction worksite | Falls, electrocution | Reasonably accessible care (1926.50) | Yes, certificate holder |
The response times are OSHA's 2007 interpretation[3]. Hazard levels by workplace are our editorial reading; your own hazard assessment decides.
03Why does first aid coverage matter at work?
2.5 million
Nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported by private employers (2,488,400 cases, 2.3 per 100 full-time workers)[4].
04What should first aid training cover?
OSHA does not publish one curriculum for general industry. The closest federal benchmark is the mandatory logging outline, 1910.266 Appendix B: first aid and CPR taught by lecture, demonstration, practical exercise and examination[8].
| Topic in the OSHA logging outline[8] | Covered in CPR, AED & First Aid?[9] |
|---|---|
| Definition of first aid and legal issues (Good Samaritan laws) | Yes |
| Patient assessment: respiratory and cardiac arrest | Yes, CPR and AED use |
| Hemorrhage, lacerations, abrasions | Yes; add Stop the Bleed for tourniquets |
| Medical, injury and environmental emergencies | Yes |
| Barrier devices and universal precautions | Yes; add Bloodborne Pathogens for the OSHA BBP standard |
The CPR, AED & First Aid class runs about 5 hours and ends with a 2-year digital certification issued through HSI[9]. That written certificate is the documentary evidence 1926.50(c) asks for on construction sites[2]. More on legal protection: Good Samaritan AED laws.
CPR, AED & First Aid for your team
About 5 hours, instructor-led, 2-year digital certification through HSI. 23 Oct 2026 price: $850 for up to 10 people, $1,882 for up to 25.
CPR, AED & First Aid at AED Leader, $850 Book at Response Ready05What does first aid training cost per person?
| Group size | Up to 10 | Up to 12 | Up to 15 | Up to 20 | Up to 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPR, AED & First Aid | $850 | $904 | $1,129 | $1,506 | $1,882 |
| Per person | $85.00 | $75.33 | $75.27 | $75.30 | $75.28 |
CPR, AED & First Aid ($850) + Bloodborne Pathogens ($200), up to 10 people = $1,050
Same bundle, up to 25 people: $1,882 + $500 = $2,382[9]
Why the add-on: OSHA says an employee trained in first aid and designated to give it is covered by the bloodborne pathogens standard[3]. Details in OSHA bloodborne pathogens training requirements. CPR-only pricing is in the group CPR training cost guide.
06What goes in an OSHA first aid kit?
1910.151(b) only says supplies must be "adequate" and "readily available." Its non-mandatory Appendix A points to the ANSI Z308.1 standard for minimum contents and tells larger or multi-operation sites to add kits and supplies[1].
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| First aid kit to ANSI Z308.1 | Appendix A to 1910.151 (non-mandatory guide)[1] |
| Eyewash or drench shower | 1910.151(c), where corrosives are used[1] |
| AED | Not required by OSHA; OSHA publishes AED guidance for workplaces[10] |
| Bleeding control kit with tourniquet | Not named by OSHA; pairs with Stop the Bleed training |
Building the AED side: compare complete AED kits from $1,463.80 or a recertified Philips OnSite at $875.
07Your OSHA first aid program in 6 steps
- Time the response: farthest workstation to the nearest clinic or EMS arrival point[3].
- Name responders: at least 2 per shift (our recommendation, for absence cover).
- Train them: CPR, AED & First Aid at AED Leader or Response Ready, plus Bloodborne Pathogens.
- Stock and log the kit to ANSI Z308.1; add eyewash where corrosives are used[1].
- Mount the AED inside the response window; check its maintenance schedule.
- Diary renewals: first aid and CPR every 2 years, bloodborne pathogens every year[9][11].
08OSHA first aid requirements: questions
What are OSHA's first aid requirements?
29 CFR 1910.151 requires medical personnel available for advice, a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid when no infirmary, clinic or hospital is in near proximity, adequate first aid supplies, and eye and body flushing facilities where corrosive materials are used.
Does OSHA require first aid training?
Yes, when no infirmary, clinic or hospital is in near proximity to the workplace. OSHA reads near proximity as 3 to 4 minutes where serious injuries are possible and up to 15 minutes in offices.
Does OSHA require a certificate for first aid?
General industry says adequately trained. Construction, under 1926.50(c), requires a person with a valid certificate in first-aid training from the Red Cross or equivalent training verified by documentary evidence.
How many employees need first aid training?
OSHA does not set a number for general industry. A practical target is at least 2 trained people per shift so someone can respond within the 3 to 4 minute window.
Are first aid responders covered by the bloodborne pathogens standard?
Yes. OSHA states that an employee trained in first aid and identified by the employer as responsible for rendering medical assistance is covered by the bloodborne pathogens standard.
How long does first aid certification last?
The CPR, AED and First Aid class sold by AED Leader and Response Ready gives a 2-year digital certification issued through HSI.
Related guides
OSHA CPR requirements · Bloodborne pathogens training · Stop the Bleed certification · Group CPR training cost · AEDs for offices · AEDs for manufacturing · AEDs for restaurants
How we check: prices are read from the live AED Leader and Response Ready listings on the date shown; rules are quoted from the eCFR. See our editorial standards and methodology. AED Best Brands is independent of AED manufacturers.
Sources
- eCFR, 29 CFR 1910.151, Medical services and first aid (text checked 23 Oct 2026).
- eCFR, 29 CFR 1926.50, Medical services and first aid (construction).
- OSHA, Standard interpretation, 16 January 2007: requirements for first aid, CPR and BBP training.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.5 million workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry in 2024.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2024.
- American Heart Association, CPR Facts and Stats.
- OSHA, OSHA Penalties: maximum $16,550 per serious violation for penalties assessed after 15 January 2025.
- eCFR, 29 CFR 1910.266 Appendix B, First-aid and CPR Training (Mandatory).
- AED Leader course listings, CPR & AED, CPR, AED & First Aid, Stop the Bleed, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, Fire Extinguisher Live Fire: price by group size, length and certification, checked 23 Oct 2026; Response Ready lists the same price ranges.
- OSHA, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
- eCFR, 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2), Bloodborne pathogens training.
Updated 21 October 2026.