OSHA 1910.151 First Aid Rules: What Employers Must Have
When someone gets hurt at work, the first few minutes matter. OSHA’s first aid rule is 29 CFR 1910.151. It is short. Here is what it asks for in plain words.
Part one: medical advice
The company must have medical people ready to give advice on health matters at the site. This can be a doctor or nurse the company can call.
Part two: trained first aid help
This part depends on how close care is. If there is no clinic, hospital, or infirmary in “near proximity,” the company must have at least one person trained in first aid. First aid supplies must be on hand and easy to reach.
The rule does not set an exact number of minutes. OSHA looks at how fast help can really get to a hurt worker.
Training for 1910.151: Learn this rule step by step in our Workplace First Aid Requirements for Supervisors course. It is included in the Black Belt Safety Vault.
Part three: eyewash and showers
Some jobs use chemicals that burn, like strong acids or caustics. If they can splash a worker’s eyes or body, the company must have a way to flush them fast. That means an eyewash or drench shower. It must be in the work area and ready to use right away.
What goes in a first aid kit
The rule itself does not list kit items. A guide at the end of the rule points to a national kit standard as an example for small sites. Bigger or riskier sites may need more kits or more supplies. Use your injury logs to see what you really need. Check your kits from time to time.
If first aid could mean contact with blood, give workers gloves and other gear. That is covered by the bloodborne pathogens rule.
What to do next
Supervisors set up first aid plans, so they need to know this rule well. Our Workplace First Aid Requirements for Supervisors course explains it step by step. Start the course or join the Vault.
This is a plain-language summary. The official rule text is what counts.
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.151, Medical services and first aid – eCFR, National Archives, checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
Does OSHA require a first aid trained person at work?
Yes, if there is no clinic, hospital, or infirmary close by. Then at least one person must be trained in first aid.
How many minutes away can medical help be under OSHA?
The rule does not set an exact number of minutes. OSHA looks at how fast help can really get to a hurt worker.
What must be in an OSHA first aid kit?
The rule itself does not list kit items. A guide at the end of the rule points to a national kit standard as an example for small sites.
When does OSHA require an eyewash station?
When chemicals that burn, like strong acids or caustics, can splash a worker's eyes or body. The eyewash or shower must be in the work area and ready right away.