The voluntary consensus industry standard on workplace first aid kits is currently undergoing revision and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) is seeking stakeholders to particpate in the review and approval process for this standard. ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2009, American National Standard - Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies is expected to be published as an updated document by the end of the year.

The widely-accepted standard details  the requirements for first aid supplies used to treat a variety of common workplace injuries including: cuts and abrasions, minor burns, strains and sprains and minor eye injuries. One of the major revisions under consideration is the establishment of a two-tiered first aid kit classification schemes. First aid kits would be designated as either Class A or Class B, depending on the assortment and quantity of supplies based on the likelihood of a workplace injury.

As part of the development process, standards prepared by ISEA become American National Standards through a consensus process that involves reviewers outside the association. These reviewers submit comments and vote on the approval of the standard, serving as the final authority in determining whether a candidate standard is submitted to ANSI for acceptance as an American National Standard.

ISEA maintains a list of participants, balanced by interest category, for each standard. A reviewer may fall into one of four categories:

• Producer:  A manufacturer of the product covered by the standard or components thereof.
• User:  An organization that uses, specifies or purchases the product covered by the standard.
• Government:  An agency or department that has regulatory authority or other interest in the product (NOTE:  government agencies that use the product fall under the USER category.)
• General Interest:  An organization that has a special interst in the standard due to safety, technical or other requirements; or an individual expert with knowledge in the area(s) covered by the standard, but who neither produces nor uses the products.

Consensus review of the proposed update is expected to begin in August 2014. If you are intested in serving as a consensus panel member for this document, contact Cristine Fargo at ISEA for details.