First Aid Checklist?

Hello, I am preparing for our first SQF audit and trying to get all the needed documentation/record keeping going/in order. Our existing crisis management plan that I've been adapting makes mention of our first aid kits being checked annually. This seems sound, so I'm inclined to maintain the practice despite it not being explicitly required by SQF. I'm wondering if anyone has a template checklist for a first aid kit? Or any opinions as to whether this might be overkill? We are a low risk environment, working in plastic manufacturing only. 

you can do anything you want in addition to what SQF requires. 

I would however like to mention that checking you kit contents once a year is really not enough - things go missing, expire, etc. i'd be moving that up to 4 months or just include on your internal audit schedule.

I don't believe OSHA will tell you WHAT you need in a first aid kit or how often to check it, but that's a hat I haven't worn in a few years. The issue is that if you don't have it and an employee needs it, an injury could end up being a recordable (not REPORTABLE, that's different). One of the triggers for recordable is 'Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid'.

Glen is correct most of the time it is expirations that trigger replacement of items in my first aid kits. And that typically happens every month or so.

My suggestion for the template is to just make a quick EXCEL file; items in the left column, quantity expected for next column, actual count for your blank input column. Final column could be a notes section. You can add a column if you want to track expirations, or simply have them discard expirations during the count and put that post discard # in your actual count.

I have heard of (this is post training bar talk with fellow trainees so take it with a grain of salt) people getting a non-conformance for expired medicine in their cabinet, and I do know my auditor checked a random FA cabinet and a few random eyewash/showers during my SQF audits. 

• Part Number Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• Subpart: 1910 Subpart K
• Subpart Title: Medical and First Aid
• Standard Number: 1910.151 App A

OSHA has recommendations and you can search for this above. 

I have attached my worksheet, we have no burn risk so that is blank.  Red cross also has documents that pertain.

I would check more often than annually.  we have a service that comes monthly.  expensive but off my mind for the most part.  The govt. guidance is that if you are more than 6 minutes to a medical facility you need a higher level of preparedness for accident/injury.

To your health!

Dave

Hello, I am preparing for our first SQF audit and trying to get all the needed documentation/record keeping going/in order. Our existing crisis management plan that I've been adapting makes mention of our first aid kits being checked annually. This seems sound, so I'm inclined to maintain the practice despite it not being explicitly required by SQF. I'm wondering if anyone has a template checklist for a first aid kit? Or any opinions as to whether this might be overkill? We are a low risk environment, working in plastic manufacturing only. 

I have a first aid kit checklist document, hope this will help you.

I don't believe OSHA will tell you WHAT you need in a first aid kit or how often to check it, but that's a hat I haven't worn in a few years. The issue is that if you don't have it and an employee needs it, an injury could end up being a recordable (not REPORTABLE, that's different). One of the triggers for recordable is 'Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid'.

Glen is correct most of the time it is expirations that trigger replacement of items in my first aid kits. And that typically happens every month or so.

My suggestion for the template is to just make a quick EXCEL file; items in the left column, quantity expected for next column, actual count for your blank input column. Final column could be a notes section. You can add a column if you want to track expirations, or simply have them discard expirations during the count and put that post discard # in your actual count.

 

I have heard of (this is post training bar talk with fellow trainees so take it with a grain of salt) people getting a non-conformance for expired medicine in their cabinet, and I do know my auditor checked a random FA cabinet and a few random eyewash/showers during my SQF audits. 

Actually there are ANSI guidelines for first aid kit filling and it varies from industry category to category (construction, shipyards etc) It has to be adequate for your specific site. You can have anything beyond that but I would limit what you use because you also have the responsibility to your employees to provide a safe workplace (General Duty Clause) so whether it's specifically stated in the CRF or not, if it causes an "injury" the company can be cited and fined under the GDC. You can certainly buy and store first aid items on site but my recommendation would be have an outside vendor come in and make sure they only charge for the items they fill, not the by the visit. Many first aid companies will offer this type of service and are used to hygiene requirements and comply automatically. Their visit report or invoice is your record the cabinets have been checked monthly and you won't spend labor performing the inspection. Just be sure to document how the cabinet is inspected.

I missed the attach button yesterday

Dave

Thank you so much for your responses!