Restaurant First Aid Kits: Kitchen First Aid and Safety Essentials

Date Published: March 25, 2025

A restaurant kitchen is a fast-paced, high-energy environment where chefs, cooks, and staff work efficiently to prepare meals for customers. From cuts and burns to more serious injuries, even the most experienced kitchen staff can need immediate medical attention.

In an industry where time is everything, being prepared for the unexpected keeps operations running smoothly while prioritizing the well-being of employees. Having a well-stocked and accessible restaurant first aid kit can be a good practice. A properly equipped first aid kit ensures that injuries are treated quickly, reducing the risk of complications and keeping staff safe.

Popular First Aid Kits for Restaurants

When selecting a commercial kitchen first aid kit, choose one that meets the specific needs of food service environments. A restaurant's unique hazards — such as burns, cuts, and exposure to cleaning chemicals — require a kit that includes specialized supplies tailored for food service settings.

Don’t forget about factors like the size of your establishment, the number of employees, and ease of accessibility.

The American Red Cross Store has various ANSI-compliant first aid kits perfect for bars, restaurants, and food service kitchens. Whether you need a compact solution or a comprehensive kit, we’ve got you covered.

• Wall Mounted First Aid Kits: Ideal for larger kitchens with multiple employees, containing extensive supplies for handling various injuries.
• Medium SmartCompliance, Food Service, ANSI A First Aid Kit (Metal Cabinet): This medium metal food service first aid kit, ANSI A, contains 91 pieces and is suitable for restaurants and food service businesses.
• Medium 25-Person First Aid Kit 118-Piece (Plastic Case): A compact option for smaller restaurant teams, with essential first aid supplies for immediate response.
• Large, 50 Person Red Cross First Aid Kit: This kit contains 216 essential first aid supplies to treat injuries—meets both ANSI and OSHA standards.
• First Aid Supplies: Explore first aid supplies and kits to maintain your kitchen first aid kit so it’s ready when it's needed most.

What Goes in a Restaurant First Aid Kit?

A well-stocked commercial first aid kit includes a variety of items for responding to kitchen-related injuries, ensuring a quick and effective response to emergencies.

Since restaurants have unique hazards like burns, cuts, and slips, the kit should include adhesive bandages of various sizes for minor cuts, sterile gauze pads for more significant wounds, medical tape for more severe wounds, and antiseptic wipes to prevent infections.

Burn ointment and cold packs reduce pain and inflammation in burn treatment. Additionally, nitrile gloves maintain hygiene while administering first aid, and tweezers and scissors are necessary for removing debris and cutting bandages. Eyewash solution is helpful for flushing out irritants or chemicals from the eyes.

Advanced care items such as a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) mask and an emergency guide for handling critical situations enhance the kit’s effectiveness. By ensuring all these components are included and regularly restocked, restaurants maintain a safe working environment and comply with OSHA and ANSI first aid standards.

Restaurant First Aid Legal Standards

The following are some key legal requirements:

• First aid kits should be easily accessible and stored in a marked location.
• Kits must contain OSHA-compliant first aid supplies such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, and burn ointments.
• Regular inspections and refills are necessary to confirm up-to-date and fully stocked supplies.
• Employers must provide basic first aid training to guarantee employees respond appropriately to emergencies.

Depending on your location, some jurisdictions require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in food service establishments for cardiac emergencies.

For official OSHA guidelines, refer to OSHA First Aid Standards.

According to OSHA Appendix A to § 1910.266 - First-Aid Kits (Mandatory), the following essential items are a part of a well-stocked first aid kit:

• Gauze pads (at least 4 x 4 inches).
• Two large gauze pads (at least 8 x 10 inches).
• Box adhesive bandages (band-aids).
• One package gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches wide.
• Two triangular bandages.
• Wound cleaning agent such as sealed moistened towelettes.
• Scissors.
• At least one blanket.
• Tweezers.
• Adhesive tape.
• Latex gloves.
• Resuscitation equipment such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask.
• Two elastic wraps.
• Splint.
• Directions for requesting emergency assistance.

How to Maintain Your First Aid Kit

Maintaining a restaurant's first aid kit is important because an unstocked or expired kit leads to delays in treating injuries, putting employees at greater risk. Without proper maintenance of the first aid kit, a restaurant can face legal consequences, failed health inspections, or increased workers’ compensation claims.

Additionally, a well-maintained first aid kit demonstrates a commitment to workplace safety, promoting a culture where employees feel protected and valued. By prioritizing first aid kit upkeep, restaurant owners minimize downtime from injuries, maintain compliance, and create a safer, more efficient work environment.

Here are steps to keep your restaurant first aid kit in optimal condition:

1. Conduct Monthly Inspections: Check expiration dates and refill any depleted first aid supplies.
2. Ensure Accessibility: Store in a wall-mountable location that all employees can reach.
3. Train Staff: Help employees learn how to use the kit in emergencies.
4. Restock Promptly: Keep extra first aid supplies on hand to avoid shortages.
5. Keep Records: Maintain a log of first aid usage and incidents to monitor trends and improve safety practices.

Restaurant first aid kids are a necessary investment for workplace safety and legal compliance. By choosing well-stocked first aid kits and maintaining them properly, restaurant owners assure their employees are prepared for any kitchen emergency. Additionally, implementing kitchen injury prevention essentials and kitchen safety tips can protect your staff and customers from harm.