ANSI/ISEA update Z308.1 First Aid standard

ANSI and ISEA released their updated American National Standard for Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies (Z308.1-2026) on Sept. 17.

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 is a voluntary consensus standard referenced by OSHA as a recommended minimum guideline for workplace first aid supplies. It is widely adopted across industries and has been incorporated into occupational safety regulations in numerous states.

ISEA said this sixth revision reflects the realities of today’s workplaces, where opioid overdoses now account for a significant share of on-the-job deaths, and advances guidance on bleeding control, tourniquet specifications, and emergency preparedness for mobile workers.

The updated standard helps employers select and maintain workplace first aid kits based on anticipated hazards and response needs. The standard establishes minimum requirements for kit contents, classification, labeling, and performance across a variety of work environments.

What changed in the 2026 revision?

ISEA said the update provides clearer requirements and guidance to help employers maintain first aid supplies that match their workplace hazards and needs, including:

• Updated minimum kit requirements include bilingual English and Spanish first aid guides, and clearer criteria for arterial tourniquets.
• Expanded guidance addresses supplemental supplies, including naloxone and anti-choking devices, as well as first aid planning for mobile workers, including kit location, contents, storage, and inspection.
• Stronger hazard assessment guidance helps employers determine appropriate supplies, kit quantities, and placement based on workplace-specific risks.
• New first aid training guidance helps employers prepare employees to properly implement workplace first aid programs and respond when emergencies occur.

Seven key changes in the 2026 update

“Conformance to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026 gives employers confidence that their workplace first aid supplies are aligned with current best practices and evolving occupational risks,” said Todd Van Houten, Chair of the ISEA First Aid Product Group, and Senior Director Digital Customer Experience at Cintas. “This important revision helps organizations move beyond minimum compliance toward a more effective emergency response strategy - whether that means treating severe bleeding, supporting mobile workers, or responding to an opioid overdose before EMS arrives.”

Naloxone added to standard for opioid response

One of the most significant updates is the inclusion of naloxone - an opioid overdose reversal medication - as a recommended item in or near workplace first aid kits. Workplaces are encouraged to keep at least two naloxone nasal sprays in a clearly labeled kit near other emergency supplies, stored in plain view

The update arrives at a pivotal moment. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, almost 80,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2024, with over half involving opioids. But according to a National Safety Council (NSC) survey, only 28% of employers reported stocking naloxone at all worksites.

“First aid supplies should be ready for the emergencies most likely to happen in your workplace,” said Cam Mackey, President & CEO of ISEA. “For millions of American workers, that now includes an opioid overdose. This revised standard reflects that reality.”

The timing aligns with growing legislative momentum:

• New York enacted legislation last year requiring employers subject to OSHA first aid requirements to maintain an opioid antagonist - such as naloxone - as part of their workplace supplies, with a full effective date of Dec. 13.
• California has enacted a law requiring Cal/OSHA to draft regulations mandating naloxone nasal spray in workplace first aid kits, with the Standards Board required to adopt revised standards by Dec. 31.

The updated ISEA standard gives employers a voluntary framework to get ahead of that regulatory curve now.