MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY FIRST AID GUIDELINES
Environmental Health and Safety
Marquette University
Created September 2011
Reviewed
I. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
It is recommended that all university departments maintain adequate first aid kits in convenient
and accessible locations. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29
CFR 1910.151 Appendix A states that first aid kits that meet American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) Standard Z308.1 must be readily available (see Attachment 1). In addition,
training of employees in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is
encouraged. This training is available locally. For further information on classes, call the
Marquette University Office of Environmental Health and Safety at 288-8411.
Because of the potential for exposure to bloodborne diseases, such as AIDS and Hepatitis B, it
is important for anyone who might give first aid and/or CPR to be aware of the hazards that
contact with human blood and certain human body fluids may present. For most employees,
providing first aid to someone in need is a personal choice. For other employees, providing
first aid is a requirement of their job position and part of their assigned duties.
Marquette University has a legally-required Bloodborne Pathogens Program, designed for the
purpose of protecting university personnel from exposure to disease-causing organisms found
in human blood and certain human body fluids. When employees are required to provide first
aid as a part of their assigned job duties, the program requires that specific training, personal
protective equipment and vaccinations be provided, and that specific record keeping and
procedures be in place.
The purpose of the Marquette University First Aid Policy is to define the types of first aid
providers at Marquette University, to explain basic exposure control procedures and to establish
the first aid kit supplies that should be available according to ANSI Standard Z308.1.
II. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS
A.
GOOD SAMARITAN
In the context of this policy, a "Good Samaritan" is a person who volunteers
assistance, as a personal choice, to a person in medical need. This assistance
may or may not involve potential contact with human blood or body fluids. It
is recommended that all individuals at Marquette University understand the
hazards involved in contact with human blood and certain body fluids, and
how to protect themselves from bloodborne diseases.
Marquette University First Aid Guidelines
Page 2
B.
FIRST RESPONDER
A Marquette University "First Responder" is an employee who, as a
requirement of his/her job position and assigned duties, is required to provide
first aid and/or CPR to persons in medical need. The First Responder is
certified in first aid and CPR and provides medical assistance until such time as
professional medical care can be provided. First Responders will participate in
the Marquette University Bloodborne Pathogens Program required by the
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens regulations (OSHA Standard 29 CFR
1910.1030).
III. EXPOSURE CONTROL PROCEDURES
Because of potential contact with human blood and potentially infectious body fluids, it is
recommended that disposable latex rubber or nitrile gloves and CPR pocket masks be
provided and used instead of bare-hand contact and direct mouth-to-mouth procedures. If
gloves, pocket masks, compresses or any other items become contaminated with human
blood or potentially infectious body fluids, they must be disposed of safely. Contaminated
materials must be placed in a closed and leak-proof container. Any contaminated sharps
(needles, razor blades, broken glass, etc.) must be collected in a container that is also
puncture-resistant. The container must be marked with a "BIOHAZARD" label and
autoclaved to decontaminate. Environmental Health and Safety at 288-8411 will pick up
decontaminated sharps waste upon request. Non-sharps waste should be placed inside
another opaque bag after autoclaving, and then disposed of in the regular trash. If an
autoclave is not available in the area, arrangements can be made with the Office of
Environmental Health and Safety to have contaminated waste disposed of by the medical
waste contractor. Interested personnel may call 288-7367 to make arrangements to deliver
biohazard bags and contaminated sharps containers to the Wehr Life Sciences. If
contaminated waste cannot be taken to Wehr Life Sciences Biohazard Room immediately,
the waste containers must be placed in a locked room until arrangements for delivery can
be made.
If there has been contact of human blood or potentially infectious body fluids with
broken skin, eyes or mouth, contaminated skin must be washed with soap and water
and the eyes and mouth must be flushed immediately. Employees then should contact
the workers’ compensation medical provider for Marquette University. Students
should contact the Marquette University Student Health Center at 288-7184 to arrange
a post-exposure evaluation.
Attachment 1
FIRST AID KIT REQUIREMENTS FACT SHEET
Environmental Health and Safety
Marquette University
Created September 2011
Reviewed
Marquette University first aid kits come in two versions. Both are in compliance with the
standards set by OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens regulations (OSHA Standard 29 CFR
1910.1030) and the ANSI Standard Z308.1 for minimum content requirements for industrial
first aid kits. The "First Responder" kit contains items that will provide blood exposure
protection and is intended for use by employees who have first aid responsibilities under the
Bloodborne Pathogens regulations. The "Good Samaritan" first aid kits do not contain blood
exposure protection items, and are intended for self-use and for use by individuals who make a
personal choice to volunteer assistance.
OSHA REQUIREMENTS AND INTERPRETATIONS
OSHA provides various statements concerning the applicability of medical services
and first aid. Listed below are several pertinent statements relative to first aid.
A.
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.151 states that "the employer shall ensure the
ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters
of workplace health.”
NOTE: Student Health Services, located at 545 North 15th Street, meets
this requirement.
B.
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.151 also states that, "In the absence of an
infirmary or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the
treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately
trained to render first aid. First aid supplies which meet ANSI Standard Z308.1
shall be readily available.”
NOTE: The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that, "in serious accidents involving
severe bleeding or breath stoppage, first aid, to be effective, must be
administered within 3 minutes.” In this same case, the court held that an
ambulance service located 4 minutes away under optimal conditions was not in
"near proximity.”
C.
OSHA offers more specific first aid requirements under several of the General
Industry Standards. EH&S is aware of the following items. This may not be a
complete list, however:
1.
Welding, cutting and brazing (29 CFR 1910.252 (c) (13))
"First aid equipment shall be available at all times. All injuries shall be
reported as soon as possible for medical attention. First aid shall be
rendered until medical attention can be provided."
Attachment 1, First Aid Kit Requirements Fact Sheet
Page 2
2.
Telecommunications (29 CFR 1910.268 (b) (3))
"First aid supplies which meet ANSI Standard Z308.1 shall be placed
in weatherproof containers (unless stored indoors) and shall be easily
accessible. Each first aid kit shall be inspected at least once a month.
Expended items shall be replaced."
3.
Construction Industry Standards (29 CFR 1926)
Several sections of the 29 CFR 1926 standards indicate that the
employer must provide first aid kits at construction sites plus persons
trained in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
4.
Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146); Electric Power Generation,
Transmission and Distribution (29 CFR 1910.269)
These OSHA standards require first aid kits plus persons trained in
basic first aid skills and CPR skills.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY FACILITIES AND
OPERATIONS
A. A determination must be made as to whether any operations include any
activities that are hazardous, contain hazardous materials, sharp objects or
obvious things that could produce cuts, punctures or any other need for
first aid. Based on this evaluation, the appropriate first aid kit must be
obtained and located at a site accessible and known to all employees. It is
essential to provide appropriate knowledge and information to employees
so they can successfully utilize the first aid kit.
B. If the evaluation leads to providing a "Good Samaritan" first aid kit, simple
instructions to employees will be sufficient. “ First aid treatment provided
by and employee on a voluntary basis is done so as a Good Samaritan and
the University assumes no responsibility for the exposure of that employee
to infectious bloodborne pathogens “. However, if the evaluation leads to
providing the "First Responder" first aid kit, more information and
instructions are indicated and must include the following:
1. Instructions for one or more persons in the fundamentals of basic first
aid
2. Instructions for one or more persons in CPR
3. Instruction for one or more persons in the protective measures required
to prevent bloodborne pathogens exposure
4. Included in the University’s Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
Plan, and given the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination
series.
C. A log must be maintained with each first aid kit containing the
Following information that must be recorded by each employee
who uses the kit;
1.
2.
3.
4.
The type of injury
How the injury was treated
A list of supplies that were used
The first aid log does not eliminate the Universities
requirement to complete and submit and Accident/Incident
Report
D. Someone in each department must be assigned the responsibility
for ensuring the first aid kits are properly supplied at all times.
E. All bandages and other materials saturated with human blood or
body fluids must be disposed of in accordance with the
Universities bio-hazardous waste policies.
F. Further information and assistance can be obtained from;
1. EH&S (288-8411).
2. Student Health Center (288-7184).
Attachment 2
FIRST AID KITS
Environmental Health and Safety
Marquette University
Created September 2011
Reviewed
All university departments should maintain adequate first aid kits in convenient and accessible
locations. First aid kits and refill items can be purchased from various vendors. Items listed
below are the minimum components required for first aid kits used at Marquette University. Kits
may contain additional supplies. Individual items should be replenished as they become depleted.
No aspirin, salt tablets, or other medicinal products, first aid crème, bottles of liquid iodine,
alcohol or similar items are approved and may NOT be stocked in university first aid kits. These
items may cause an allergic reaction, increase the severity of an injury, or hamper a physician’
medical treatment.
Minim
um Contents
Small Good
Samaritan Kit
Large Good
Samaritan Kit
First Responder
1
1
1
16
20
20
2 rolls (½” x 2½ yd.)
1 roll (½” x 5 yd.)
1 roll (½” x 5
yd.)
10 wipes
10 wipes
10 wipes
Burn Treatment
90.5g)
6
6
6
Sterile Pads (3" x3 ')
4
10
10
Gauzes
4
4
4
2 pair
2 pair
2 pair
Scissors
1
1
1
Eye Wash solution
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Absorbent
Compress
Adhesive Bandages
(1” x 3”)
Adhesive Tape (3/8”
x 5 yd.)
Antiseptic (0.5 g
applications)
Medical Exam
Gloves (large "nonlatex)
Biohazard Label (
1" x 3")
Biohazard waste
bag (6"x8", Red
plastic)
Some operations may require more extensive first aid kits than recommended here. In those
cases, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at 288-8411, for assistance. If further
medical attention is required after first aid has been given, patients with work-related
injuries should be directed to the workers’ compensation medical provider for Marquette
University. Students should be directed to Marquette’s Student Health Center (288-7184).
IF THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPOSURE TO HYDROFLUORIC ACID
CONTACT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (288-8411) FOR
SPECIFIC PROCEDURES AND FIRST AID KIT REQUIREMENTS.
AMBULANCE SERVICE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IS
AVAILABLE BY CALLING PUBLIC SAFETY 8-1911 FROM MARQUETTE
UNIVERSITY TELEPHONES.