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First aid supplies for retail stores

Summary A retailer asked what first aid supplies its stores needed. OSHA said the cited standard did not require supplies if an infirmary, clinic, or hospital was nearby; otherwise a physician chosen by the owner should determine a kit suited to each store. OSHA now archives this letter as potentially outdated.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1990-08-31-0
Date issued
August 31, 1990
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA archives this letter and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 First Aid
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA archives this letter and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

AUG 31 1990

Ms. Christa Nichols
Retail Personnel
Wohl Shoe Company
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Ms. Nichols:

This letter is in response to your question about first aid supplies required by businesses in OSHA Standard 1910.151 (b).

If there is an infirmary, clinic or hospital in the proximity of a retail store, then no first aid supplies are required by the standard. On the other hand, if no infirmary, clinic or hospital is within the proximity of a store, then a physician identified by the store owner shall determine the contents of a first-aid kit to meet the specific needs of each store.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Angela Presson M.D., M.P.H.
Medical Officer
Office of Occupational Medicine

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