What this regulation requires
OSHA requires your employer to ensure that medical advice and consultation are readily available for workplace health matters. If a clinic or hospital is not in near proximity, your employer must have someone adequately trained to provide first aid on-site.
Under 1910.151(b), your employer must maintain adequate first aid supplies. Furthermore, 1910.151(c) mandates that if you are exposed to corrosive materials, your employer must provide suitable facilities for immediate eye and body flushing within your work area.
Who this regulation applies to
This regulation applies to all general industry workplaces. It is particularly critical in manufacturing, chemical processing, and industrial facilities where you handle hazardous substances or operate heavy machinery that may cause immediate injury.
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Free Benefits ReviewCommon violations
The most frequent citations involve 1910.151(c), where employers fail to provide functional eyewash stations or emergency showers near chemical work areas. Inspectors also frequently cite 1910.151(b) for expired first aid supplies or the absence of a designated, trained first aid responder.
In practice, this looks like a chemical splash occurring where the nearest eyewash station is blocked by debris or is completely non-functional. It also includes scenarios where you suffer a severe laceration, but your employer lacks a basic first aid kit or a staff member trained to stop the bleeding.
Penalties and enforcement
OSHA issues serious citations for these violations, especially when the lack of emergency equipment exacerbates an injury. Fines can reach thousands of dollars per violation. Inspections are often triggered by your complaints regarding unsafe conditions or following a reported injury where the lack of first aid delayed necessary treatment.
Your rights if this rule was broken when you got hurt
You have the right to a workplace that provides immediate access to emergency medical resources. If your employer fails to provide required safety equipment, you may file an anonymous complaint with OSHA. Retaliation for reporting these safety gaps is prohibited under federal law.
If you were injured and the lack of first aid or emergency equipment worsened your condition, document the scene immediately. Take photos of missing or broken eyewash stations and note the absence of first aid supplies. An attorney can help you determine if these failures support your Workers' Compensation claim.