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First Aid in the Shop

This article is not a first aid course. It helps you prepare so that the right supplies, training and information are in place before an injury.

When should I call 911?

If someone is seriously hurt, unconscious, not breathing normally, bleeding heavily, trapped, burned, shocked, poisoned or you are unsure, call 911 right away. Do not wait to see if they get better and do not drive a badly injured person yourself unless a dispatcher advises it.

Stay on the line and follow the dispatcher's instructions. Keep your farm address, entry road and landmarks ready so responders can find you.

Keep your plan simple, because under stress people do what they have practiced. A short checklist by the phone beats a long binder nobody opens.

What training do we need?

A kit is only useful if someone knows what to do. The American Red Cross and other recognized providers teach first aid, CPR and bleeding control in hands-on classes. Taking one gives you skills that an article cannot, and recertifying keeps them fresh.

Aim to have at least one trained person on any shift, and encourage family members, teens and hired help to take courses. Ask your extension office or local EMS about classes near you.

Many farms find it helpful to have a few trained people rather than one, because the trained person may be the one who is hurt or away.

What should a shop kit hold?

Official sources, such as the Red Cross and OSHA, describe what kits typically contain, and the right contents depend on your shop's hazards and the number of workers. This article does not list quantities or specific products, since you should follow official guidance and your health provider's advice.

In general, include basic wound care supplies, eye wash suited to your hazards, gloves and a way to call for help. Check for expired items, and replace what is used.

Include a plan for who checks the kit and who restocks, and for what to do with items that have expired, since out-of-date supplies are a common problem.

• Keep the kit in a known, marked, reachable place.
• Check it on a schedule and after each use.
• Keep a printed list of emergency numbers and the farm address.
• Add items for your specific hazards, as official guidance advises.

Where should supplies be located?

Put kits near where injuries are likely, such as near the welding area, the grinder and the main door. Keep eye wash within quick reach of chemicals and grinding. Mark locations with signs everyone can see, and make sure the path is clear.

Consider a kit in every vehicle and in the field, not only in the shop.

Remember that supplies should be easy for a stressed person to find. A bright, labeled box on a wall bracket is better than a box buried on a shelf.

How do I prepare for emergencies?

Write down the address, directions and landmarks. Post them by the phone and near the door, and make sure everyone knows them, including children. Check that your phone works in the shop, since some areas have poor signal.

Plan who will call 911, who will meet the ambulance at the road and who will stay with the injured person. Practice that plan, just as you practice a fire plan.

Share the plan with family members, hired workers, neighbors and anyone who might be alone at the farm, and keep it current when phone numbers or roads change.

What about serious injuries and special hazards?

Serious injuries from entanglement, entrapment, electrical contact, chemical exposure or fire need professional responders. Do not attempt rescue beyond your training. Official sources such as NIOSH, OSHA and the Red Cross explain the hazards and training that exist.

After any injury, even a minor one, record what happened and look for the cause. Tetanus protection and wound follow-up are questions for a health care provider.

If the person is trapped, caught in machinery or in a confined space, do not try rescue unless you are trained. Call 911 and follow the dispatcher.

How do I support people after an injury?

Injuries can be frightening for everyone involved. Check in with the injured person, the one who found them and any children who saw it. If someone seems overwhelmed, talk with a health care provider or a counselor. In the US, people can call or text 988 for emotional crisis support.

Afterward, look at what could change in the shop to keep it from happening again, without blaming anyone.

Take care of yourself too. Responding to an injury is stressful, and talking about it afterward is normal.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.