Often, yes—restaurants are expected to have first-aid supplies available, but the exact “legal requirement” depends on where the restaurant operates and which rules apply. In the U.S., requirements usually come from a mix of workplace safety expectations (such as OSHA guidance and any state OSHA plans), local health department rules, workers’ compensation best practices, and corporate insurance or brand standards.
While a specific statute may not always say “a first aid kit must be on-site” in those exact words, employers are commonly required to provide prompt access to medical attention for injured employees. The most practical way to meet that expectation—especially in a kitchen with knives, heat, and slippery floors—is keeping a stocked first aid kit that’s easy to reach.
OSHA’s general approach is that employers must ensure medical services are available for workplace injuries. If a clinic or hospital isn’t near enough for emergency care, first-aid supplies and trained personnel may be expected. Many businesses treat a first aid kit as a baseline, regardless of distance.
States and cities can add their own workplace safety or food-service rules. Inspectors may not “score” a first aid kit the way they score food storage, but an incident can quickly turn a missing kit into a compliance and liability problem.
Even when local rules are quiet on the topic, insurers and corporate policies often require documented first-aid readiness—especially for multi-location restaurants.
A restaurant kit should prioritize burns, cuts, and splashes: assorted bandages, sterile gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, burn gel or burn dressings, gloves, scissors, tweezers, and an eyewash solution. Keeping supplies in a labeled, wall-mounted location (and checking them on a schedule) helps prevent shortages during a rush.
For a practical, printable restocking tool, see the checklist here: printable kitchen first aid checklist.
Include supplies for common kitchen injuries: bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, burn care items, gloves, scissors, tweezers, and eyewash. Choose quantities that match your staff size and replace anything expired or used.
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