First Aid Only Kits, Leather Gloves, and Class K Fire Extinguishers: A Practical B2B Buyer's Guide

Running safety supply purchasing for a facility comes with a learning curve. There's no such thing as a 'one and done' purchase in safety equipment—rules change, suppliers change kit contents, and your team's needs shift as operations change. These are the six questions I wish someone had answered for me when I took over purchasing in 2020.

1. What does 'First Aid Only' actually mean—is it a brand?

You've probably seen 'First Aid Only' printed on boxes and assumed it's a generic warning like 'FRAGILE.' I did too, until a vendor corrected me. First Aid Only is an actual brand that makes and distributes first aid kits, refills, and wall cabinets. The name describes what's inside, which makes the branding clever and confusing at the same time.

For buyers, the distinction matters. Branded First Aid Only kits typically list their ANSI classification and contents clearly on the box. Generic kits might have the same wording but with items that don't meet any recognized standard. I once opened a no-name kit and found a whistle and a flashlight instead of a cold pack. It also matters because compliant kits come with a written contents list, which is a huge help during an audit.

My advice: when you get quotes for 'first aid only' supplies, confirm the brand and ask for a contents list. If you're comparing prices, you're comparing the components, not just the box.

2. Are First Aid Only kits OSHA compliant?

Short answer: OSHA doesn't require a specific brand, so no, you don't need a kit that says 'First Aid Only.' But you do need to meet OSHA's 'adequate supplies' rule under 29 CFR 1910.151(b). That's a vague sentence, and it created an industry baseline: ANSI Z308.1-2015.

Here's what I learned the hard way. We had a cheap plastic kit in the break room that cost $29. When our insurance auditor checked it, they flagged two problems: the kit wasn't labeled with an ANSI class, and it lacked basic items like an eye covering. The auditor told us to treat ANSI Z308.1 as the baseline for what 'adequate' means.

There are two classes: Class A (minimum for general worksites) and Class B (higher quantities, for high-risk environments). You'll also want to match the kit to your hazard assessment. If you have employees handling chemicals, a standard kit won't cover eye flush, so you'll need additional supplies. Some states have their own requirements that go beyond the federal standard, so it's worth checking your state's labor website. The takeaway: buy a kit with an ANSI label, keep the documentation, and check it quarterly.

3. Are First Aid Only products a safe choice for compliance?

First Aid Only products are a common choice in the B2B space, and their kits usually carry the ANSI Z308.1 label right on the packaging—which helps when justifying purchases. But 'safe' depends on your application.

I'll give you a concrete example. We had a First Aid Only 10-person kit in our office area and a 25-person Class B kit in the warehouse. That worked well because the risk profiles matched. If I'd swapped them, the office would have been overstocked and the warehouse under-supplied.

One thing to watch: kit contents can change between production runs. I've ordered the same SKU twice and found minor differences in the included wipes and bandage sizes. So I check the physical kit when it arrives. Also, check expiration dates on the ointment and antiseptic wipes—I've found expired packages in kits that were supposedly new. When I put out a PO for refills, I specify the exact SKU now—once we received a 'generic equivalent' that didn't fit our cabinet.

The brand also makes refill packs and wall cabinets. If your team is running through supplies quickly, their refill system makes restocking easier. That's worth the upcharge. An informed buyer who verifies contents and ANSI class will do fine with this brand.

4. What leather gloves do you really need for welding?

Not all leather gloves are made for welding. I learned this lesson quickly when I bought a bulk box of $3 cowhide gloves and the guys on the floor burned through them in under a week. Welding leather gloves need specific properties.

• Split cowhide or goatskin—goatskin has better dexterity, cowhide holds up better to heat
• 12" to 18" cuffs to protect forearms from sparks
• Kevlar or aramid stitching—regular cotton thread melts and falls apart
• Insulated lining for higher-heat applications

A well-constructed pair usually costs $10–$20 per pair, and in my experience, they last several months under regular use. That's actually cheaper than buying $3 gloves every few days.

Also consider the type of welding. MIG or stick welding calls for a thicker hide; TIG needs thinner material for finger feel. Some jobs require combo MIG/TIG gloves. If you need cut resistance too, some welding gloves also carry an ANSI cut rating—look for that if you're handling sharp metal edge work. If your team rotates tasks, talk to the welding supervisor before deciding on a single style.

5. What is a Class K fire extinguisher, and does my facility need one?

Class K is the extinguisher class for commercial kitchen fires—cooking oils, fats, and grease. These use a wet chemical agent that reacts with hot oil to form a foam-like crust, smothering the fire. A standard ABC dry chemical extinguisher works on ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids, but it's not the right tool for deep fryer fires.

Where do you need one? Anywhere with commercial cooking equipment. NFPA 10 requires Class K extinguishers in restaurants, but your office break room can make the list too if you have a deep fryer, a grease-generating grill, or sometimes even a large air fryer.

I'll admit, I had a Class K in our remote kitchen for years but never checked it until the fire inspector came by. We had grease buildup on a vent, and while nothing serious happened—surprise, surprise—the extinguisher was expired. The inspector gave us 30 days to replace it. Now, every time I put one on a PO, I add a calendar reminder for the annual inspection. The other thing to remember is that a Class K fire will involve an extraction hood and possibly a fire suppression system; the extinguisher is the backup, not the primary system. Honestly, most buyers just remember the ABC units in the hallway.

6. What is the best welding helmet for a value-focused buyer?

'Best' welding helmet depends on your process and budget. For a mixed-use shop, I'd skip the $50 special and look at the mid-range auto-darkening models. Here's what to check:

• Optical clarity: a 1/1/1/1 rating means you see the arc without the amber tint that causes eye strain
• Viewing area: around 3.5" x 4" or larger
• Controls: sensitivity adjustment and grind mode are must-haves
• Power: solar with battery backup is ideal—we had one that died when the sun wasn't hitting it

In 2023, I bought six of a popular $70 auto-darkening model to save money. The welders complained about poor clarity and one failed within a year. We replaced them with a mid-range option around $180—better optics, smoother shade transitions, and the batteries last much longer.

You don't need $500 TIG-focused helmets unless you're doing high-frequency TIG all day. If you're ordering for a crew, my advice is to buy one premium helmet, let the most experienced welder test it, and then decide. I've also learned to keep a couple of spare headgear units in stock, because the suspension sweats and wears out faster than you'd think. That approach has saved us from bad bulk purchases more than once.