Introduction to First Aid

First Aid in the Workplace

Workplace first aid is emergency care given by a person who is trained (and designated) to be the first aid provider to a co-worker who is injured or suddenly ill. All provinces and territories have a provision within legislation relating to first aid in the workplace.

Refer to your provincial or territorial regulations for what is required in your area.

First Aid as Part of Your Job

When providing first aid is part of your job, you have a duty to use reasonable skill and care based on your level of training. There are regulations to protect the first aider. For example, in workplaces regulated by the Canada Labour Code, Section 126(3) of the Code states:

“No employee is personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith by the employee when the employee is assisting the employer, as requested by the employer, in providing first aid or in carrying out any other emergency measures.”

Every workplace in Canada is required under federal, provincial or territorial regulations to have a first aid kit. The size and contents of the first aid kit will be determined by those regulations. First aid providers are encouraged to be familiar with the contents of their workplace first aid kit, its location, and to conduct regular inspections of the kit.

First Aid as Part of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

Provincial and territorial regulations and legislation contain requirements for first aid training in their jurisdiction. Most regulations require at least one designated first aid provider at work at all times.

The level of training required by the first aid provider will depend on the size of the workplace, the distance to medical help, and the risk of injury in the workplace.

To help ensure compliance with regulations, it is recommended to have more than one person on each shift trained in first aid to account for holidays, illness, and breaks.

OHS Legislation

Provinces and territories are responsible for establishing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation to protect workers.

All workplaces that fall under provincial or territorial jurisdiction concerning regulations must adhere to the legislation and regulations of that province or territory. Those workplaces that fall under federal jurisdiction are subject to the Canada Labour Code.

Housed within the legislation and regulations are provisions for adequate first aid coverage for a workplace, usually based on some or all the following:

• The number of workers
• The potential risks
• The distance from medical care