Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Ontario
If you run or manage a workplace in Ontario — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.
An employer duty — to rescue a colleague
Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Ontario.
What the law requires in Ontario
How many designated first-aiders?
Rule keyed to workers per shift: 1-5 workers = 1 Emergency First Aid worker + section 8 kit; 6-15 = 1 Standard First Aid worker + section 9 kit; 16-199 = section 10 kit (with stretcher and blankets); 200+ = a first-aid room (section 11) staffed by a Registered Nurse or Standard First Aid worker. At least one trained first aider must be present on every shift.
As a Canadian province, Ontario has its own occupational health and safety framework with jurisdiction over all workplaces.
Regulation 1101 recognizes Emergency or Standard First Aid from a WSIB-approved provider; the practical portion is normally in person (blended format accepted).
Region specifics
- Regulation 1101 sits under the WSIA (accident-insurance statute) and is administered by the WSIB, not under the Occupational Health and Safety Act — an Ontario peculiarity.
- The system is driven by workers per shift rather than a hazard rating, unlike most CSA-aligned provinces.
- Employers must post WSIB Form 82 'In Case of Injury at Work' and keep a record of first aid treatments given.
Why it matters
A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.
Is this really what you're looking for?
Our first-aid and CPR courses are 100% online, lead to a recognized certification, and exceed the required standards; a hybrid option is also available and fits most needs. Choose the course that fits your situation:
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
CSA Z1210-17First Aider – CSA Z1210-17 – 16h – Healthcare Professional
This 16-hour first aid training, compliant with the CSA Z1210-17 standard, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Upon completion, the candidate will receive a certification valid for two years, meeting the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard. Skills will be updated annually, and the training must be renewed every two years to maintain active certification. Tailored for nurses, it strengthens the safety of residents in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Intermediate Level (16h) – CSA Z1210-17 Compliant
Upon successful completion of this 16-hour IN-PERSON intermediate-level first aid training, the candidate will receive a valid certification that meets the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Since the modernized program (June 22, 2026), only WSIB-approved providers may certify in Ontario. A non-approved provider cannot issue the recognized certificate; non-approved online training only complements.
Visit the official site — Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)