Every Ontario employer has a responsibility to provide a safe workplace, and that includes being prepared when accidents happen. While no one expects an emergency, having the proper first aid supplies, trained personnel, and procedures in place can make all the difference when someone is injured on the job.
Whether you operate an office, retail store, warehouse, restaurant, or construction business, understanding your first aid obligations helps protect your employees while keeping your business compliant with Ontario regulations.
Understanding Ontario’s First Aid Requirements
Under Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) and Regulation 1101, employers must ensure appropriate first aid coverage is available based on the number of workers on each shift.
Current requirements include:
- 1–5 workers per shift: At least one employee must hold a valid Basic First Aid certificate.
- 6 or more workers per shift: At least one employee must hold a valid Intermediate First Aid certificate.
- Certifications must be obtained through a WSIB-approved training provider and renewed every three years.
Every workplace must also have a properly stocked first aid kit that is easy to locate and readily accessible in the event of an emergency.
Keeping Your First Aid Kit Ready
A first aid kit is only effective if it’s properly maintained.
Employers should regularly inspect their kits to ensure supplies are fully stocked, organized, and within their expiry dates. Depending on your workplace, your kit may include:
- Adhesive bandages and sterile dressings
- Gauze pads and rolls
- Medical tape
- Disposable gloves
- Scissors and safety pins
- CPR barrier device
- Triangular bandages
- Eyewash solution (where required)
- First aid record book
A simple quarterly inspection can help ensure everything is ready when it’s needed most.
First Aid Is More Than Compliance
Meeting Ontario’s legal requirements is important, but workplace preparedness goes beyond checking boxes.
Employers should also:
- Keep track of employee first aid certifications and renewal dates
- Clearly identify where first aid kits are located
- Ensure employees know who the trained first aid responders are
- Discuss emergency procedures during staff meetings
- Review workplace hazards regularly
These small steps help create a safer workplace and improve emergency response when every second counts.
Supporting Employee Recovery
First aid is often the first step following a workplace injury, but recovery may continue well beyond the initial incident.
Employee benefits can play an important role by helping employees access services such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Prescription medications
- Mental health support
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
Together, workplace safety practices and employee benefits help businesses support their employees from the moment an injury occurs through recovery and return to work.
Additional Resource
For more information about Ontario first aid requirements and workplace compliance, visit the Workplace Safety North resource centre.
