First aid requirements

The first aid kits, trained first aiders, records and posted information an employer must have, based on workforce size, hazards and distance to care.

Also called: workplace first aid, first aid kit requirements, first aid attendant

What first aid requirements means

First aid requirements are the rules on what an employer must have ready in case someone is hurt or falls ill at work. They usually cover three things: first aid supplies (kits and sometimes a first aid room), people trained in first aid on each shift, and a record of every first aid treatment given.

Every province sets its own rules, usually in a first aid regulation or in its health and safety regulations, and in some provinces the workers' compensation board writes them. The amount you need generally depends on how many workers are on a shift, how hazardous the work is, and how far you are from a hospital or medical help.

For a small business, the basics are often simple: a stocked kit that matches the provincial list, at least one trained person on site when required, and a log book. But a remote job site or a hazardous workplace may need more, such as a higher level of training or a way to transport an injured worker.

How it works

Start by working out your category. Look up your province's first aid rule and find where you fit by number of workers per shift, the hazard level of your work, and travel time to medical care. That tells you the size of kit you need and whether you need a trained first aider, and at what level.

Set up the kit and the people. Buy or build a kit that matches the province's list, not just a generic store kit, and put it where workers can reach it quickly. If you need trained first aiders, arrange for the right course, schedule so that one is on site whenever the rule requires, and track when each certificate expires. Post the names of first aiders and the kit location where staff can see them.

Record every treatment, even small ones. A first aid record should show the date and time, the worker's name, what happened, the injury and what treatment was given. These records help you spot patterns and can matter later if a minor injury turns into a workers' compensation claim.

Common mistakes: kits that were never restocked after use, a single trained person who is often off shift, certificates that quietly expired, and treating mobile crews as covered by the kit back at the shop. Vehicles and remote crews usually need their own kits.

First aid requirements by province

Every province sets its own first aid rules, and they differ in kit contents, training levels and the worker numbers that trigger each requirement.

Where the work is done	The rule
British Columbia	You do a first aid assessment based on the number of workers present, the hazard rating of the work, and how remote and accessible the workplace is. Tables in the OHS Regulation then set the minimum kit and first aid attendant level.
Alberta	Requirements depend on how hazardous the work is, the travel time from the work site to a health care facility, and the number of workers on each shift.
Ontario	Set by Regulation 1101 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. With 5 or fewer workers on any shift, at least one person on site needs a Basic First Aid certificate; with 6 or more, an Intermediate First Aid certificate. Kit contents step up at 1 to 5, 6 to 15 and 16 to 199 workers per shift, and 200 or more need a first aid room. The first aid station needs the WSIB poster (Form 82), and kits must be checked at least 4 times a year.

We have not yet confirmed the rules in the other provinces, the territories or for federally regulated workplaces. Check your provincial safety regulator or workers' compensation board.

Example: A kit and a first aider for a small bakery

Maya runs a bakery in Moncton with 9 staff, about 5 on each shift. Ovens, knives and mixers mean burns and cuts are the main risks, and the hospital is a short drive away.

Maya looks up New Brunswick's first aid rule for her shift size and hazard level, buys the kit on the provincial list, and mounts it by the back door with a burn kit beside the ovens. She sends two shift leads on a first aid course so one is always on site, posts their names, and keeps a first aid log in the office. She adds the certificate expiry dates to her calendar.

Hollis tracks the dates

Hollis tracks certification expiries, so you can see when an employee's first aid certificate needs renewing.

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Questions about first aid requirements

Do I need a first aid kit if I only have 2 employees?

In practice, yes. Every province expects employers to have first aid supplies; the size and contents depend on your province, the number of workers and the hazards.

How many staff need first aid training?

It depends on how many workers are on each shift, how hazardous the work is and how far you are from medical help. Check your province's first aid rule.

Do I have to record minor first aid?

Record it anyway. A log of minor treatments helps you spot patterns and supports a claim later if an injury gets worse. Check whether your province requires a set format.

Official sources

General information for Canadian employers, not legal advice. Rules differ by province and territory and change over time, so check with your provincial employment standards office (or the federal Labour Program if you are federally regulated) before you rely on it. See employment standards by province.

Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026.