Published on: February 28, 2025

The new occupational first aid requirements came into effect in November 2024. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions from employers across the province.

If my workers are working at a multiple-employer workplace with a prime contractor, do I need to worry about first aid requirements?

Prime contractors are responsible for coordinating first aid to ensure that first aid services are adequate for all workers on site. However, employers are ultimately responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their own workers, including first aid. Employers should confirm that any services provided by the prime contractor are sufficient for their workers.

If Schedule 3-A has the word “(transport)” beside the required first aid attendant, does that mean I also need transportation equipment and an emergency transportation vehicle?

No. If an emergency transportation vehicle is required by regulation, it will be indicated in Schedule 3-A as a separate item. Where workers are required to have transport endorsement, employers should work with their first aid attendants and other workers trained in rescue procedures to determine appropriate and practicable equipment needed to safely rescue and transport workers from less-accessible areas.

Do I need approval from WorkSafeBC if I want to provide additional first aid supplies or alternative transport equipment than those listed in the OHS Guidelines?

No, approval is not required. Employers have the flexibility to provide additional first aid supplies or alternative transportation equipment that are appropriate for their specific workplace location and potential hazards. If equipment or supplies are provided that differ significantly from those covered by the training taken by first aid attendants, employers are responsible for ensuring attendants are adequately instructed, trained, and supervised in appropriate and safe use of that equipment.

Why is a first aid attendant with transportation endorsement required for my workplace if emergency transportation is not required?

First aid attendants with transportation endorsement are needed for some types of workplaces that do not need emergency transportation. This can be for one of the following reasons:

• To minimize risk to injured workers during rescue from hazardous spaces
• To reduce transport time by preparing (packaging) an injured worker for rapid transport when assistance arrives
• To enable the use of other resources that may be available (such as workers from other employers, or members of the public) to assist with rescue or transport

What first aid services do I need when workers are assigned to work by themselves?

While Schedule 3-A does not specify minimum requirements for workers working alone, employers are still responsible for ensuring the requirements of section 3.16(1)(b) of the Regulation are fulfilled. This includes ensuring workers working alone have access to first aid and transport to medical treatment, if necessary. Employers must conduct a first aid assessment for workers working alone and ensure other regulatory requirements are met.

When more than one first aid attendant is required by Schedule 3-A, do they all need to be at the workplace at the same time, or can I schedule them to work different shifts?

Larger or more hazardous workplaces need multiple first aid attendants for several reasons:

• To provide trained assistance in the event of a serious injury
• To better manage events that result in multiple workers being injured at the same time
• To provide first aid coverage during breaks or when one attendant might be temporarily unavailable

For these reasons, all first aid attendants required by Schedule 3-A need to be present at the workplace during all shifts where they are required.

How do I calculate the number of workers at my worksite? Do I have to count visiting workers that are only there for a short time?

The number of workers used in the first aid assessment should be based on the greatest number of workers typically expected at the jobsite. First aid assessments are not expected to account for occasional visiting workers. However, if events are planned that are expected to significantly increase the number of workers, employers should conduct a separate first aid assessment for these special events. If the number of workers fluctuates in a predictable pattern based on shift, day, or season, employers may conduct separate assessments and provide different levels of first aid services as appropriate.

WorkSafeBC officers will determine compliance with first aid requirements based on the number of workers present at the workplace at the time of the inspection. Employers will be expected to explain how they determined the number of workers used in the assessment.

My workplace has rooftop equipment that can only be accessed by ladder. This equipment may need to be accessed by maintenance workers, electricians, HVAC technicians, etc. Is this considered a less-accessible workplace for the purpose of determining first aid requirements?

When workers access rooftop areas that are only accessible by ladder, the workplace must be considered less accessible. However, if workers can normally be restricted from accessing less-accessible areas, employers may base regular first-aid requirements on the workplace being not less-accessible.

A separate first aid assessment must be conducted prior to performing maintenance work in less-accessible areas, and a higher level of first aid and rescue equipment provided during those times, as necessary. Employers whose workers regularly access less-accessible areas must ensure there is a plan in place to rescue their workers from less-accessible areas. This is the responsibility of the workers’ employer unless otherwise agreed to by the owner or prime contractor of the workplace.

If my workplace has a moderate or high hazard rating, Schedule 3-A indicates I must provide a first aid attendant for crew sizes of two or more. Does this requirement apply for workers travelling between worksites?

When conducting a first aid assessment for workers travelling between worksites, employers may consider travelling on public roads in a vehicle designed and insured to operate on a highway to be a low hazard activity. If workers may be travelling on roads that are likely to be inaccessible to BC Emergency Health Services (such as off-road or on private roads), or in vehicles not designed to operate on highways, then the employer's normal hazard rating should be used to determine first aid requirements.

What first aid courses and certificates are accepted by WorkSafeBC?

WorkSafeBC has authorized training providers throughout B.C. to teach occupational first aid courses and to certify attendants. A list of these training providers can be found on our website: Workplace First Aid Training Providers. When determining if someone is qualified to act as a first aid attendant, employers should verify that they have a certificate accepted by WorkSafeBC. Information about certificates can be found at Certificates accepted in B.C.

For more information

View First aid requirements for more information about first aid in the workplace.

Please contact our Prevention Information Line at 604.276.3100 (Lower Mainland) or 1.888.621.7233 (toll-free) from 8:05 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., if you have a question about workplace health and safety.