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First aid requirements

First aid requirements

Employers are responsible for first aid in the workplace, ensuring that injured workers can receive prompt and appropriate treatment and, if needed, be transported to medical aid without delay.

To determine the first aid needs of your workplace, first you'll need to do an assessment. Then, you can review the findings and take the necessary steps to put effective first aid procedures in place.

New first aid requirements in effect

Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to occupational first aid took effect November 1, 2024. To assist employers in implementing these new requirements, the following resources are available:

See the amended sections of the OHS Regulation and the corresponding OHS Guidelines. The preliminary guidelines are also posted for a 60-day period during which time stakeholders can comment and request revisions.

Conducting a first aid assessment
Developing first aid procedures

Maintaining first aid records
Resources

Conducting a first aid assessment

To determine an adequate and appropriate level of first aid coverage, the first step is to conduct and document a first aid assessment in consultation with workers. The assessment will help you determine the minimum level of first aid you need at your workplace.

The steps in a first aid assessment are outlined here. You can also use the First aid assessment worksheet to conduct and document your assessment.

Steps to first aid assessment

1

Identify the number of workers

First aid coverage must be based on the maximum number of workers present at each workplace. If you have multiple workplaces, you may need to complete an assessment for each location.
2

Identify your workplace hazard rating

Your minimum required first aid services are also determined by the hazard rating assigned to your workplace. You can find your rating on the classification unit description sent out every year or in this resource. (If workers will be doing work at a separate location that poses a greater risk than your assigned rating, you may need to use a higher hazard rating. See OHS Guideline G3.16 for more information.)
3

Determine if your workplace is remote or less accessible

The level of first aid service you need changes if your workplaces is less accessible and/or a BCEHS ambulance would normally take more than 30 minutes to reach your workplace.
4

Determine the required first aid services for your workplace

Refer to Schedule 3-A in the OHS Regulation to determine the minimum first aid equipment, supplies, facilities, and attendants you need.

If your workplace has unique hazards or risks, you may need to have additional first aid services to ensure injured workers will receive prompt and appropriate first aid and transport to medical care. See OHS Guideline G3.16 for more information.
5

Review your assessment

Review your assessment annually, or when there is a significant change in operations.

If you have a joint health and safety committee or worker health and safety representative, you must involve them when you conduct your assessment. If your workplace is smaller and you don’t have a joint committee or worker representative, look for ways to involve workers in the assessment during safety meetings or pre-job safety analyses.

Developing first aid procedures

You are responsible for keeping up-to-date written first aid procedures at your workplace. Your procedures must include:

The first aid equipment, supplies, facilities, attendants, and services available
The location of first aid
How to call for first aid, and how the attendant is to respond
Who is to call for transportation of injured workers to medical aid, and method of transportation including routes in and out of the workplace
Any barriers to first aid and how injured workers will be accessed and moved if those barriers exist
The authority of first aid attendants over the treatment of injured workers
The responsibility of employers to report injuries to WorkSafeBC

Once you have developed your first aid procedures:

Conduct a drill at least once a year or whenever your procedures change significantly. This drill should test the effectiveness of your procedures, including how well your communication system works and the ability of first aid attendants to respond. Drills also help you check your workers’ awareness of how to call for first aid and will determine if your first aid services are adequate to deal with injuries and illnesses most likely to happen in your workplace. OHS Guideline G3.17(4) contains more information about conducting drills.
Consider how you will maintain your system for managing the first aid services at your workplace and who will be responsible for this task. This includes ensuring that required first aid attendants, supplies, facilities, and equipment are always available.

Maintaining first aid records

As an employer, you must maintain proper first aid records and documents. You're also responsible for determining who can access those records.

Your responsibility involves:

Recording all reported or treated injuries and exposures that take place at your workplace
Keeping records and documents for at least three years
Limiting access to records and documents to only those with a need to review the records

For more details on acceptable record-keeping and access, see OHS Guideline G3.19.

Resources

First aid assessment

If you are an employer, you need to do a written assessment to determine the first aid equipment, supplies, and facilities required at each of your workplaces. This worksheet is provided to help you...

Publication Date: Jul 2024

PDF Form

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Changes to occupational first aid requirements: Frequently asked questions

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requirements for first aid in B.C. workplaces are changing on November 1, 2024. This resource answers questions employers may have about these changes so...

Publication Date: Jul 2024

PDF Information Sheet

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Backgrounder: Occupational first aid regulatory changes

WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors has approved amendments to Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, relating to the provision of occupational first aid. These amendments will take...

Publication Date: Jun 2024

PDF Legal Document

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Workplace First Aid Training Providers

This is a regularly updated list of training providers (public agencies and in-house training providers) that WorkSafeBC has approved to offer workplace first aid training in B.C.