First Aid Program

We periodically need to review our first aid program to ensure Ontario is up to date with current Canadian first aid standards. This will help us ensure businesses receive better first aid training, leading to safer workplaces for the people of Ontario.

Our updated first aid program is expected to launch in 2026. We’ll provide updates on the new program as available.

No, Regulation 1101 is not changing at this time.

Yes, our aim is for our new training approach to meet the current CSA criteria.

We aren’t currently accepting any new applications from prospective workplace first aid training providers. We anticipate opening recruitment to prospective first aid training providers once we’ve updated the training standard. We’ll inform those who’ve previously expressed interest in becoming a first aid training provider directly and will update our website with information as available.

If you’d like to be added to the list of potential providers, please email first_aid@wsib.on.ca and we’ll let you know when we’re considering new providers.

All businesses covered by the WSIA are required to have first aid equipment, facilities, and trained personnel in all workplaces.

All businesses in Ontario covered by the WSIA must provide first aid training to their employees. The required training depends on the number of employees per shift:

• For workplaces with five or fewer people working on any one shift, at least one person must have an emergency first aid certificate. This program is 6.5 hours long and is offered by organizations across the province.
• For workplaces with six or more people working on any shift, at least one person must have a standard first aid certificate. This program is 13 hours long and is offered by organizations across the province.

As outlined in the WSIA, a worker is a person who has entered into or is employed under a contract of service or apprenticeship. You can review the WSIA for more information.

A dedicated first aider must hold an appropriate certificate and be able to provide prompt treatment. For example, you shouldn’t choose someone to be a first aider if they often work off-site or in closed-door meetings.

There is no required ratio of trained first aiders to total employees under

You should assess your workplace to determine how many first aiders you need based on things like the size and layout of your workplace. For example, a first aider should be able to reach an injured person within two minutes.

All employees, regardless of their employment status, must be given first aid treatment when they need it.

Yes. Businesses are required to cover the cost of first aid training and supplies. This includes covering wage costs for an employee’s time while they’re completing an approved first aid training program.

First aid kits should be part of a first aid station. You should place first aid stations strategically throughout your workplace. Your first aid stations should include:

• a first aid kit
• the  “In case of injury poster (Form 82)”
• a first aid inspection card
• a list of the first aiders in that area

First aid stations should be placed where people can easily access them for quick treatment at any time. This will look different for each workplace. You need to assess your workplace to ensure first aid stations are readily available. First aid stations must be easy to find and near an employee who has a valid first aid certificate.

All vehicles used for work purposes, including personal vehicles, should also have a first aid kit and supplies.

The list is different depending on the size of your business.

Your workplace can meet Regulation 1101 first aid kit obligations by supplying either the Regulation 1101 First aid kit requirements or the Canada Standard Association (CSA) Z1220-17 first aid kit. 

You can find a list of required items in sections 8 to 13 of the

You should also include a CPR mask or other barrier device and non-latex gloves in various sizes in your first aid kit. Over-the-counter medications cannot be included in first aid kits.

Businesses must inspect first aid equipment at least once every three months.

There is no ratio of first aid kits to employees. You need to make sure that first aid kits are easily accessible so that people can reach or access a first aid kit quickly.

A first aid kit should be portable and shouldn’t be kept in a locked cabinet, drawer or room. It should be in an area where it is visible or marked with a sign identifying its location.

You can put together a first aid kit using the first aid kit/room lists in our 

You can order or download and print a new in case of injury poster (Form 82).

Over-the-counter medications cannot be included in first aid kits.

Don’t provide medication to someone who has been injured or is ill. It could lead to an allergic reaction or could mask the severity of the injury or illness, which could delay getting needed medical attention.

In training, first aiders aren’t taught to use these items. Providing medication or applying ointment is outside the scope of what first aiders are taught to do.

EpiPens® aren’t required under Regulation 1101 and shouldn’t be included in the first aid kits.

Yes, some alternatives are approved for first aid kit contents. They include:

• dressing forceps = single use tweezers
• dressing scissors = single use scissors
• denatured ethyl alcohol = single use antiseptic wipes
• adhesive plaster and dressing = adhesive bandages
• instrument sterilizer = no longer used by first aiders – use single use items and discard
• enamel footbath = can use a stainless steel bowl.

AEDs aren’t required under Regulation 1101.

The first aid requirements for employees working off-site are the same as for employees working on-site (e.g., first aid stations and certified first aiders).

All work crews must have adequate first aid supplies and a trained first aider according to the size of the crew.

Regulation 1101 doesn’t have requirements around people working alone. However, working alone should be considered a hazard. All employees should have access to first aid supplies. As a best practice, employees who work alone should have emergency first aid training.

If you have questions about Regulation 137/15 of the Child Care and Early Years Act, you can contact the Ministry of Education. We administer first aid Regulation 1101 under the WSIA.

You should contact an approved first aid training provider to get certified or recertified.

Training must be delivered by a WSIB-approved first aid training provider. First aid training providers can subcontract to independent third-party providers. The names of these subcontracted providers are not included in the list of WSIB-approved providers.

All certificates for workplace first aid training, including those provided through independent third-party training providers, must be issued by the WSIB-approved provider to be compliant with Regulation 1101.

If you’re not sure if a first aid training provider is subcontracted by a WSIB-approved provider, you can contact the approved provider to confirm before you purchase a service.

Most first aid certificates are valid for a maximum of three years. Training providers may set a higher standard and issue their certificates with a two-year validation period.

Before your certificate expires you’ll need to complete the training again to maintain your certification.

You can renew your standard first aid certificate one time by completing a one-day standard first aid renewal course with the original provider before your original certificate expires. The new certificate will state “renewal” on it.

If you’ve already renewed your standard first aid certificate once, you’ll need to earn a new certificate from an approved provider when your renewed certificate expires.

There are some approved blended programs that use online learning for first aid theory, with skill demonstrations in a classroom with an instructor.

There are currently no approved online-only programs that meet the criteria for first aid training. Online-only programs don’t allow participants to show that they’ve learned the required skills.

No, CPR training isn’t the same as first aid training. There is a CPR component to first aid training we recognize. Any of the following, when taken as part of an approved emergency first aid or standard first aid program, would meet the requirements for the CPR component in Regulation 1101:

• CPR A: includes CPR techniques for adults only
• CPR B: includes CPR techniques for adults and children
• CPR C: includes CPR techniques for adults, children and infants
• CPR-HCP (Healthcare provider): covers all aspects of CPR skills and theory for adult, child and infant victims, including rescue breathing (artificial respiration) and the use of AEDs and bag-valve-masks (BVM)

Yes. If you have a first aid certificate from an approved provider in another province, we’ll accept the certificate until it expires. After the certificate expires, you must complete your first aid training with a WSIB-approved provider in Ontario.