First aid in the workplace training
First aid in the workplace training is part of the First Aid in the Workplace Program for which the CNESST is responsible. Under this Program, the CNESST:
- regulates training
- provides subsidie
- informs workplaces about the application of the First-aid Minimum Standards Regulation
The employer’s obligations with respect to first aid
The employer must:
- ensure that the number of first aiders required under the Regulation is present at all times
- post the names of first aiders in a visible place (in French only) in a visible place
- Forest first aiders must be identified differently than first aiders who have completed the first aid in the workplace course.
- appoint workers who will be first aiders, based on the number of first aiders required, and ensure that the nature of their work does not compromise their ability to administer first aid promptly and efficiently. A designated first aid attendant can be a worker from a different employer, as long as they hold a valid workplace first aid certificate and provide first aid service for only one facility at a time (e.g., a dedicated security guard at the employer's facility).
- register the appointed workers for training. The training must be given by a CNESST-certified training organization. When the employer designates a nurse or licensed practical nurse who is a regular member of his or her professional order, that person may act as a first aid attendant without having a workplace first aid certificate.
- recognize that first aiders are considered to be at work and pay them during their training and each time they are required to intervene as first aiders during their work hours
- provide an adequate number of first aid kits in the workplace in accordance with the standards
Number of first aiders required
An employer must ensure they have the required number of first aiders for their establishment, construction site or forest development work. Depending on the workplace and the number of workers or volunteers per shift, the number of first aiders varies.
| Number of workers per shift | Number of first aiders required |
|---|---|
| 50 or fewer workers | 1 first aider |
| 51 to 150 workers | 2 first aiders |
| 151 or more workers | Add one first aider for each group of 100 workers |
Employees who are present for less than 30 minutes and teleworkers are not taken into account in this calculation.
- Example of the number of first aiders required in establishments
Here is an example of the number of first aiders required based on the number of workers present in any one shift, for an establishment with 228 workers and 2 shifts. For this establishment, a total of 5 first aiders is required.
Shift Number of workers Number of first aiders required 1st shift 155 workers 3 first aiders 2nd shift 53 workers 2 first aiders Total 228 workers 5 first aiders
| Number of workers per shift | Number of first aiders required |
|---|---|
| 10 to 50 workers | 1 first aider |
| 51 to 150 workers | 2 first aiders |
| 151 or more workers | Add one first aider for each group of 100 workers |
| Number of workers per shift | Number of first aiders required |
|---|---|
| 5 or fewer workers | 1 first aider |
| 6 to 10 workers | 2 first aiders |
| 11 workers or more | Add one first aider for each group of 5 workers |
Specific provisions for first aid for forest development work
A first aider who has completed 40 hours of training specific to the forestry sector must be present at all times on a forestry work site where there are 10 or more workers. The presence of an additional forest first aider is mandatory for every 10 additional workers. The employer must provide for the replacement of a forest first aider who may be absent by training 1 or more additional first aiders to the minimum required.
If there are 9 or fewer workers, a forest first aider is not required to be present. The employer must ensure that it is possible to contact a forest first aider, a nurse, a paramedic emergency medical technician or a physician in the event of an accident. This communication must be effective to allow the person contacted to give first aid instructions to the person in the field.
Contacting 911 does not replace this requirement
First aid in the workplace course
To become a first aid worker and obtain a certificate, a worker must undergo training in accordance with section 2.1 of the First-aid Minimum Standards Regulation. This training is provided by one of the CNESST-certified training organizations. Every first aider must renew their occupational first aid certificate by taking the course again every 3 years.
How to register a worker for a first aid course
To register a worker for the first aid in the workplace course required in the Regulation, an employer must complete the Application for a first aid course (in French only) form and send it to the CNESST-certified training organization.