January 13, 2026•4 minute read

WSIB First Aid Requirements for Ontario Employers

Under Ontario WSIB Regulation 1101, all workplaces regardless of the industry must maintain a minimum level of First Aid readiness. This includes trained workers, accessible First Aid kits, proper documentation, and valid certifications.

This guide breaks down everything employers need to know, including WSIB requirements, course levels, compliance standards, and how to easily register your team for workplace training.

What Is WSIB Regulation 1101 ¹?

Regulation 1101: First Aid Requirements is the provincial law that dictates the minimum First Aid standards for workplaces in Ontario.

It applies to every employer, including:

Construction sites
Offices & corporate spaces
Healthcare clinics
Manufacturing & warehouses
Retail & hospitality
Childcare centres
Government facilities
Self-employed workers with staff
Emergency service organizations

WSIB’s mandate ensures workers have immediate access to First Aid in the event of an emergency.

WSIB Requirements for All Ontario Workplaces

According to Regulation 1101, employers must comply with the following:

A Valid First Aid Kit

Workplaces must have a fully stocked First Aid kit that matches the size of the workforce and meets WSIB specifications.

Certified First Aid Responders

At least one employee with valid First Aid training must be available at all times when work is being performed.

Employees must hold:

Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C

(valid for 3 years, Canadian Red Cross certified)

or, for very small workplaces:

Emergency First Aid (1-day course)

(for workplaces with 1–5 employees only)

WSIB-Approved Training Provider

Training must be provided by an organization recognized by WSIB.
The Canadian Red Cross is one of the primary approved providers, and First Aid Connect delivers all workplace courses through Red Cross certification.

Accident Reporting Procedures

Employers must maintain:

First Aid records
Incident logs
Injury documentation

Workplace Signage

Clear signs must indicate:

Location of First Aid kits
Names of trained First Aid responders

Which Course Level Does Your Workplace Need?

WSIB sets clear standards based on the number of employees present at a workplace.

Workplaces with 1–5 Employees

Emergency First Aid & CPR / AED Level C is sufficient.

Workplaces with 6+ Employees

Standard First Aid & CPR Level C is required.

This includes:

Construction
Retail
Offices
Healthcare clinics
Warehouses
Manufacturing facilities
Schools & childcare programs

Recommended course:

Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C

Is BLS Required for WSIB Compliance?

For most workplaces, BLS is not required by WSIB.

However, certain sectors require or prefer BLS:

Healthcare
Dental clinics
Nursing staff
Paramedic and medical responders
High-performance athletic facilities

For those organizations, we provide:

Basic Life Support (BLS)

This certification is compliant and aligned with hospital-grade expectations.

How Often Must Workplace Certifications Be Renewed?

WSIB requires:

Standard First Aid: every 3 years
CPR: must remain valid (CPR typically aligns with SFA expiry)
BLS: renewed annually (for healthcare environments)

Workplaces should maintain ongoing coverage and ensure certifications don’t lapse.

Implementing a WSIB-Compliant First Aid Program

A strong First Aid program includes:

Employee training

Ensure enough certified staff are scheduled on every shift.

Training records

Keep accessible logs of:

Certification expiry dates
WSIB documentation
Incident reports

Proper kit placement

Kits must be:

Fully stocked
Clearly labeled
Easily accessible

Easy renewal process

Many businesses choose annual or semi-annual review cycles for compliance.

If you’re unsure which level your organization needs, we can walk you through the process.

Start here:
/business-group-registration/

Ottawa-Specific Information

Although WSIB requirements apply province-wide, businesses located in the Ottawa region can access local training through our:

Kanata training centre
Saint Laurent training centre
On-site training available anywhere in Ottawa
Group pricing and corporate scheduling options

All courses are Canadian Red Cross Certified, WSIB-approved, and valid for all Ontario workplaces.

To schedule a private group, visit:
/business-group-registration/

Conclusion

WSIB First Aid compliance is essential for every Ontario workplace — not just for legal reasons, but to protect employees and foster a safer work environment. Whether you're managing a construction site, office, clinic, school, or retail space, ensuring your team is properly trained can save lives.

We make workplace certification simple, flexible, and fully compliant with Regulation 1101.