First Aid Regulations for Employers: Based on WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC has established comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of workers in British Columbia. One of the critical components of these guidelines is the provision of first aid services. This guide provides employers with an overview of the first aid regulations, helping them understand their responsibilities and ensure compliance.

Employers with a workforce of 20 or more workers and at least one workplace with moderate to high injury risk, or employers with 50 or more workers, must initiate and maintain an occupational health and safety program. This program applies to all of the employer's operations.

 3.1 When program required 

For operations with fewer workers than mentioned in section 3.1, employers must maintain a less formal program. This includes regular monthly meetings with workers to discuss health and safety matters, addressing unsafe conditions and practices, and keeping records of these meetings.

 3.2 Small operations 

The occupational health and safety program should aim to prevent injuries and diseases. It must include a statement of aims, regular inspections, written instructions, periodic management meetings, incident investigations, record maintenance, and worker instruction and supervision.

 3.3 Contents of program 

Employers must ensure regular inspections of all workplaces, including equipment, tools, and methods, to prevent the development of unsafe working conditions.

 3.5 General requirement 

Defines terms related to first aid, such as "first aid", "first aid attendant", "injured worker", and "injury".

 3.14 Definitions 

Employers must ensure that designated first aid attendants are at least 16 years old, have completed the required first aid training, and hold a valid first aid certificate.

 3.15 First aid attendant qualifications 

Outlines the basic requirements for first aid in the workplace.

 3.16 Basic requirements 

Details the procedures to be followed for first aid in the workplace.

 3.17 First aid procedures 

Emphasizes the importance of communication and the availability of first aid services in the workplace.

 3.18 Communication and availability 

Employers must maintain records related to first aid incidents, treatments, and procedures.

 3.19 First aid records 

Addresses the requirements for first aid in workplaces with multiple employers.

 3.20 Multiple employer workplaces

Outlines the responsibilities of first aid attendants in the workplace. They must be available to provide first aid, ensure injured workers receive treatment, and accompany seriously injured workers to the hospital. They must also maintain first aid records and equipment.

 3.21 First aid attendant responsibilities 

If air transportation is the primary means of transporting an injured worker to medical treatment, the employer must ensure that an effective communication system is in place and that the transportation is readily available during working hours.

 3.17.1 Air transportation 

This section provides guidelines on the minimum levels of first aid required for different workplaces. The requirements are based on the number of workers present at the workplace and the distance in travel time to a hospital. The guidelines are presented in tabular format, which categorizes workplaces based on the aforementioned criteria and specifies the level of first aid services, equipment, facilities, and attendants required for each category.

Here's a rough breakdown of what the tables in Schedule 3-A represent:

1. Number of Workers: This indicates the range of workers (e.g., 1-10, 11-50, etc.) present at the workplace.
2. Travel Time to Hospital: This specifies the estimated time it would take to travel from the workplace to the nearest hospital. It helps determine the level of first aid required, especially for remote locations.
3. Level of First Aid Services: Based on the number of workers and travel time, this column indicates the minimum level of first aid services required. It could range from basic first aid kits to more advanced services.
4. Equipment and Facilities: This column lists the type of first aid equipment and facilities required for the workplace. It could include items like first aid kits, dressing stations, or even first aid rooms for larger sites.
5. First Aid Attendants: This indicates the number and level of training of first aid attendants required for the workplace. For instance, some workplaces might need multiple attendants with advanced first aid training.

It's essential for employers to refer to these tables to ensure they provide the appropriate level of first aid services for their specific workplace conditions.

Details on WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC's guidelines emphasize the importance of various aspects of workplace safety, from training and equipment to addressing workplace violence. Employers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these regulations and ensure their workplaces are compliant. For a comprehensive understanding of the regulations and other related sections, always refer to the official WorkSafeBC guidelines and regulations.

 Disclaimer: The Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. (WorkSafeBC) publishes the online versions of the Workers Compensation Act (Act) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (Regulation) in accordance with its mandate under the Act to provide information and promote public awareness of occupational health and safety matters. The online Act and Regulation are not the official versions, which may be purchased from Crown Publications. WorkSafeBC endeavours to update the online Act and Regulation as soon as possible following any legislative amendments. However, WorkSafeBC does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of the online Act or Regulation, and neither WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any person for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, arising from the use of the online versions. Employers are legally obligated to make a copy of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation readily available for review by workers. The circumstances under which WorkSafeBC may consider an employer's providing access to electronic versions of the Act and Regulation to have satisfied this obligation are described in OHS guideline G-P2-21(2)(f).