New workplace first aid requirements

Published on: September 13, 2024

On November 1, 2024, amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation for occupational first aid will come into effect. These amendments align the OHS Regulation with standards set by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). To meet the new requirements, B.C. employers will need to review their current first aid plans and adjust them if necessary.

By Steven Gilstead

“We continue to work toward implementation of the upcoming changes to workplace first aid requirements,” says senior prevention advisor, Diana Janke. “Over the past few months, we have launched the new workplace first aid curriculum. We also published several resources to help employers determine their minimum levels of first aid under the new requirements.”

New first aid curriculum now available

In the summer, WorkSafeBC released the new CSA-aligned curriculum for training providers. Starting in September, these training providers will only offer CSA-aligned programs.

“Under the new curriculum, the courses that were formerly known as OFA levels 1, 2, and 3 are now called basic, intermediate, and advanced,” says Janke. “Another change made was to shorten the duration of the intermediate course to two days from five. The basic and advanced first aid courses remain largely unchanged.”

First aid attendants can now take the new courses from an approved training provider. However, employers intending to use intermediate-level attendants before November 1 must also conduct a written first aid assessment and comply with the other requirements of the amended OHS Regulation.

What it means for current certificates

All OFA certificates are still valid until their expiry date. For example, a certificate issued April 9, 2024, will be valid until April 9, 2027. On November 1, all active OFA certificates will become equivalent to basic, intermediate, and advanced certificates.

Level 2 certificates expiring between July 2 and October 30, 2024, will be accepted as valid through October 31. Attendants do not need to hold an intermediate-level certificate until November 1. They must complete the intermediate course by October 31 to work as an intermediate-level attendant beginning November 1.

New resources available for employers

“We have published several resources to help employers with the changes to the OHS Regulation,” explains Janke. “These include preliminary revised OHS Guidelines, and an updated backgrounder. We also have a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document to help explain the changes.”

The FAQ covers key changes to the OHS Regulation, including:

  • Examples of less-accessible workplaces
  • Considerations for employers with multiple workplaces
  • How to take hospital closures and diversions into account
  • Types of vehicles acceptable for emergency transport

There is also a first aid assessment worksheet that employers can use to assess the first aid requirements for each workplace. This written assessment is a new requirement under the changes. Completing the worksheet will help employers determine the first aid services they need at their workplace.

Visit worksafebc.com/firstaid to find these resources and other details about the new requirements. More resources will be linked there in the coming months, including a video in September that will describe:

  • First aid assessments
  • Training and credentials
  • Equipment requirements
  • Workplace factors (including remote and less accessible workplaces)

This information originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. To read more or to subscribe, visit WorkSafe Magazine.

Featured Content

  • Ask an officer: Upcoming regulation changes to improve tower crane safety

    Published on: September 12, 2024

    In 2021, a tower crane collapse in Kelowna took the lives of five workers, and earlier this year several crane-related incidents occurred, including a fatal incident in Vancouver that claimed the life of a worker.

    News | WorkSafe Magazine
  • Simple yet effective solutions for MSIs in long-term care

    Published on: September 18, 2024

    Often, small changes can have a big impact. This is especially true when workers and employers come together to identify effective control measures in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs).

    News | WorkSafe Magazine
  • Sound hearing protection leads to safer jobsites

    Published on: September 18, 2024

    With constant sounds of heavy machinery, power tools, and other activities, construction sites are noisy places — and all that noise can be a serious hazard to workers. One large construction firm has taken significant steps to prevent noise-induced hearing loss among its workers and contractors.

    News | WorkSafe Magazine
  • An ear for safety: Wearing earplugs correctly

    Published on: September 18, 2024

    When workplaces have high levels of noise, the proper use of hearing protection is essential for preventing noise-induced hearing loss.

    News | WorkSafe Magazine
  • Hiring program helps find the next right fit

    Published on: September 18, 2024

    Larry Cheslock wasn’t sure what the future held after being injured by falling machinery in his workplace, but he knew that he wanted to re-enter the workforce as soon as he was able. Thanks to WorkSafeBC’s Hire a Worker program, Cheslock was connected with a Courtenay-based employer when he was ready to embark on his return-to-work journey.

    News | WorkSafe Magazine
  • B.C. student’s safety video takes top spot at national contest

    Published on: September 18, 2024

    It’s the first time a B.C. entry has won the top national prize. The win tops off one of the most successful years of the WorkSafeBC Student Safety Video Contest.

    News | WorkSafe Magazine
  • Toward psychological health and safety

    Published on: September 18, 2024

    Managing psychological health and safety in the workplace is as important as managing physical health and safety. A psychologically healthy and safe workplace prevents harm to workers’ mental health and promotes well-being.

    News | WorkSafe Magazine