The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Prince Edward Island will implement updated workplace first aid requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act General Regulations starting Jan. 1, 2025. The changes align with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) guidelines and aim to base first aid training and kit requirements on workplace-specific risk assessments rather than the number of employees.
“By adopting the CSA standards, we will have a clearer set of first aid training requirements that will create a more harmonized system across Canada,” said Danny Miller, the WCB’s director of occupational health and safety.
Under the new regulations, employers must conduct a workplace first aid risk assessment to determine the level of risk at each work site. The assessment will guide decisions on the appropriate first aid training levels and the selection of first aid kits.
To help employers comply, the WCB’s OHS Division has released an updated Workplace First Aid Regulations Guide. The guide includes detailed requirements and a template for conducting the risk assessments. A two-page summary of the regulatory changes is also available in a Prevention Update.
Employers are encouraged to review the updated regulations and conduct assessments before the new requirements take effect. Questions about the changes can be directed to the WCB’s OHS Division by phone or email.
The updated requirements are designed to improve workplace safety by addressing the specific risks unique to each workplace, ensuring that first aid resources and training are better tailored to employee needs.
Resources
Workplace First Aid Regulations Guide: https://bit.ly/44E4wZp
Workplace First Aid Regulations Prevention Update: https://bit.ly/3Vep8p3
Workplace First Aid Risk Assessment Template: https://bit.ly/4g1vDEj