First Aid

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Employers must establish, maintain and visibly post all information about adequate first aid supplies, providers, equipment and facilities.

Summary

You must be prepared for first aid emergencies at your workplace. Under the First Aid Regulation, employers must establish, maintain and visibly post all information about adequate first aid supplies, providers, equipment and facilities.

As an employer (or a contractor) you must:

Provide and maintain first aid kits, first aid rooms and trained first aid providers. See subsection 7(0.1) [Reg. 2004-130, S. 7(0.1)] and Schedule A [Reg. 2004-130, Schedule A] for details about establishing kits, rooms, and training, as well as the number of first aid providers needed. Contractors on a project site must also provide and maintain first aid kits, first aid rooms, and trained first aid providers in a similar manner to all people who have access to the site. [Reg. 2004-130, S.4(2)]
Assess the potential risks, and adjust the first aid supplies, equipment, services, and facilities to match those risks. [Reg. 2004-130, S.4(3)]
Establish a communication plan so that employees can call for help. This plan must be in writing, describe how to contact help, provide directions and instructions on how to access the workplace, and be posted in a highly visible place. If posting is not possible, you must inform employees of the procedure. [Reg. 2004-130, S.5]
Prepare a transportation procedure that outlines how an injured or ill employee will be taken to the nearest health care facility. [Reg. 2004-130, S.6(1)] You must include suitable transportation methods given the potential distance and seriousness of injuries/illnesses, including:
- Protection from weather [Reg. 2004-130, S.6(2)(b)]
- Providing two-way voice communication with an emergency medical service while the person is being transported [Reg. 2004-130, S.6(2)(c)]
- Appropriate size and suitability to carry a stretcher and other persons [Reg. 2004-130, S.6(2)(d)]
Also, provide these measures for an isolated worksite. [Reg. 2004-130, S.6(3)]
Ensure the injured employee is accompanied by at least one first aid provider who is not driving the vehicle when transportation is required. [Reg. 2004-130, S.6(4)]
Designate one or more employees to be a first aid provider. Keep a record of their names and post the names in a visible place. If posting the names is not practical, each employee must be informed of the providers’ names. [Reg. 2004-130, S.7(1) - (3)] The employer may designate an employee who is a competent medical practitioner, nurse or paramedic as a first aid provider without requiring this employee to complete the workplace first aid training. [Reg. 2004-130, S.7(1.1)]
Ensure the first aid provider’s work does not interfere with their availability to provide first aid, and that the first aid provider has access to the protective equipment and accessories to safely carry out this function. [Reg. 2004-130, S.7(4)]
Make sure each employee who is a first aid provider is trained according toCSA Group Standard Z1210-17 (R2021). This training must be appropriate to the level of risk at the workplace or the nature of the work. [Reg. 2004-130, S.8(1)]

Basic first aid training is required for work that is not considered to be a high hazard
Intermediate first aid training is required for work that is a high hazard

Workplace first aid training must: [Reg. 2004-130, S.8(2) and (3)]

Be provided by a training agency that meets the requirements of the CSA Group Z1210-17 (R2021) standard for the development and maintenance of the training program,
Comply with the clauses of the standard, and
Be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer.
Include a knowledge component and practical skills demonstration of the minimum duration as set by the standard.

The organization providing the workplace first aid training must issue a workplace first aid certificate that meets the content and format requirements specified in the standard to all first aid providers who have shown the necessary competencies satisfactorily. The certificate will be valid from the date of issue for the length of time specified in the standard. [Reg. 2004-130, S.8(4) and (5)]
First aid kits are equipped as outlined in CSA standard CSA Z1220-17, "First aid kits for the workplace" which includes the size, quantity and distribution of the kits according to the number of employees per shift, and the contents of the first aid kits. [Reg. 2004-130, S.11]
Make sure first aid kits are located at or near the area they are to service, are accessible during all work hours, and are maintained, clean, dry and serviceable. Signs must be posted to indicate the kits’ locations, and employers must make sure all employees are aware of the location of the kits and other first aid equipment or supplies. [Reg. 2004-130, S.13]

Additional requirements include:

Employees must report injuries or illnesses to their employer or supervisor as soon as possible. [Reg. 2004-130, S.9]
First aid providers must keep written records of the name of who was injured/ill, the treatment and care provided, a description of the incident, date, name of the person providing emergency care, and date the record was made. The employer must keep this record for three years. [Reg. 2004-130, S.10] If your place of employment has 100 or more employees per shift, the employer must provide a first aid room and ensure it meets the following requirements: [Reg. 2004-130, S.12]
- Is at least 10 m²
- Allows easy access to a person on a stretcher
- Is located as close as possible to the workforce, and is clearly identified with a sign
- Has a sink with hot and cold running water and easy access to a toilet
- Has the following supplies:
  - a first aid kit as required by the standard that is suitable for the particular risks of the workplace or work site, and for the number and location of the employees per shift.
  - telephone or other means of communication
  - an up-to-date list of emergency contacts
  - separate cubicle or divider, with a cot or bed equipped with a moisture-protected mattress, two pillows and two blankets
  - storage space, cupboard, counter, table, and two or more chairs
- Is under a first aid provider`s supervision
- Is kept in an orderly and sanitary condition
- The temperature is between 20°C and 24°C
- Is used only for providing first aid or health care and instruction to employees

The First Aid Regulation requirements do not apply if the workplace is a ferry, train, or a vehicle (used or likely to be used by an employee). [Reg. 2004-130, S.3]

Legislation

First Aid Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act

N.B. Reg. 2004-130

Schedule A FIRST AID REQUIREMENTS

Number of employees per shift	Place of employment with no high hazard work	Place of employment with high hazard work
2 - 19	1 first aid provider	1 first aid provider
20 - 49	1 first aid provider	2 first aid providers
50 - 99	2 first aid providers	2 first aid providers
100 - 199	2 first aid providers, one of whom must have access to the first aid room	3 first aid providers, one of whom must have access to the first aid room
200 or more	3 first aid providers, one of whom must have access to the first aid room	4 first aid providers, one of whom must have access to the first aid room
	1 additional first aid provider for each additional increment of 1-100 employees	1 additional first aid provider for each additional increment of 1-100 employees

Table

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 14]

Schedule B Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 15]

[S.N.B. 2016, c. 17, s. 3; N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 15]

Schedule C Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 2020-36, s. 3]

Section 3 Application

3. This Regulation does not apply to a place of employment that is a ferry, a train or a vehicle used or likely to be used by an employee.

Section 4 Employer responsibilities

4. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), an employer shall provide and maintain first aid kits, first aid providers and first aid rooms at a place of employment in accordance with the standards established in subsection 7(0.1) and with Schedule A for the maximum number of employees present during a shift.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), where a place of employment is a project site, the contractor shall provide and maintain first aid kits, first aid providers and first aid rooms in accordance with the standards established in subsection 7(0.1) and with Schedule A for all persons having access to the project site, and the provisions of this Regulation that apply to an employer apply to a con‐ tractor at every project site for which the contractor is responsible for the health and safety of persons having access to the project site.
(3) The requirements set out in this Regulation are minimum requirements, and each employer shall assess the risks that employees are likely to encounter at a place of employment and shall ensure that there are adequate first aid supplies, equipment, services and facilities in place for the provision of first aid, having regard to those risks.

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 2]

Section 5 Emergency communication procedure

5. (1) An employer shall ensure that an emergency communication procedure is established in order for employees to summon assistance in the event of an illness or accident of an employee.
(2) The communication procedure shall
- (a) be in writing,
- (b) describe how to contact assistance,
- (c) provide directions to the place of employment and instructions as to how to access the place of employment, and
- (d) be posted in a conspicuous place at the place of employment.
(3) Where the posting of the emergency communication procedure is not practicable, an employer shall ensure that each employee is informed of the contents of the emergency communication procedure.

Section 6 Emergency transportation

6. (1) An employer shall prepare, in writing, a transportation procedure that describes arrangements for the transportation of injured or ill employees from the place of employment to the nearest health care facility.
(2) Where it is necessary to move an injured or ill employee from an isolated site to another place in order to transfer to an ambulance, an employer shall ensure that the transportation is by a means that
- (a) is suitable, considering the distance to be travelled and the types of serious injuries or illnesses that may occur,
- (b) affords protection against the weather,
- (c) is equipped with a means of two-way voice communication with the emergency medical services to which the injured or ill employee is being transported, and
- (d) is of sufficient size and suitability to accommodate a stretcher and accompanying persons where required.
(3) An employer shall provide a means of communication to summon the transportation in the event of a medical emergency and shall ensure that transportation is readily available in the event of a medical emergency when work is carried out at an isolated site.
(4) Where an employee is seriously injured or needs to be accompanied during transport, an employer shall ensure that the employee is accompanied by at least one first aid provider who is not the operator of the transportation.

Section 7 First aid providers

7. (0.1) For the purposes of sections 7 to 13, standards for workplace first aid training and first aid kits are established by the adoption of the following standards:
- (a) CSA Group standard Z1210-17 (R2021) , First aid training for the workplace - Curriculum and quality management for training agencies; and
- (b) CSA Group standard Z1220-17 (R2021) , First aid kits for the workplace.
(1) An employer shall designate one or more employees to act as first aid providers and maintain a record of the names of each employee who is designated as a first aid provider.
(1.1) An employer may designate an employee who is a competent medical practitioner, nurse or paramedic as a first aid provider without requiring the employee to complete the workplace first aid training referred to in section 8.
(2) An employer shall post, at a conspicuous place at the place of employment, signs that state the names of first aid providers.
(3) Where the posting of a sign is not practicable, the employer shall ensure that each employee is informed of the identity of first aid providers.
(4) An employer shall ensure that a designated first aid provider
- (a) does not perform work of a nature likely to affect the ability to administer first aid, and
- (b) is equipped, when administering first aid, with a CPR resuscitation barrier device with one-way valve and gloves that comply with the requirements of CSA Group standard Z1220-17 (R2021) set out in subsection (0.1).

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 3]

Section 8 First aid training

8. (1) Subject to subsection 7(1.1), an employer shall ensure that each employee who is designated as a first aid provider is trained in accordance with CSA Group standard Z1220-17 (R2021) set out in subsection 7(0.1) in workplace first aid appropriate to the level of risk in the place of employment or the nature of the activities carried out in the place of employment, which is
- (a) for work that is not high hazard work, the basic training level, or
- (b) for high hazard work, the intermediate training level.
(2) Workplace first aid training shall meet the follow‐ ing requirements:
- (a) it is provided by a training agency that meets the requirements of the standard for the development and maintenance of the training program provided;
- (b) it complies with the clauses of the standard; and
- (c) it is approved by the Chief Compliance Officer.
(3) Workplace first aid training under subsection (1) shall include a knowledge component and a practical skills demonstration of the minimum duration set by the standard.
(4) An agency providing workplace first aid training shall issue a workplace first aid certificate that meets the content and format requirements specified in the standard to all first aid providers who have demonstrated the necessary competencies in accordance with the standard and who have completed the training with satisfactory results.
(5) A certificate issued in accordance with this section is valid from the date of issue for the duration specified in the standard.

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 4]

Section 9 Report of injury or illness

9. An employee shall report an injury or illness to the employer or to a supervisor as soon as circumstances permit after the injury or at the first signs of the illness.

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 5]

Section 10 Record of treatment

10. (1) A first aid provider shall prepare a written record that sets out the name of the injured or ill employee, a description of the injury or illness, the treatment and care provided, a description of the incident, the date of occurrence, the name of the person providing emergency care and the date the record was made.
(2) The record referred to in subsection (1) shall be prepared as soon as practicable after the injured or ill employee has received the emergency care.
(3) An employer shall ensure that a record referred to in subsection (1) is retained for a period of three years after the date on which it has been made.

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 6]

Section 11 First aid kits

11. An employer required to provide one or more first aid kits for the place of employment shall act in accordance with CSA Group standard Z1220-17 (R2021) set out in subsection 7(0.1) with respect to

(a) the minimum requirements regarding the size, whether small, medium or large, quantity and distribution of the first aid kits according to the number of employees per shift, and
(b) the contents of the first aid kits.

[N.B. Reg. 2020-36, s. 2; 2023-45, s. 8]

Section 12 First aid room

12. (1) For a place of employment with 100 or more employees per shift, an employer shall provide a first aid room and shall equip the room in accordance with paragraph (2)(e).
(2) The requirements for a first aid room are as follows:
- (a) has a minimum floor area of 10 m²;
- (b) is constructed to permit ease of access to a person on a stretcher;
- (c) is located as close as practicable to the work force it is to serve and clearly identified by a sign;
- (d) is equipped with a sink supplied with hot and cold running water with easy access to a toilet;
- (e) is equipped with the following supplies:
  - (i) first aid kits as required by the standard, having regard for the particular risks of the place of employment and the number and location of employees per shift;
  - (ii) a telephone or other effective means of communication along with an up-to-date list of emergency contacts;
  - (iii) a separate cubicle or a divider with a cot or bed equipped with a moisture-protected mattress, 2 pillows and 2 blankets;
  - (iv) storage space, a cupboard, a counter, a table and 2 or more chairs.
(3) An employer shall ensure that a first aid room
- (a) is under the supervision of a first aid provider,
- (b) is maintained in an orderly and sanitary condition,
- (c) has the temperature maintained between 20 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius, and
- (d) is used only for the purposes of providing first aid to employees or providing health care or instruction to employees.
(4) Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 9]

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 9]

Section 13 Location of first aid kits

13. An employer shall post signs at conspicuous places in the place of employment indicating the location of first aid kits and shall ensure that all employees are aware of the location of the kits and any related equipment or supplies

[N.B. Reg. 2023-45, s. 11]

14. Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 2023-45, ss. 12, 13]

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