University First Aid Program – Frequently Asked Questions

First Aid Training / Frequency Asked Questions

Last Updated: August 1, 2024

1. Who requires First Aid certification? And how can I get certified?


All businesses, including the University, covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) are required to have first aid equipment, facilities, and trained personnel in all workplaces. 

According to Regulation 1101, all workplaces in Ontario covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) must provide first aid training to their employees. For workplaces with six or more people working on any shift, at least one must have a standard first aid certificate. 

All University staff are eligible to volunteer to be an identified First Aider (e.g., trained and certified in Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C) for their work area. A trained first aider should be available to provide prompt treatment. For example, departments should not choose someone to be a first aider if they often work off-site or in closed-door meetings.

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) will pay for up to two people (to cover absences and illnesses) per first aid kit (station) installed to participate in a standard first aid workplace training. Link to registration form and schedule: First Aid Training – Environmental Health & Safety (utoronto.ca).

2. What is the required ratio of certified first aiders to employees?


There is no required ratio of trained first aiders to total employees under Regulation 1101. Workplaces must have always at least one person on site who has a valid first aid certificate.

It is best practice for businesses to assess their workplace to determine how many first aiders / first aid stations they need based on factors such as the size and layout of the workplace, hazards present, and previous history of incidents for example. A first aider should be able to reach an injured person within two minutes. Contact ehs.office@utoronto.ca if you require assistance with this determination.

3. How many first aid kits are required at a workplace? And where should I obtain one from?


There is no ratio of first aid kits to employees. The department needs to make sure that first aid kits are easily accessible so that people can reach or access a first aid kit quickly. Departments decide on the number of first aid kits needed for their respective areas and assign volunteer certified first aiders to take care of specific first aid kits.

A first aid kit is typically portable and should NOT be kept in a locked cabinet, drawer, or room. It should be in an area where it is visible or marked with a sign identifying its location.

A first aid kit can be put together using the first aid kit/room lists from Regulation 1101, refer to FAQ no. 7. The other option is to purchase a ready-made first aid kit from a supplier of your choice. EHS does not endorse any particular branded first aid kit or vendor. First aid kits can be purchased from your usual stationary supplier, University uSOURCE (https://www.procurement.utoronto.ca/programs-and-services/usource), Canadian Red Cross (https://www.redcross.ca/) or other.

4. Is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training the same as first aid training?


No, CPR training is not the same as first aid training. There is a CPR component to first aid training recognized by the WSIB provided through the EHS training called Level C and includes CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants.

5. Where should I have a first aid kit? And what should the first aid station include?


First aid kits should be part of a complete first aid station. Departments should place first aid stations strategically throughout their workplace. These first aid stations* should :

*(this includes first aid kits in laboratories)

6. Where should you have first aid stations? How many should you have?


When you have multiple buildings, you should treat each building as an individual workplace. All vehicles used for work purposes, including personal vehicles, should also have a first aid kit and supplies.

Refer to FAQ no. 7 and checklists for guidance on which first aid kit to purchase: (see Resources and Required Postings: First Aid Training – Environmental Health & Safety (utoronto.ca)

7. What contents are required in first aid kits?


You can find the list of required items in Sections 8 to 13 of Regulation 1101. The list is different depending on the size of the workforce. The regulation is based on the number of full time workers/employees at the workplace per shift. Effective January 1, 2020, the WSIB will accept the CSA Z1220-17 First aid kits for the workplace.

To meet the Regulation 1101 first aid obligations under WSIA, workplaces have the option of supplying the Regulation 1101 First aid kit requirements or CSA Z1220-17 First aid kits for the workplace. Refer to our EHS Checklists (Regulation 1101 or CSA) available for download under Resources and Required Postings: First Aid Training – Environmental Health & Safety (utoronto.ca).

You should also include a pocket mask or other barrier device for CPR and multiple pairs of non-latex gloves in your first aid kit. Performing the breaths/ventilations always creates the potential for personal infection/contamination, which can be mitigated with the use of a pocket mask with a one-way valve to help protect themselves.

If purchasing blankets individually (not already in a first aid kit), purchase from first aid supply companies such as the Canadian Red Cross. First aid blankets are commonly made of mylar or are fibre-based. Traditional fibre-based blankets take more space to store and will need to be laundered after use.

Some environments (e.g. machine shops, labs, etc.) may have additional first aid kits/supplies due to the nature of the activities that take place. These kits are separate and do not need to meet WSIB requirement for content. For labs in particular, be aware of hazard-specific special requirements. For example, prior to entering a biosafety-permitted lab, open wounds, cuts, and scratches must be covered in a manner that prevents exposure; thus, the first aid kit must be stocked with waterproof adhesive bandages.

8. Should over-the-counter medication, prescription medication or ointments be included in first aid kits?


Over-the-counter medications (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen, topical antibiotic creams, etc.) cannot be included in first aid kits.

Do not provide medication to someone who has been injured or is ill. It could lead to an allergic reaction or could mask the severity of the injury or illness, which could delay getting needed medical attention.

In training, first aiders are not taught to use these items. Providing medication or applying ointment is outside the scope of what first aiders are taught to do.

EpiPens® are not required under Regulation 1101 and should not be included in the first aid kits.

Usually, individuals are to self-administer their own medication that they bring. In some instances, trained first aiders may be asked to assist administering medication that an individual brings with them, with the consent of the individual and if they are responsive and can identify the medication properly.

9. Are there alternative supplies workplaces can include in first aid kits?


Yes, some alternatives are approved for first aid kit contents. They include:

  • dressing forceps = single use tweezers
  • dressing scissors = single use scissors
  • denatured ethyl alcohol = single use antiseptic wipes
  • adhesive plaster and dressing = adhesive bandages
  • instrument sterilizer = no longer used by first aiders – use single use items and discard
  • enamel footbath = can use a stainless-steel bowl
10. Are businesses required to have automated external defibrillators (AED) at their workplaces?


AEDs are not required under Regulation 1101.

For a list of known AEDs on University of Toronto campuses, refer to the following UofT Maps:

11. What is required to comply with Ministry of Education (EDU) Regulation 137/15 of the Child Care and Early Years Act?


If you have questions about Regulation 137/15 of the Child Care and Early Years Act, you can contact the Ministry of Education. We administer First Aid Regulation 1101 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

If first aid is a requirement of a specific job, role, or work duties (e.g., lifeguard, early childcare, residence don, electrician, etc.), please speak with your supervisor for how to obtain first aid training.

12. Am I required to have a naloxone kit in my work area?


An employer is only required to provide at least one naloxone kit in each workplace if they are aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, of the risk of one of their workers having an opioid overdose.

The first aid training provided through EHS includes opioid poisoning awareness information.

Please refer to the University’s website on the subject: https://ehs.utoronto.ca/our-services/occupational-hygiene-safety/naloxone/

If person has reason to believe there is a risk of opioid overdose in their workplace environment, contact ehs.occhealth@utoronto.ca (refer also to the University Naloxone FAQ question no. 4 in the link provided above).

UofT Campus Safety has naloxone kits and the required training under the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act. Required training includes:

In the event of emergency, call 911 and Campus Safety (who will have a naloxone kit on their person when they arrive on scene). Refer to the Campus Status page for emergency contact numbers: https://www.utoronto.ca/campus-status.

References


WSIB First Aid Website: https://www.wsib.ca/en/firstaid

WSIB Regulation 1101 – First Aid Requirements: Regulation 1101 First Aid Requirements

EHS First Aid Training Website: https://ehs.utoronto.ca/training/first-aid-training/

University of Toronto First Aid Program https://ehs.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/First-Aid-Program.pdf

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development – Naloxone Kit Contents: https://www.ontario.ca/page/naloxone-workplace#section-3