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 - EHS.

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.

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, Canadian Red Cross, or other.

• a first aid kit;

• the "In Case of Injury" poster;

• a first aid inspection checklist (see Resources and Required Postings: First Aid Training - EHS); and

• a list of the first aiders in that area (see sample "First Aid Kit Located Here" sign under Resources and Required Postings: First Aid Training - EHS).

Refer to FAQ no. 7, checklists for guidance on which first aid kit to purchase (see Resources and Required Postings: First Aid Training - EHS).

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 yourself.

In a laboratory, 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.

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 with 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.

• 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.

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

• St. George Campus – AEDs

• Mississauga Campus – AEDs

• Scarborough Campus – AEDs

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.

WSIB now accepts CSA Z1220-17 First Aid.

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 FAQ Q. 7.

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

Please refer to the University’s Naloxone Website on the subject.

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:

• recognize an opioid overdose

• administer naloxone

• be acquainted with any hazards related to the administration of naloxone

References:

https://www.wsib.ca/en/firstaid

https://ehs.utoronto.ca/training/first-aid-training/

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

https://www.ontario.ca/page/naloxone-workplace#section-3