Having safety in the workplace is not just about fire exits and ergonomic chairs. It also means being ready in cases where an employee falls ill or gets injured. A first aid needs assessment is an absolute necessity in the health and safety plans of all organizations — and the law mandates it in Canada in most instances.
At Heart Starters Inc, we believe that safety education should be proactive. Whether you operate a small office or a large industrial site in Hamilton, knowing how to assess your first aid needs adequately can keep people alive and keep the team safe.
What Is a First Aid Needs Assessment?
A first aid needs assessment helps you determine:
- How many trained first aiders you need
- What kind of first aid training is appropriate
- The type and quantity of first aid supplies required
- Any unique risks in your workplace environment
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, this assessment ensures your first aid strategy is tailored to your specific business and risk level.
Why It Matters
In Ontario, employers have a duty to provide their workers with appropriate first aid training as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Beyond pure legal requirements, an adequately prepared emergency team can better reduce the severity of injuries-or outright save-life from an unprepared circumstance.
Steps to Complete a First Aid Needs Assessment
Let’s break down the process step by step:
1. Evaluate Workplace Risks
Start by identifying potential hazards:
- Machinery or equipment?
- Chemicals?
- Physical labor or repetitive motion?
- Slips, trips, and fall risks?
Each hazard presents different levels of risk and may require a different first aid response.
2. Count Your Employees and Work Shifts
How many people are on-site at one time? Don’t forget:
- Shift workers
- Remote or off-site employees
- Visitors and contractors
Larger teams or multiple shifts may need more trained staff to ensure 24/7 coverage.
3. Assess Location and Accessibility
Is the workplace nearby a hospital and emergency services? Would an ambulance reach you in perhaps minutes? In the absence of any emergency infrastructure, getting employees with CPR and first aid training and probably with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) would be very ideal.
4. Identify the Right Type of Training
There are different levels of first aid training:
- Emergency First Aid & CPR – for low-risk, small workplaces
- Standard First Aid & CPR – for larger or higher-risk environments
- CPR/AED only – useful for environments with cardiac risks or high foot traffic
Heart Starters Inc offers Red Cross-certified courses in all categories, available as in-class or blended learning in Hamilton and surrounding areas.
5. Consider Special Workplace Factors
These may include:
- Lone workers
- High temperatures or outdoor environments
- Language barriers among staff
- Employees with known medical conditions
Each of these could affect how your team responds to an emergency.
6. Document and Review Your Assessment
Once complete, write down your findings and update your health and safety documentation. This assessment should be reviewed:
- Annually
- After significant changes to your operations or team size
- After a workplace incident
Ready to Act on Your Assessment?
Understanding what your workplace needs is only the first step. Putting it into action is where the real protection begins. At Heart Starters Inc, we support employers across Hamilton with:
- Customized group first aid training
- CPR and AED certification
- On-site training options to meet your schedule and space
Let us help your team become confident, capable, and compliant.
Conclusion
Completing a first-aid needs assessment is never a mere check-the-box exercise; rather, it serves as an important tool for workplace safety by identifying risks and training the team accordingly for quick and apt response when that matters most. If you are seeking quality CPR and First Aid Training in Hamilton, Heart Starters Inc is here for you.
Contact us today to discuss your training needs.