WSIB First Aid Requirements
WSIB First Aid Requirements in Ontario: The Complete Employer Guide
Receive WSIB-Approved First Aid Training in Your Workplace
Are you searching for first aid and CPR training that is approved by WSIB without having to move your team out of your workplace? With Heart Starters Inc., you can receive the training you need right where you work and with as few as 10 members per session.
Kindly take note that 5 employees refer to the workplace requirement, while 10 participants pertain to the required number for on-site training of Heart Starters Inc. Get in touch with Heart Starters Inc. today to schedule your customized training session.
What Does "WSIB Approved" Actually Mean?
A WSIB-approved course fulfills Regulation 1101 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and conforms to the CSA Z1210:24 training standard; the textbook covers the number of first aiders required by the organization, their required training, and first aid equipment stocking requirements.
To be counted towards fulfilling your requirements, a course has to be
- Conducted by an authorized certifying organization (Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, or Heart & Stroke Foundation)
- Conducted following the current CSA Z1210:24 curriculum
- Offered in person with hands-on practical assessment, not just theoretical learning
- Correctly certified for the right validity period (usually three years)
This is another place where course naming comes into play. The levels of first aid training in Ontario have been retitled as part of CSA Z1210:24, whereby the former Standard First Aid has become Intermediate (Standard) First Aid with CPR/AED Level C, while the former Emergency First Aid has been changed to Basic (Emergency) First Aid with CPR/AED Level C. Both the old and new titles are still popular search terms, and both should be included on the appropriate certificate.
How Many Employees Need CPR Training by Law in Ontario?
Well, the question arises that most companies come to this webpage to find out, so without further ado, here’s what the regulation says. According to Regulation 1101, one trained first aid responder must be present in all places of work where there are at least five employees, with that number increasing as the total number of workers does.
| Workplace size (per shift) | Minimum Certified First Aiders |
|---|---|
| 1-5 workers per shift | Basic (Emergency) First Aid + CPR-C/AED |
| 6+ workers per shift | Intermediate (Standard) First Aid + CPR-C/AED |
| Higher-hazard workplaces (e.g., construction, manufacturing) | Requirements increase—often more first aiders per shift, regardless of headcount |
A few consistent employer mistakes:
- It’s per shift, not per building. If you have two shifts, you need qualified coverage for each one, not just one trained individual who is off shift by 3 pm.
- Higher-risk classification means a more rigorous ratio, despite fewer people. Industries such as construction or food processing must consider that they may need higher coverage compared to lower-risk offices with the same number of people.
- The two terms “CPR training” and “first aid training” usually come together. The vast majority of employers require certification in both CPR and first aid, and both are provided within one course (CPR AED Level C is included in intermediate and basic first aid courses).
If you are not sure about which classification your workplace falls into, it is best to over-certify a bit to make sure you won’t lack a first aider during a particular shift when WSIB audits you.
WSIB Approved Course Options
Heart Starters Inc. provides you with all the courses approved by WSIB that will help you comply with Regulation 1101, all provided at your site for groups of ten participants or more:
- Intermediate (Standard) First Aid with CPR/AED Level C (formerly Standard First Aid)—most popular among all Ontario workplaces; includes a full set of scenarios for injuries and emergency situations along with CPR and AED procedures.
- Basic (Emergency) First Aid with CPR/AED Level C (formerly Emergency First Aid)—An introductory course that covers basic first aid and CPR skills, appropriate for low-hazard workplaces and new employees.
- CPR and AED certification course (Level C) – offered separately or combined with any first aid course.
- WHMIS training—for workplaces dealing with controlled products.
- BLS (Basic Life Support) – for workplaces that need a healthcare-provider-level resuscitation course.
All of the courses are taught by instructors trained by a WSIB-approved following the most recent CSA Z1210:24 curriculum, not some generic in-house training course.
Why Train On-Site With Heart Starters Inc.?
The fact that there is no set classroom is precisely the idea behind it. Rather than extracting your team from the premises for a whole day, we take certified trainers right to your workplace, where your group usually meets: in your office, warehouse floor, workplace, or boardroom.
- We come to you, anywhere within our Ontario service region—Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Brampton, London, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Oakville, Burlington, Vaughan, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Stoney Creek, Grimsby, and Bolton.
- The minimum number of participants required is 10 persons. If your group is smaller, then you can get a few more colleagues from another department or an adjacent business.
- Experience of 30 years providing corporate training services in Ontario since 1995, in different fields like construction, daycares, dentists, retail, hotels, food & beverages, golf courses, clothing and fashion, universities and colleges, and sports clubs.
How to Verify Your Training Is WSIB Approved
Before booking, please ensure that the provider you choose, such as us, can answer the following questions:
- What agency issues the certificate? (Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, Heart & Stroke Foundation)
- Does the course adhere to CSA Z1210:24 using current names for the course?
- Is there a live skill evaluation component and not solely online modules?
- Can the certificate number be verified through the agency that issued it?
- Are the instructors currently certified at the trainer level?
If a provider cannot provide clear answers to these questions, it is possible that your certificate will not meet the requirements of Regulation 1101.
FAQs
How many employees must be trained in CPR as a result of legislation in Ontario?
Are WSIB-approved courses the same as Red Cross or St. John Ambulance?
Yes, WSIB-approved certificates are obtained from accredited agencies such as the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation, following the CSA Z1210:24 Standard.
What is the smallest number of people that you will train in CPR?
10 people. If you do not have 10 people, you can join or merge with another group to get to the minimum number of participants.
Do you come to our place of work, or do we come to yours?
We come to you. There is no set classroom location at Heart Starters Inc.; all training is provided at your office or workplace.
For how many years is a WSIB-approved first aid certification valid?
For three years, after which recertification becomes necessary to meet the requirements of Regulation 1101.
Is "Standard First Aid" a valid title for this course?
It is the same course; it just got a new name in accordance with CSA Z1210:24 – Intermediate (Standard) First Aid with CPR AED Level C.