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Why do we need first aid regulations?
Who is covered by these regulations?
Who is responsible for providing training
and supplies?
What are the duties of a first aid
attendant?
What are the requirements of the Form 82
poster?
What are the requirements for first aid
supplies, stations and inspections?
What are the requirements for accident
reporting?
Why do we need first aid regulations?
It is important that people receive immediate and appropriate medical attention
when they are injured or become ill at work. The Occupational Health and Safety
Act (OSHA) includes first aid regulations (Regulation 1101) that outline an
employer’s responsibilities in providing first aid in the workplace. Employers
are required to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and
trained personnel so that first aid can be given when necessary.
Who is covered by these regulations?
All provincial workplaces must comply with the first aid regulations. The size
and type of the organization determines the type of first aid certification that
is required and the type of first aid kit or first aid room that the employer
must provide.
In general, employers are required to:
| • | have certified first aid
workers/attendants at each work location
| | • | maintain a first aid station containing
all relevant information and supplies
| | • | update first aid boxes and their
contents and record the inspections
| | • | post the Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board (WSIB) poster, known as Form 82 (In Case of Injury at Work)
| | • | record all circumstances related to an
accident
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Read the Peel board’s
first aid policy.
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Who is responsible for providing training and
supplies?
The employer must pay for and maintain first aid supplies, services and training
for workers. First aid certification must be provided by organizations
recognized and approved by the WSIB.
What are the duties of a first aid attendant?
First aid attendants are responsible for the general control and supervision of
the first aid kit and the first aid room, if one is required. They must be
available at all times during their work day, or shift, to treat an injured or
ill person without delay (they must be available to leave at a moment’s notice).
First aid attendants must also keep their first aid certificates at their
workplace and be able to present them, upon request, to a government
occupational health and safety officer.
What are the requirements for the Form 82 poster?
The poster, entitled In Case of Injury at Work (Form 82), must be posted in
every workplace, in a location where all workers can see it. The poster outlines
the responsibilities of both the employer and the worker when an accident occurs
on the job. Supplies of the poster, in various sizes, are available free on
request from any WSIB office. For the office nearest you, please refer to the
WSIB website.
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What are the requirements for first aid supplies,
stations and inspections?
A first aid station must contain a first aid box with the required items. The
regulations provide different requirements for first aid supplies, based on the
number of workers in the workplace – for more information, consult Regulation
1101. No medication of any kind should be contained in the first aid box. First
aid attendants are not qualified under Ontario legislation to dispense
medication, including aspirin, acetaminophen, antacids, antiseptic powders or
ointments, etc.
All first aid items should be kept clean and dry and maintained in good
condition. First aid stations should be easily accessible and located in plain
view. They must also be supervised by workers (first aid attendants) who have
valid first aid certificates and work in the immediate vicinity of the stations.
The location or telephone number of the first aid attendants must be posted
throughout the workplace.
It is the responsibility of the first aid attendants to ensure that first aid
supplies are updated on a regular basis and maintained in good order. Attendants
must conduct inspections at least four times a year and sign the inspection card
for each first aid box, indicating the date of the most recent inspection.
In cases of injury or illness at work, a worker must:
| • | receive first aid right away. First
aid includes, but is not limited to: cleaning minor cuts, scrapes or
scratches, treating a minor burn, applying bandages, dressings, cold
compresses, cold packs, ice bags and/or splints, changing a bandage or a
dressing after a follow-up observation visit, and any follow-up for
observation purposes only.
| | • | tell the employer about the injury or
the possible onset of an illness or condition. The employer must provide
immediate transportation to a hospital, doctor’s office or the worker’s
home, if necessary.
| | • | claim benefits if the injury causes him
or her to seek health care. Health care includes services requiring the
professional skills of a health care practitioner (i.e., a doctor, nurse,
chiropractor or physiotherapist), services provided at hospitals and health
facilities, and prescription drugs.
| | • | claim benefits if the injury causes him
or her to:
| o | be absent from regular
work
| | o | require modified duties
at less than regular pay
| | o | require modified work at
regular pay for more than seven calendar days after the date of accident
| | o | earn less than regular
pay at regular work
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| | • | claim WSIB benefits by signing WSIB
Form 6 (Worker’s Report of Injury/Disease) and giving a copy of the form to
the employer
| | • | choose a doctor or other qualified
health professional. The worker must not change health professionals without
permission from the WSIB.
| | • | co-operate in health care treatment
| | • | co-operate in safe return to work
| | • | complete and return all WSIB forms
promptly
| | • | report to the WSIB any changes in
income, return to work status or medical condition
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What are the requirements for accident reporting?
Whenever a first aid attendant is required to administer first aid, the employer
must maintain a written record of the circumstances of the incident and the
first aid treatment or advice given to the worker. The employer must keep the
record for five years after the incident.
The record must contain the following information:
| o | name of injured or ill person
| | o | date and time of injury or illness
| | o | location and nature of injuries or
illness
| | o | time when first aid was given
| | o | first aid treatment involved
| | o | name of person providing the first aid
| | o | name of person to whom the injury or
illness was reported
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Do you know the certified first aid attendant in your workplace?
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If you work at the Peel District School Board, you can find a list of
first aid attendants and other important
first aid information.
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Are you interested in being a first aid attendant in your workplace?
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Speak to your supervisor. He or she will ask the board’s WSIB officer to give
you more details about the first aid program.
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