First Aid Requirements for Ontario Workplaces (WSIB Regulation 1101)
Every workplace in Ontario, regardless of size, is required to provide first-aid coverage under WSIB Regulation 1101. The regulation sets out both the certification your workers need and the first-aid kit and equipment you must keep on hand. What changes from one workplace to the next is not whether the rule applies, but how much coverage you need, and that scales with the number of workers you have on shift.
This guide explains how those requirements work, what recently changed in how the certificates are named, how long a certificate stays valid, and how to choose a training provider that WSIB recognizes.
How much first aid does your workplace need?
Regulation 1101 ties your first-aid obligation to the number of workers on a single shift. As the count rises, so does the level of certification and the size of the first-aid kit you must stock.
| Workers per shift | Certification required | Kit and equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | Basic First Aid | Section 8 kit |
| 6–15 | Intermediate First Aid | Section 9 kit |
| 16–200 | Intermediate First Aid | Section 10 kit, plus a stretcher and blankets |
| 200+ | Intermediate First Aid | A first aid room staffed by an RN or equivalent |
The kit numbers refer to the sections of Regulation 1101 that define what each kit must contain. A small office with a handful of staff needs a Basic First Aid certificate holder and a Section 8 kit. A large industrial site with more than 200 workers on shift needs Intermediate First Aid coverage and a dedicated first aid room with a registered nurse or equivalent on site.
If you are not sure which tier applies to your operation, count the workers present on your busiest single shift, not your total headcount across the week.
The June 2026 naming change (Basic and Intermediate)
As of June 22, 2026, WSIB aligned its first-aid training requirements with the national standard CSA Z1210:24. As part of that alignment, two familiar course names changed:
- Emergency First Aid is now called Basic First Aid.
- Standard First Aid is now called Intermediate First Aid.
The training levels themselves map directly onto the old ones, so the change is primarily one of terminology. If your workers already hold Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certificates that are still valid, those certificates remain recognized until they expire. You do not need to re-train anyone early simply because the name on the certificate changed. When it comes time to renew, they will be certified under the new Basic or Intermediate names.
How long is a certificate valid?
Most first-aid and CPR certifications are valid for three years from the date they are issued. That applies to Basic First Aid, Intermediate First Aid, and the CPR levels that go with them.
The main exception is Basic Life Support (BLS), which is valid for one year. BLS is the level typically held by healthcare providers and trained responders, and its shorter renewal cycle reflects the more advanced skills it covers.
To stay compliant, track the expiry date on each worker's certificate and schedule recertification before it lapses. A gap in coverage can leave your workplace short of what Regulation 1101 requires.
Choosing an approved provider
WSIB only recognizes first-aid training delivered through an approved certifying body. When you book training, confirm that the course leads to a certificate from one of these organizations:
- Canadian Red Cross
- St. John Ambulance
- Heart & Stroke Foundation
- Lifesaving Society
- Canadian Ski Patrol
A certificate from a provider outside this list may not satisfy your Regulation 1101 obligation, so it is worth checking before you enrol your team.
Frequently asked questions
Does Regulation 1101 apply to very small businesses? Yes. The regulation applies to all Ontario workplaces regardless of size. Even a workplace with one to five workers per shift needs a Basic First Aid certificate holder and a Section 8 kit.
We already have Standard First Aid certificates. Do we need to re-train because of the June 2026 change? No. Existing valid certificates remain recognized until they expire. When you renew, the training will be issued under the new Intermediate First Aid name.
How is the required tier decided, by total staff or by shift? By the number of workers on a shift. The tiers in Regulation 1101 are based on workers per shift, so a business with many part-time staff may still fall into a lower tier if fewer are present at any one time.
How often do certificates need to be renewed? Most first-aid and CPR certificates are valid for three years. Basic Life Support (BLS) is the exception, valid for one year.
Get certified with Siren Safety
Siren Safety & Rescue delivers WSIB-recognized first-aid and CPR training across Northern Ontario. To find the right course for your workplace, start with our First Aid / CPR Training overview, or go directly to Basic First Aid & CPR for workplaces with five or fewer workers per shift and Intermediate First Aid & CPR for larger teams.
Book first aid training · Call 705-806-SAFE