As of February 2025, WorkSafeBC has provided additional updates and resources for the newly amended First Aid Regulations that went into effect on Nov 1, 2024.

To support manufacturers and food processors across the province, in 2024 MSABC summarized the changes, held webinars on the topic, and shared how our Safety Advisors are able to assist.

• Original news post about the new First Aid Regulations
• Lunch and Learn: Upcoming regulatory changes to occupational first aid
• Getting Compliant: The latest updates for BC’s occupational first aid regulations
• PDF Presentation on how MSABC supports and resources on First Aid

This week, WorkSafeBC has provided resources to aid in answering some of the outstanding questions and to provide more clarity on the following topics:

• First aid assessments
• First aid training and drills and equipment
• Remote and less-accessible workplaces

First aid assessments

All employers in B.C. are now required to prepare a written first aid assessment for each of their workplaces. These assessments determine what is required on-site in terms of equipment, supplies, facilities, and first aid procedures and protocols. Workers must be consulted for these assessments.

• NEW VIDEO | Written first aid assessments
• NEW VIDEO | Reviewing your first aid assessment and conducting drills
• ONLINE TOOL | Interactive first aid online assessment tool
  • This interactive tool was designed to help employers determine workplace class, hazard rating, and whether or not their workplace is less accessible. Upon completion of this tool, employers can download and print out the results from this tool and use this instead of completing the first aid assessment worksheet.

First aid training and equipment

During the webinar with WorkSafeBC, there were a number of questions around first aid training and certifications. These new resources aim to provide additional clarity.

• NEW VIDEO | First aid equipment and training
• A current list of workplace first aid training providers
• A list of Certificates accepted in B.C. shares sample images of WorkSafeBC approved certificates
  • If your certificate looks different, talk to your first aid training provider

If you have a valid first aid certificate earned outside B.C. and accepted by another provincial workplace health and safety regulator, here are the steps to get your certificate recognized by WorkSafeBC.

• Visit an approved training provider
  • You will need to bring government issued photo-ID and your valid first aid certificate earned outside B.C.
  • Some training providers may charge a fee for processing your application.
• Complete an application form
• Complete WorkSafeBC’s jurisprudence package
  • Keep a copy of the completed jurisprudence package should WorkSafeBC request proof of completion during an inspection.

Remote and less-accessible workplaces

A number of questions around what qualifies as a remote and less-accessible workplace also were asked during the webinar session last July. These resources have been developed to help employers better understand whether or not their facility and/or work location falls into this category.

• NEW VIDEO | Remote and less-accessible workplaces
  • This video goes into details about what factors are used to determine whether or not a workplace is remote and/or less-accessible
• ONLINE TOOL | Interactive first aid online assessment tool
  • The first few questions provide employers an easy way to identify whether or not a workplace is considered remote and/or less-accessible

Need more help?

If you need more help in updating your first aid program, reach out to an MSABC Safety Advisor. They can help you identify what changes are required for your existing first aid programs, provide you with a template program for first aid that meet current updated regulatory requirements, assist you with table top exercises for first aid drills, and help you complete your first aid risk assessments.

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