Ontario First Aid Requirements Calculator

First Aid at Work in Ontario — What Regulation 1101 Actually Requires

TL;DR

In Ontario, first aid is set by Regulation 1101 (WSIB) and scales off your largest single shift. 1–5 workers: Kit #1 + a Basic First Aid attendant (8 h, s. 8). 6–15: Kit #2 + Intermediate First Aid + CPR-C (16 h, s. 9). 16–199: Kit #3 plus 1 stretcher and 2 blankets (s. 10). 200+: a dedicated first aid room (s. 11). There is no first-aider ratio — one qualified worker in charge per shift is the legal minimum (s. 1). Inspect the box at least quarterly (s. 6). Certificate names changed June 22, 2026: Emergency First Aid → Basic First Aid, Standard First Aid → Intermediate First Aid.

Regulation 1101 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act is the single source of truth for first aid box contents, the certificate level of the worker in charge, and the first aid room threshold. It scales everything off one number: workers on the largest shift. OHSA s. 25(2)(h) makes it the employer's legal duty to take every reasonable precaution for worker safety, and a first aid program is the baseline every other safety measure builds on. Get it wrong and a Ministry of Labour inspector writes an order before they even look at the rest of the site.

How do Ontario's first aid tiers work?

Regulation 1101 uses four tiers, each keyed to the maximum number of workers on any single shift. According to Reg 1101 s. 8, a workplace with 1 to 5 workers needs a Kit #1 and a worker in charge holding a Basic First Aid certificate (the 8-hour course formerly called Emergency First Aid). Kit #1 is a short, specific list: a current first aid manual, a card of safety pins, 12 adhesive dressings, 4 sterile gauze pads (3 in / 75 mm square), 2 rolls of 2 in (50 mm) gauze bandage, 2 field dressings (4 in / 100 mm) or bandage compresses, and 1 triangular bandage. At 6 to 15 workers (s. 9) the box becomes a Kit #2 — 24 adhesive dressings, 12 gauze pads, four rolls each of 2 in and 4 in gauze bandage, 4 pressure-dressing surgical pads, 6 triangular bandages, splint padding, and a roll-up splint — and the certificate steps up to Intermediate First Aid + CPR-C (16 hours, formerly Standard First Aid). At 16 to 199 workers (s. 10) it is a Kit #3 (48 adhesive dressings, a basin, adhesive tape, twelve 1 in gauze rolls, 48 gauze pads, eight 2 in and eight 4 in rolls, six pressure pads, 12 triangular bandages, assorted splints) plus 1 stretcher and 2 blankets provided at the workplace. The certificate stays Intermediate + CPR-C. Beyond the prescribed items, the WSIB guideline says to add non-latex gloves and a CPR mask, and to keep medications and ointments out of the box. At 200 or more workers (s. 11) the station is replaced by a dedicated first aid room — see below.

Basic vs Intermediate First Aid — what each covers and costs

Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) is the entry-level course: 8 hours, typically one day. It covers CPR/AED at the adult (Level A) minimum, choking, control of severe bleeding, shock, and unconscious-casualty management. Budget $80 to $120 per person. Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) is 16 hours across two days. It adds CPR-C (adult, child, and infant plus AED), bone and joint injuries, burns, poisoning, chest, head and spinal injuries, and medical emergencies like diabetic crises, seizures, and severe allergic reactions. Budget $130 to $180 per person. Both certificates are issued by a WSIB-recognized provider and are valid 3 years. The WSIB renamed these certificates on June 22, 2026; the former names are accepted as equivalent. A certificate from a provider that is not WSIB-recognized does not satisfy Reg 1101 — the recognized-provider list is maintained at wsib.ca/firstaid, so confirm before you book. Note that Reg 1101 sets no ratio: the legal minimum is one qualified worker in charge of the station per shift (s. 1). One person cannot cover breaks, washroom trips, and separate work areas, so train extra — roughly one per 100 workers or per major work area is a sensible target, and s. 12 requires additional stations wherever the main one is not easily reachable.

When is a first aid room required, and what goes in it?

Regulation 1101 s. 11 requires a dedicated first aid room only when 200 or more workers are on a single shift. This is a treatment space, not a shelf with a kit on it. Per s. 11 it must contain a first aid manual; instruments (dressing scissors, forceps, safety pins, a graduated medicine glass, tongue depressors, cotton-tipped applicators); denatured ethyl alcohol; assorted dressings; hot and cold running water; 3 washbasins (preferably stainless steel); an instrument sterilizer; a cabinet for surgical dressings; an enamel foot bath; a covered sanitary disposal receptacle; an on-scene first aid box holding Kit #2 (s. 9(1)) contents for the attendant to grab at the scene; a couch, curtained off or in a separate cubicle; 1 stretcher; and 2 blankets. The room must be in the charge of a registered nurse or a Standard/Intermediate First Aid holder who does no other work likely to impair first aid, and that certificate is displayed in the room. Put it as close to the main work area as practicable and keep it stretcher-accessible; where it is not easily reachable, s. 12 requires you to add stations. Budget roughly $2,000 to $5,000, more once you factor in plumbing and the sterilizer.

Does distance to hospital change the requirements?

Not in the letter of the regulation — distance is not a Reg 1101 threshold. But the regulation assumes reasonable proximity to a hospital, and when a site is more than 30 minutes from the nearest hospital or clinic — forestry, mining, pipeline, rural utility, remote camps — that assumption breaks. A Basic-First-Aid worker managing a compound fracture or a cardiac event for 45 minutes before EMS arrives is well beyond their 8-hour scope. Best practice, and often enforceable under the OHSA s. 25(2)(h) general duty once your hazard assessment flags the access-time risk, is to upgrade every attendant to Intermediate First Aid + CPR-C regardless of crew size, carry supplies beyond the Reg 1101 box (tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, spine board, emergency blankets), and put a written medevac plan in place with radio or satellite contact and a helicopter landing zone where terrain allows. Treat Reg 1101 as the floor, not the ceiling.

Do Ontario construction projects need an AED?

On qualifying projects, yes — this is new. O. Reg. 213/91 s. 27.1, added by O. Reg. 157/25 and in force January 1, 2026, requires the constructor to provide an AED when a project regularly employs 20 or more workers and is expected to last 3 months or longer. The device must be a Health Canada-licensed AED, inspected at least every 3 months by a competent worker, and at least one worker trained in CPR and AED operation must be on site whenever work is in progress. This sits on top of the ordinary first aid duty: O. Reg. 213/91 s. 261 applies Reg 1101 to the project, and the constructor or general contractor provides the first aid station scaled to crew size (ss. 13–15). A WSIB rebate of up to $2,500 per qualifying construction project (one AED per project) is available for an eligible AED purchased between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027, with reimbursement requests accepted until July 31, 2027 (wsib.ca/AED). For non-construction workplaces Reg 1101 still does not mandate an AED, but every minute without defibrillation drops cardiac-arrest survival by roughly 10%, so an AED is strongly recommended anywhere response time is a concern.

Worked example: a 40-worker jobsite, 25 minutes from hospital

Say your busiest shift runs 40 workers on a construction project 25 minutes from the nearest hospital, and the job is scheduled for five months. Reg 1101 puts 40 workers in the 16–199 tier (s. 10): a Kit #3 plus 1 stretcher and 2 blankets, with an Intermediate First Aid + CPR-C worker in charge of the station whenever work is in progress. No first aid room (you are under 200). Because the crew is 20+ and the project runs 3+ months, O. Reg. 213/91 s. 27.1 requires an AED on site and a CPR/AED-trained worker present during work — and since it is a construction project, s. 261 already had Reg 1101 applying. With three shifts you would need at least three certified workers (one in charge per shift), and you would sensibly train a few more for coverage. Inspect the box quarterly, post the Form 82 poster and the certificates, and keep a treatment record for every incident.

Common mistakes that get employers cited

Three failures come up again and again. Expired certificates: Basic and Intermediate First Aid lapse after 3 years — book recertification about two months out, because seats fill up in smaller communities, and track every crew member's expiry date so it never slips (this is exactly the kind of renewal you can watch across a whole crew in ToolFluency's crew software). A depleted or expired box: adhesive tape dries out, gloves crack in a hot truck, and resuscitation-mask valves carry expiry dates — assign one person to own the quarterly inspection (s. 6) and sign the inspection card each time. Missing postings: Reg 1101 s. 1 and s. 3 require the Form 82 poster ("In Case of Injury or Illness at Work") and every on-duty worker's valid certificate to be displayed at the station, and s. 5 requires a record of every first-aid treatment. Remember the employer bears the full cost of supplies, services, and training (s. 4). None of this is expensive to maintain; an MOL order, a WSIB surcharge, or a worker who does not get timely care costs far more.

More Ontario compliance tools: browse the full set of WSIB & OHSA safety calculators, check your JHSC requirements, confirm PPE requirements and critical-injury reporting, or pick up the whole Ontario Contractor Toolkit.

This guide reflects Regulation 1101 as consolidated on Ontario e-Laws (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1101, currency date July 3, 2026 — no amendments), the WSIB First Aid Program certificate-name update effective June 22, 2026, and O. Reg. 213/91 s. 27.1 (added by O. Reg. 157/25), in force January 1, 2026. WSIB sets its programs and rebates annually — confirm the current recognized-provider list and any amendments at wsib.ca/firstaid and Ontario e-Laws. General information for Ontario employers, not legal or safety-compliance advice.

About Ontario First Aid Requirements Calculator

By the ToolFluency team · Updated September 2026

Free Ontario first aid requirements calculator under WSIB Regulation 1101. Enter workers per shift, distance to hospital, and workplace type to get the required kit (Kit #1/#2/#3), the certificate level (Basic or Intermediate First Aid + CPR-C — formerly Emergency/Standard), the 200+ first aid room threshold, cost estimates, and an inspection checklist. Updated for the June 22, 2026 WSIB program.

How to use

Enter the largest number of workers on any single shift, not total headcount. Regulation 1101 keys every requirement to the busiest shift: 1 to 5 workers need Kit #1 (s. 8), 6 to 15 need Kit #2 (s. 9), 16 to 199 need Kit #3 plus a stretcher and two blankets (s. 10), and 200 or more triggers a first aid room (s. 11).
Enter the number of shifts. Each shift must have its own qualified worker in charge of the first aid station whenever work is in progress (Regulation 1101 s. 1), so a three-shift operation needs at least three certified workers even though Regulation 1101 sets no first-aider-to-worker ratio.
Set the distance to the nearest hospital. Distance is not a Regulation 1101 threshold, but as a documented best practice a workplace more than 30 minutes from hospital should upgrade its attendant from Basic First Aid (8-hour) to Intermediate First Aid plus CPR-C (16-hour) regardless of crew size, because the attendant may manage a casualty far longer before EMS arrives.
Pick the workplace type. Construction projects fall under Regulation 1101 via O. Reg. 213/91 s. 261, and since January 1, 2026 O. Reg. 213/91 s. 27.1 requires an AED and a CPR/AED-trained worker on projects with 20 or more workers regularly employed lasting 3 or more months. Industrial, office, retail, and remote sites get tailored hazard notes for eyewash, AED, tourniquet, or wilderness first aid.
Read the prescribed box contents, the required certificate level, and whether a first aid room is needed. Confirm your attendant's certificate is current: Basic and Intermediate First Aid (formerly Emergency and Standard First Aid, renamed by the WSIB First Aid Program on June 22, 2026) are valid three years and must come from a WSIB-recognized provider.
Set up the inspection routine required by Regulation 1101 s. 6: inspect the box at least quarterly, date and sign the inspection card at the station, and replenish anything used, expired, or damaged. The WSIB guideline adds non-latex gloves and a CPR mask; medications and ointments are not permitted in the box.
Post the Form 82 poster (In Case of Injury or Illness at Work) and every on-duty worker's valid certificate at the station (s. 1, s. 3), keep a record of every first-aid treatment (s. 5), and remember the employer bears the full cost of supplies, training, and services (s. 4). File WSIB Form 7 within three business days when a worker gets health care or lost time.

Examples

30-worker construction site, 15 km from hospital

Largest shift = 30 workers, distance 15 km, type = construction. Verdict: Kit #3 with one stretcher and two blankets (Regulation 1101 s. 10) and an Intermediate First Aid attendant in charge of the station (6 or more workers). O. Reg. 213/91 s. 261 applies Regulation 1101 to the project. If the project regularly employs 20 or more workers and runs 3 months or longer, O. Reg. 213/91 s. 27.1 (in force January 1, 2026) now requires an AED plus a CPR/AED-trained worker on site. First aid room not required (under 200 workers).

8-worker office in the same building as a clinic

Largest shift = 8 workers, 0.5 km to clinic, type = office. Verdict: Kit #2 (Regulation 1101 s. 9) with an Intermediate First Aid attendant in charge — 6 to 15 workers requires Standard/Intermediate, not Basic. Keep a record of every first-aid treatment (s. 5) and inspect the box at least quarterly (s. 6). An AED is recommended though not mandated for a standard workplace. No first aid room needed.

Frequently asked questions

Which regulation sets first aid requirements for Ontario workplaces?

Ontario Regulation 1101 (First Aid Requirements) under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 sets the minimum first aid box contents, the certificate level of the worker in charge, and the first aid room threshold for every employer covered by the WSIB. It works alongside the Occupational Health and Safety Act, whose general duty clause (OHSA s. 25(2)(h)) requires every reasonable precaution for a worker's protection. On construction projects, O. Reg. 213/91 s. 261 applies the same Regulation 1101 requirements to the project.

What size first aid kit does my Ontario workplace need?

Regulation 1101 keys the kit to the largest number of workers on any one shift: Kit #1 for 1 to 5 workers (s. 8), Kit #2 for 6 to 15 workers (s. 9), and Kit #3 for 16 to 199 workers (s. 10, which also requires one stretcher and two blankets). At 200 or more workers a dedicated first aid room is required instead (s. 11). Since January 1, 2020 the WSIB also accepts a CSA Z1220 first aid kit as an equivalent alternative to the Regulation 1101 box.

How many trained first aiders does Ontario require per shift?

Regulation 1101 sets no ratio of first aiders to workers. The minimum is one qualified worker in charge of the first aid station on each shift, present whenever work is in progress (s. 1). Because one person cannot cover breaks, absences, and separate work areas, WSIB guidance and s. 12 (additional stations where the main one is not easily accessible) support training more than the minimum — roughly one certified worker per 100 workers or per major work area is a common practical target, though it is a recommendation, not a legal ratio.

What is the difference between Basic and Intermediate First Aid in Ontario?

Effective June 22, 2026 the WSIB First Aid Program renamed the certificates: Emergency First Aid became Basic First Aid (an 8-hour course required for 1 to 5 workers per shift) and Standard First Aid became Intermediate First Aid (a 16-hour course with CPR-C required for 6 or more workers per shift). Intermediate adds child and infant CPR, AED use, spinal and head injury care, and medical emergencies. The former names are accepted as equivalent, both certificates are valid for three years, and training must come from a WSIB-recognized provider.

When does an Ontario workplace need a dedicated first aid room?

Regulation 1101 s. 11 requires a first aid room only when 200 or more workers are employed on a single shift. The room must hold a first aid manual, instruments, denatured ethyl alcohol, assorted dressings, hot and cold running water, three washbasins, an instrument sterilizer, a dressings cabinet, an enamel foot bath, a covered disposal receptacle, an on-scene first aid box (Kit #2 / s. 9(1) contents), a couch curtained off or in a cubicle, one stretcher, and two blankets. It must be in the charge of a registered nurse or a Standard/Intermediate First Aid holder who does no other work likely to impair first aid.

How often must an Ontario first aid kit be inspected?

Regulation 1101 s. 6 requires the first aid box and its contents to be inspected at least quarterly (every three months). Each inspection is dated and signed on the inspection card kept at the station. Check that items are in good condition and replenish anything used, expired, or damaged. The WSIB guideline also recommends adding non-latex gloves in varying sizes and a CPR mask (barrier device), and it prohibits storing medications or ointments in the box.

Do construction projects in Ontario need an AED?

Yes, on qualifying projects. O. Reg. 213/91 s. 27.1 (added by O. Reg. 157/25, in force January 1, 2026) requires the constructor to provide an automated external defibrillator — plus at least one worker trained in CPR and AED use on site whenever work is in progress — when the project regularly employs 20 or more workers and is expected to last three months or longer. The AED must be a Health Canada-licensed device and inspected at least every three months. For other workplaces Regulation 1101 does not mandate an AED, but the WSIB strongly recommends one.

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