Are you familiar with your company’s first aid requirements? As an employer, you must ensure your first aid policy complies with regulations. Starting November 1, 2024, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OHS) are changing. Every workplace must update their first aid policies to align with these new standards.
Workplace first aid is a critical component of every organization’s health and safety management system. Employees trained in first aid can effectively respond to incidents, reduce risks, and help prevent future injuries.
For nearly 20 years, the OHS requirements have remained largely unchanged, which means many organizations have been operating under the same health and safety policies for years. However, advancements in first aid training, new standards from the CSA Group (formerly the Canadian Standards Association) (“CSA”and evolving challenges in rescue transportation have necessitated this update.
Who Do These Changes Apply To?
Every provincially regulated business in British Columbia is required to have a first aid policy. If you own or operate a business, these changes likely apply to you.
Key Changes to the Regulations Include:
- First aid certification and training levels
- Updates to first aid kit contents
- Documented first aid assessments required by employers
- Emergency transportation
- Annual first aid drills
You can review the full extent of the new OHS regulations and (HERE) (search for “first aid”).
Why Does This Matter?
Beyond the fundamental importance of workplace safety, non-compliance with these regulatory updates can be both time-consuming and costly for businesses. Employers who fail to comply with regulatory updates related to health and safety may face administrative penalties or fines under the Workers’ Compensation Act. These penalties are intended to promote compliance and maintain a safe working environment. Regularly reviewing and adhering to regulatory changes is essential to avoiding these repercussions and protecting employees.
How can Fulton help?
At Fulton, we can review your current first aid assessment and provide tailored recommendations to ensure compliance with the new regulations. This review will help identify any gaps and enhance your workplace safety measures.
