Business owners and operators are adapting to changes to BC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, which mean updates to first aid requirements for workplaces across the province.
The amendments to Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation introduce stricter guidelines for first aid supplies, facilities, equipment, and attendants, aligning the province’s standards with those set by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
The changes took effect Nov. 1.
Under the revised regulation, employers are now required to assess the first aid needs of their workplaces in consultation with workers. This written assessment must consider factors such as the number of workers, the level of hazards in the workplace, and whether the site is "remote" or "less accessible" — such as locations where an ambulance cannot easily reach.
"These changes are designed to better address the evolving needs of workplaces, especially in high-risk industries and remote locations," indicates WorkSafeBC in a statement. "Employers will need to adjust their first aid plans to ensure they meet the updated standards, which will provide more effective protection for workers."
One of the major changes involves first aid training. The previous Occupational First Aid (OFA) levels have been restructured to align with CSA standards. For example, OFA 1 has been renamed "Basic First Aid" and will still be a one-day course, while the OFA 2 level is now called "Intermediate First Aid" and will be reduced to a two-day course, down from five days. The higher-level OFA 3 remains largely the same but is now categorized as "Advanced First Aid."
First aid kits also have new requirements. These kits must now include additional items like tourniquets and personal protective equipment (PPE), in accordance with CSA Z1220-17 standards. The updated kits will ensure workplaces are better equipped to manage medical emergencies, particularly in remote areas where timely transport may be difficult.
The new regulations also introduce guidelines for workplaces that are difficult to access. For example, areas that are only reachable by ATV or snowmobile, or those in rugged terrain, are considered "less accessible" and require additional first aid measures. Employers must ensure that trained first aid attendants can safely evacuate injured workers from these areas to locations accessible by emergency medical services.
WorkSafeBC has provided resources to assist employers in complying with these updates, including first aid assessment templates and guides for assembling the appropriate first aid kits. These resources are available on the WorkSafeBC website.
Employers are encouraged to review the changes carefully and update their first aid procedures to ensure full compliance. Failure to meet the new requirements could result in penalties, WorkSafeBC advises.
For more information on the updates to first aid requirements and how to conduct a first aid assessment, employers can visit worksafebc.com.
