Updates to Occupational First Aid Regulations

Overview of Updated Occupational First Aid Regulations

Effective November 1, 2024, significant updates to occupational first aid regulations in British Columbia will come into force. These changes aim to modernize standards, enhance workplace safety, and align with recent advancements in first aid training and equipment, as well as national CSA guidelines.

Key Changes and Objectives

Modernized Standards and Assessments

• Employers must provide first aid services tailored to their workplaces.
• The amended regulations introduce a dual responsibility:
  1. Comply with the minimum requirements listed in Schedule 3-A.
  2. Conduct a written first aid needs assessment, in collaboration with workers, to identify any additional requirements.

Emphasis on High-Risk and Remote Workplaces

The amendments target improvements in high-risk, remote, and less-accessible workplaces. These environments often face unique challenges in delivering timely first aid and emergency transport, necessitating enhanced provisions.

Workplace Considerations

The updated Schedule 3-A outlines criteria for determining first aid requirements based on:

1. Workforce Size: The number of employees on-site.
2. Hazard Levels: Industry-specific risk ratings.
3. Accessibility:
   • “Remote” workplaces: Over 30 minutes by road from the nearest ambulance station.
   • “Less accessible” workplaces: Areas unsafe or unreachable by standard emergency services.

Examples of less-accessible workplaces include backcountry locations, confined spaces, hazardous terrains, and areas requiring specialized protective equipment.

Alignment with CSA Standards

Training Updates

First aid training now adheres to CSA Z1210-17 standards, introducing revised course durations and updated naming conventions:

• Basic First Aid: 1 day (formerly OFA 1).
• Intermediate First Aid: 2 days (reduced from 5 days under OFA 2).
• Advanced First Aid: 10 days (unchanged).

Existing certifications remain valid until their expiry, or November 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

First Aid Kits

First aid kits must now align with CSA Z1220-17 standards, incorporating new components such as:

• Personal Kits: Updated for individual use.
• Basic Kits: Includes tourniquets and PPE.
• Intermediate Kits: Adds oxygen therapy kits.

Employers are encouraged to gradually upgrade their kits as supplies are replaced.

Enhanced Emergency Transport

Regulations now allow for greater flexibility in selecting emergency transportation options, provided they meet these criteria:

• Safely transport the injured worker and first aid attendant.
• Enable effective communication between personnel.
• Protect the injured worker from environmental elements and allow space for treatment.

For workplaces relying on air transport, suitable aircraft and compatible stretchers must be available during operations.

Resources for Implementation

WorkSafeBC is developing tools and resources to assist employers in meeting these updated requirements. These include:

• Templates for first aid assessments.
• Recommended equipment lists for kits, rooms, and dressing stations.
• FAQs and webinars.

Employers can access detailed guidance and updates on WorkSafeBC’s website to ensure compliance with the new standards.

Conclusion

These regulatory changes represent a significant step toward ensuring safer workplaces across British Columbia. Employers are urged to familiarize themselves with the amendments, evaluate their workplace first aid needs, and implement necessary adjustments before the November 2024 deadline.