If you’ve heard that Ontario’s workplace first aid rules changed in 2026, you may be wondering what that means for your business. Do you need to retrain employees? Replace your first aid kits? Or make immediate changes to remain compliant?
The good news is that, for most Ontario employers, the transition is straightforward. Existing first aid certifications remain valid until they expire, and many of the updates involve new course names, revised recertification requirements, and closer alignment with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards rather than a complete overhaul of employers’ existing workplace first aid responsibilities.
Understanding what changed, and just as important, what didn’t, will help you confidently plan employee training, maintain compliance with workplace first aid requirements, and ensure your organization continues to meet Ontario’s workplace first aid requirements and its responsibilities under occupational health and safety legislation.
Whether you operate a small office, a manufacturing facility, a retail business, or a construction site, this guide explains the changes in plain language, so you know exactly what your business needs to do next.
Quick Summary
Ontario updated its workplace first aid requirements on June 22, 2026, bringing first aid training and workplace supplies into closer alignment with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards. While course names and some certification rules have changed, most employers won’t need to take immediate action. Existing certifications remain valid until they expire, giving businesses time to plan for future training and review their workplace first aid supplies.
| Effective Date | June 22, 2026 |
| Who Is Affected? | Ontario employers covered by WSIB |
| Immediate Action Required? | No. Existing certifications remain valid until expiry. |
| What Changed? | Course names, recertification rules, and first aid kit options. |
| Next Step | Review employee certifications and workplace first aid supplies before renewals are due. |
For most Ontario employers, no immediate action is required. If your employees currently hold valid Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certifications, they remain compliant until those certifications expire. When it’s time to renew, employees will complete the newly named Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid course, depending on your workplace requirements.
Rather than requiring employers to retrain staff immediately, Ontario’s updated first aid requirements provide a practical transition period. This allows businesses to continue operating without disruption while planning future training as employee certifications come up for renewal.
The same approach applies to workplace first aid kits. Employers are not required to replace existing compliant first aid kits simply because the standards have changed. Ontario businesses may continue using first aid kits that meet the current WSIB requirements or choose to adopt CSA Z1220-compliant kits where appropriate for their workplace.
For most organizations, the best approach is to review current employee certifications, note upcoming expiry dates, and plan renewals well in advance. This helps maintain compliance while avoiding last-minute training or unnecessary interruptions to your workplace.
Compliance Tip
Don’t wait until a certification expires to book training. Scheduling employee renewals several weeks in advance helps ensure your workplace always has the required number of certified first aid providers available on every shift.
Although Ontario updated its workplace first aid requirements, employers’ core responsibilities remain the same. Businesses must still ensure that appropriately trained first aid providers are available in the workplace, maintain suitable first aid supplies, and comply with Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and applicable WSIB requirements.
Employers must also continue ensuring that at least one appropriately certified employee is available during each shift based on the size of the workplace. Keeping accurate training records, maintaining properly stocked first aid kits, and reviewing workplace first aid procedures remain essential parts of an effective health and safety program.
In other words, Ontario’s updated requirements refine how workplace first aid is delivered, they do not change an employer’s ongoing commitment to protecting the health and safety of workers.
Compliance Tip
One of the biggest changes employers will notice is the terminology, not the overall responsibility. Most businesses can continue following their existing workplace first aid procedures while planning for future certification renewals under the updated course names.
Ontario renamed its workplace first aid courses to better align with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards and create greater consistency across Canada. While the course names have changed, the purpose of the training and the level of workplace preparedness employers are expected to maintain remain the same.
As part of the June 22, 2026 updates, Emergency First Aid is now called Basic First Aid, and Standard First Aid is now called Intermediate First Aid. These new names more clearly reflect the level of training provided and align with terminology used in the national CSA workplace first aid standard.
For employers, the biggest difference is the terminology, not the training requirement. Employees who already hold valid Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certificates remain compliant until their certifications expire. When it’s time to renew, they’ll simply register for the appropriately named Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid course.
| Previous Course Name | New Course Name |
| Emergency First Aid | Basic First Aid |
| Standard First Aid | Intermediate First Aid |
Compliance Tip
When scheduling future training, use the updated course names to avoid confusion. If you’re unsure which course your employees require, a WSIB-approved training provider can help you determine the appropriate level of certification.
The required workplace first aid certification is based on the number of employees working during each shift. These requirements have not changed under Ontario’s updated workplace first aid rules.
| Employees Working Per Shift | Required Certification |
| 1–5 employees | Basic First Aid |
| 6 or more employees | Intermediate First Aid |
Although the course names are new, the workplace first aid training requirements remain familiar. Employers must continue ensuring that at least one appropriately certified employee is available during each shift based on the size of the workplace.
It’s also important to consider your workplace activities when planning first aid training. While the minimum certification requirements are based on employee numbers, some higher-risk workplaces may choose to train additional staff to improve emergency preparedness and ensure adequate coverage during vacations, shift changes, or unexpected absences.
Example:
A retail store with four employees working each shift must ensure that at least one employee holds a valid Basic First Aid certificate.
A manufacturing facility with 18 employees working on a shift must have at least one employee certified in Intermediate First Aid, although many employers choose to train additional staff to ensure coverage at all times.
Compliance Tip
Meeting the minimum requirement is only part of an effective workplace first aid program. Consider training additional employees so your business remains protected during vacations, illness, or staff turnover.
Ontario’s updated workplace first aid requirements introduce an important change for employees renewing their Intermediate First Aid certification. While Basic First Aid must still be completed as a full course every three years, Intermediate First Aid can now be recertified through any WSIB-approved training provider, provided the eligibility requirements are met.
This change gives employers greater flexibility when scheduling employee training. Previously, workers renewing Standard First Aid certification were generally required to return to the same approved training provider that issued their original certification. Under the updated requirements, eligible employees can now complete an Intermediate First Aid recertification course with any WSIB-approved provider.
To qualify for Intermediate First Aid recertification, employees must:
If these requirements aren’t met, the employee will need to complete the full Intermediate First Aid course to regain certification.
Compliance Tip
Before scheduling recertification training, review your employees’ current certificates to confirm they’re still valid and that their most recent certification was a full course. Doing so can help avoid unexpected delays or the need to register for a full certification course instead of a recertification.
Ontario’s updated workplace first aid requirements have not changed the minimum number of certified employees required in the workplace. Employers must continue ensuring that at least one appropriately certified employee is available during every shift based on the number of workers on duty.
For most workplaces, the minimum requirements are straightforward:
| Employees Working Per Shift | Minimum Requirement |
| 1–5 employees | At least one employee certified in Basic First Aid |
| 6 or more employees | At least one employee certified in Intermediate First Aid |
While these are the minimum WSIB requirements, many employers choose to certify additional employees. This helps ensure first aid coverage during vacations, illness, shift changes, lunch breaks, and other situations where the designated first aider may not be immediately available.
Planning for adequate first aid coverage, not just minimum compliance, helps strengthen your workplace’s emergency preparedness and help ensure prompt assistance whenever it’s needed.
Compliance Tip
Meeting the minimum requirement is an excellent starting point, but training additional employees can help maintain continuous first aid coverage and reduce the risk of being left without a certified responder during a shift.
For most Ontario employers, no. You do not need to replace an existing compliant workplace first aid kit simply because Ontario updated its workplace first aid requirements. Employers may continue using first aid kits that meet the current WSIB requirements or choose to adopt CSA Z1220-compliant first aid kits where appropriate for their workplace.
One of the most significant changes accompanying Ontario’s updated workplace first aid requirements is the option to use first aid kits that meet the CSA Z1220 standard. While many other provinces have fully adopted the CSA standard, Ontario currently allows employers to choose between traditional WSIB first aid kits and applicable CSA-compliant workplace first aid kits.
This flexibility gives employers the opportunity to transition to CSA first aid kits when it makes sense for their workplace rather than requiring an immediate replacement of existing compliant kits.
Because first aid kit requirements vary depending on workplace risk, employee numbers, and kit type, it’s important to understand which option best fits your business before making changes.
Compliance Tip
Before purchasing new workplace first aid kits, verify whether your existing kits already meet Ontario’s current requirements. Replacing compliant kits before they’re needed may result in unnecessary costs without improving workplace compliance.
Now that you understand what has changed—and what hasn’t—the next step is making sure your workplace is prepared for future certification renewals and ongoing compliance.
For most Ontario employers, staying compliant with the updated workplace first aid requirements doesn’t require immediate action—but it does require a plan. Taking a few simple steps now can help ensure your workplace remains compliant as employee certifications come up for renewal.
Use this checklist to help prepare your workplace:
By reviewing these items now, employers can confidently prepare for future renewals while continuing to meet Ontario’s workplace first aid requirements.
Ontario’s updated workplace first aid requirements are designed to improve consistency—not create unnecessary disruption for employers. Existing certifications remain valid until they expire, workplace first aid responsibilities remain largely unchanged, and businesses have time to plan for future training and first aid kit updates.
The best approach is to stay informed, review employee certifications regularly, and plan ahead for renewals. By understanding what has changed, and what hasn’t, your workplace can continue meeting Ontario’s first aid requirements with confidence while ensuring employees remain prepared to respond when it matters most.
Whether you’re renewing employee certifications, selecting the appropriate workplace first aid course, or evaluating your workplace first aid kits, Durham First Aid can help.
As a WSIB-approved training provider, we work with employers across Ontario to deliver workplace first aid training, CPR certification, and practical guidance that helps businesses remain compliant with confidence.
Contact Durham First Aid today to discuss the right workplace first aid solution for your team.
Ontario’s updated workplace first aid requirements took effect on June 22, 2026. The changes include new course names, updated Intermediate First Aid recertification requirements, and additional workplace first aid kit options that align more closely with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards.
Yes. Existing Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid certifications remain valid until their expiry date. Employees do not need to retake training simply because the course names changed. When it’s time to renew, they will complete the appropriately named Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid course.
No. Employers are not required to replace existing compliant workplace first aid kits simply because the regulations changed. Ontario employers may continue using compliant WSIB first aid kits or choose applicable CSA Z1220-compliant first aid kits where permitted.
Yes. Employees who meet the eligibility requirements can complete Intermediate First Aid recertification through any WSIB-approved training provider. If the eligibility requirements are not met, the employee will need to complete the full Intermediate First Aid course.
No. The minimum workplace first aid training requirements remain the same. Employers must continue ensuring that appropriately certified employees are available during each shift based on the number of workers and applicable workplace requirements.
The best approach is to review employee certification expiry dates, schedule renewals before certificates expire, maintain accurate training records, and confirm that workplace first aid kits continue to meet Ontario’s requirements. Planning ahead helps businesses remain compliant while avoiding disruptions.
