What should a workplace first-aid station contain?

Dianne Rende
A notice board displaying:
• the Form 82 (In Case of Injury at Work) poster from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
• valid certificates of qualification of the trained workers on duty
• an inspection card with spaces for recording the date of the most recent inspection of the first-aid box and the signature of the person making the inspection.

Employers shall ensure that the first-aid station is at all times in the charge of a worker who is the holder of a valid first-aid certificate and works in the immediate vicinity of the box. 

The first-aid station shall be so located as to be easily accessible for the prompt treatment of any worker at all times when work is in progress. And first-aid boxes must be inspected no less than quarterly and mark the inspection card for each box with the date and the signature of the person making the inspection.

Every employer shall keep a record of all circumstances respecting an accident as described by the injured worker, the date and time of its occurrence, the names of witnesses, the nature and exact location of the injuries to the worker and the date, time and nature of each first aid treatment given.

Workplaces with 1 to 5 employees in any one shift

Employer must provide and maintain a first-aid station with a first aid box (such as St. John Ambulance — Ontario #1 Kit) containing at minimum:
• current edition of St. John Ambulance First Aid Manual
• one card of safety pins
• 12 adhesive dressings, individually wrapped
• four sterile gauze pads, three inches square
• two rolls of gauze bandage, two inches wide
• two field dressings, four inches square or two inch to four inch sterile bandage compresses
• one triangular bandage.

Workplaces with 6 to 15 employees in any one shift

Employer shall provide and maintain a first-aid station with a first-aid box (such as St. John Ambulance Ontario #2 kit) containing as a minimum:
• a current edition of a St. John Ambulance First Aid Manual
• 1 card of safety pins
• 24 adhesive dressings, individually wrapped
• 12 sterile gauze pads, three inches square
• four rolls of gauze bandage, two inches wide
• four sterile surgical pads, individually wrapped
• six triangular bandages
• two rolls of splint padding and one roll up splint.

Workplaces with 16 to 200 employees in any one shift

Employer shall maintain a first-aid station with a first aid box (such as St. John Ambulance - Ontario #3 Kit) that contains at minimum the items below as well as a stretcher and two blankets.

• a current edition of a St. John Ambulance First Aid Manual
• 24 safety pins
• one basin, preferably stainless steel
• 48 adhesive dressings, individually wrapped
• two rolls of adhesive tape, one inch wide
• 12 rolls of 1-inch gauze bandage
• 48 sterile gauze pads, three inches square
• eight rolls of gauze bandage, two inches wide
• eight rolls of gauze bandage, four inches wide
• six sterile surgical pads, individually wrapped
• 12 triangular bandages
• splints of assorted sizes
• two rolls of splint padding.

Workplaces with more than 200 employees in any one shift

Employer must provide an equipped first-aid room. First-aid room requirements are more extensive than a first-aid station. For the specifics, consult Section 11 of the Ontario regulation. The regulation provides a list of minimum standards and your circumstances may require more, especially if you are working with hazardous processes or if 911 access could be delayed due to distance considerations.