Alberta OHS Code First Aid Requirements
The Three Work Site Classifications
Alberta classifies work sites into three categories based on their distance from medical facilities. This classification directly impacts the level of first aid services required:
Close Work Site
A work site located within 20 minutes travel time from a hospital or other medical facility where a physician is normally available.
Distant Work Site
A work site located more than 20 minutes but within 40 minutes travel time from a hospital or other medical facility where a physician is normally available.
Isolated Work Site
A work site located more than 40 minutes travel time from a hospital or other medical facility where a physician is normally available.
Travel time is calculated based on normal road and traffic conditions, not emergency response times.
Hazard Ratings Explained
In addition to work site location, Alberta classifies workplaces by hazard rating. Schedule 2 of the OHS Code categorizes work activities into three hazard levels:
Low Hazard Work
Work that involves minimal risk of injury or illness. Examples include:
- Office work
- Retail operations
- Light assembly
- Most administrative settings
Medium Hazard Work
Work that involves moderate risk of injury or illness. Examples include:
- Light manufacturing
- Warehousing
- Food processing
- General construction
- Automotive repair
High Hazard Work
Work that involves significant risk of serious injury or illness. Examples include:
- Heavy construction
- Mining operations
- Oil and gas field work
- Logging and forestry
- Chemical processing
- Work with high-voltage electricity
Your industry type and specific work activities determine your hazard classification. Higher hazard ratings require more comprehensive first aid coverage.
First Aid Requirements by Workplace Type
The tables below show minimum requirements based on your work site classification, hazard rating, and number of workers present per shift.
Table 5
First aid requirements for low hazard work
[ See sections 178, 181(1) ]
| Number of workers at work site per shift | Close work site
(up to 20 minutes) |
Distant work site
(20 – 40 minutes) |
Isolated work site
(more than 40 minutes) |
| 1 | CSA Standard Z1220-17
Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit |
CSA Standard Z1220-17
Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit |
CSA Standard Z1220-17
Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit |
| 2 – 9 |
1 Basic First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit |
1 Basic First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit |
1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit |
| 10 – 49 |
1 Basic First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Medium First Aid Kit |
1 Basic First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Medium First Aid Kit |
1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Medium First Aid Kit |
| 50 – 99 |
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit |
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit |
2 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit |
| 100 – 199 | 1 Basic First Aider
2 Intermediate First Aiders
CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit
Designated area for first aid services |
1 Basic First Aider 2 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints Designated area for first aid services |
3 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints Designated area for first aid services |
| 200 or more |
1 Basic First Aider 2 Intermediate First Aiders Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit Designated area for first aid services |
1 Basic First Aider 2 Intermediate First Aiders Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints Designated area for first aid services |
3 Intermediate First Aiders Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints Designated area for first aid services |
Note: Number of first aiders indicated is for a work shift at all times.
Table 6
First aid requirements for medium hazard work
[ See sections 178, 181(1) ]
| Number of workers at work site per shift | Close work site (up to 20 minutes) |
Distant work site (20 – 40 minutes) |
Isolated work site (more than 40 minutes) |
| 1 | CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit | CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit | CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit |
| 2 – 9 |
1 Basic First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit
|
1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
| 10 – 19 |
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit
|
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
2 Intermediate First Aiders
CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
| 20 – 49 |
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Medium First Aid Kit |
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Medium First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
2 Intermediate First Aiders
CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Medium First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
| 50 – 99 |
2 Basic First Aiders 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit |
2 Basic First Aiders 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
3 Intermediate First Aiders
CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
| 100 – 199 |
2 Basic First Aiders 2 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit Designated area for first aid services |
2 Basic First Aiders 2 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints Designated area for first aid services |
3 Intermediate First Aider
CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 2 Basic Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints Designated area for first aid services |
| 200 or more |
2 Basic First Aiders 2 Intermediate First Aiders 1 nurse who holds an advanced first aid certificate or 1 advanced care paramedic Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers First Aid Room for workers |
2 Basic First Aiders 2 Intermediate First Aiders 1 nurse who holds an advanced first aid certificate or 1 advanced care paramedic Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers First Aid Room for workers |
4 Intermediate First Aiders 1 nurse who holds an advanced first aid certificate or 1 advanced care paramedic Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers First Aid Room for workers |
Note: Number of first aiders indicated is for a work shift at all times.
Table 7
First aid requirements for high hazard work
[ See sections 178, 181(1) ]
| Number of workers at work site per shift | Close work site (up to 20 minutes) |
Distant work site (20 – 40 minutes) |
Isolated work site (more than 40 minutes) |
| 1 | CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit | CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit | CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 1 Personal First Aid Kit |
| 2 – 4 |
1 Basic First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit
|
1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
| 5 – 9 |
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit
|
2 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
2 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
| 10 – 19 |
1 Basic First Aider 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets
|
2 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints |
2 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Small First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints |
| 20 – 49 |
2 Basic First Aiders 1 Intermediate First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Medium First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
3 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Medium First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints |
3 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Medium First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints |
| 50 – 99 |
2 Basic First Aiders 2 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets |
2 Basic First Aiders 3 Intermediate First Aiders CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints |
4 Intermediate First Aiders 1 Advanced First Aider CSA Standard Z1220-17 Type 3 Intermediate Large First Aid Kit 3 blankets, stretcher, splints |
| 100 – 199 |
2 Basic First Aiders 2 Intermediate First Aiders 1 Advanced First Aider First Aid Room for workers |
4 Intermediate First Aiders 1 Advanced First Aider First Aid Room for workers |
4 Intermediate First Aiders 1 Advanced First Aider First Aid Room for workers |
| 200 or more |
2 Basic First Aiders 2 Intermediate First Aiders 1 nurse who holds an advanced first aid certificate or 1 advanced care paramedic Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers First Aid Room for workers |
4 Intermediate First Aiders 1 nurse who holds an advanced first aid certificate or 1 advanced care paramedic Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers First Aid Room for workers |
4 Intermediate First Aiders 1 Advanced First Aider 1 nurse who holds an advanced first aid certificate or 1 advanced care paramedic Plus 1 Intermediate First Aider for each additional increment of 1 to 100 workers First Aid Room for workers |
Note: Number of first aiders indicated is for a work shift at all times.
Who to Call?
Contact Vital Safety for first aid services on site, including ETV/MTC, first aid attendant and complete medical supplies plus AED. If your crew is qualified for on site medical coverage, contact MTC Rentals for renting an ETV/MTC without attendant.