Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Nova Scotia
If you run or manage a workplace in Nova Scotia — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.
An employer duty — to rescue a colleague
Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Nova Scotia.
What the law requires in Nova Scotia
How many designated first-aiders?
The number and level of first aiders depend on employees per shift, workplace type (office vs. other/higher-hazard), and surface travel time to emergency care (close ≤20 min, distant 20-40 min). E.g. close site: 2-25 employees = 1 Basic first aider; 26-50 (other workplaces) = 1 Intermediate; 51-99 = 2 Intermediate; 100-199 = 2 first aiders; distant sites require additional Intermediate/Advanced levels.
As a Canadian province, Nova Scotia has its own occupational health and safety framework with jurisdiction over all workplaces.
Online training is recognized in Nova Scotia; the practical portion of CSA levels is normally in person.
Region specifics
- 'Ambulatory' adoption of CSA standards: updates take effect automatically without further regulatory amendment — Nova Scotia was the first province to enforce CSA Z1220-24 (August 1, 2024).
- Employers must pay full wages and benefits during first aid training.
- Sizing explicitly distinguishes office workplaces from other (higher-hazard) workplaces at equal headcount.
Why it matters
A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
WorkplaceIntermediate First Aid (16h)
A 16-hour intermediate first aid course, compliant with the CSA Z1210-17 standard, for standard-risk workplaces. It builds on casualty assessment, injury management and CPR. Delivered 100% online (in-person on request); valid certification upon completion.
WorkplaceBasic First Aid (8h)
An 8-hour basic first aid course designed for lower-risk workplaces. It covers essential first aid skills and the response to common emergencies. Delivered 100% online (in-person option on request); upon completion, the candidate earns a valid certification recognized as basic first aid under provincial requirements.