The Ministry of Labour announced on February 2 that it has launched a consultation in an effort to modernize the province’s first-aid requirements.

Changes proposed by the ministry would see the department assume the sole responsibility of workplace first aid. The ministry currently shares responsibility with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The move, says the government, will make first-aid requirements easier to understand and comply with, and will standardize first-aid compliance obligations for larger employers.

“Our government’s top priority is ensuring every worker in the province comes home safe to their loved ones after a hard day’s work. By taking these steps we will not only save lives, we will make workers safer by providing them with modern first aid until a first responder arrives,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “We want all workplaces to have safe, current and consistent first aid standards. These consultations will help us meet that goal while ensuring Ontario continues to be a world leader in workplace safety.”

Currently, first aid requirements in the workplace are overseen by the WSIB under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. That act applies to about 76 percent of Ontario employers.

Certain employers must also follow first aid requirements in sector-specific regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

If the proposed changes are approved, an additional 82,000 workplaces would be subject to a new first aid regulation under the OHSA.

Along with these proposed changes, the government is also seeking feedback on developing a first-aid training program and training provider standards. The standards would address who can provide training to first-aid attendants in workplaces and what type of training must be provided. Any new regulation and standards would be administered and enforced by the ministry.

“We need everyone’s input to ensure that workplace first aid training meets the needs of workers and employers, and can be successfully delivered by training providers,” said Chief Prevention Officer Ron Kelusky. “We also want to ensure the requirements and related standards are current and in line with other jurisdictions.”

The consultation is open until February 22.