Emergency readiness for a small business in Eastern Ontario
Start with three questions: Who will call 911? Who is the trained first aider on each shift? Where can workers find the first aid station? Write down the answers, show the team, and check them when shifts change. A shop in Cornwall and a small crew working off-site may need different plans. Ontario's WSIB first aid guide says its rules also cover off-site workplaces for businesses covered by the workplace insurance law.[1]
Make a plan your team can use
Walk through the place where people work. Find the exits, the first aid station and the address you would give 911. If a crew works away from the main shop, plan how they will get help there too. Ask a worker to show you where the supplies are. If they cannot find them quickly, move the station or make it easier to spot. Ontario tells small employers to look for hazards, protect workers and teach them how to work safely.[3]
Here is a short shift card to fill out together. It is a planning aid, not a legal checklist.
| Check before work | Write down the answer |
|---|---|
| Where are we today? | Worksite address and the best entrance for help: ______ |
| Who calls for help? | Name and backup: ______ |
| Who is the trained first aider on this shift? | Name, certificate and backup: ______ |
| Where are the first aid station and supplies? | Location workers can reach: ______ |
| What if we move to another site? | Who brings supplies and who is trained there: ______ |
Check the Ontario first aid rules
If your business is covered by Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Regulation 1101 sets workplace first aid duties. The right supplies depend on the number of workers on a shift at a place of employment, not just your total staff list. The station needs a first aid box, the WSIB's Form 82 poster, valid certificates of the trained workers on duty and an inspection card. It must be easy to reach while work is under way. Employers must check the first aid box at least every three months and record the check.[2]
The WSIB says that a covered workplace with five or fewer workers on a shift needs a worker with a valid Basic First Aid certificate. With six or more, it calls for Intermediate First Aid. These are the WSIB's current program names; the regulation still says Emergency and Standard First Aid. Check the full rules and kit lists for your workplace, including any special worksite rules.[1][2]
A CPR-only course does not replace workplace first aid training. Canadian Red Cross workplace first aid certificates are accepted in Ontario when they meet the required level and CSA Z1210 standards. Choose the right first aid level for your team.[1]
Practise the handoff
Try a short walk-through with the team: one person points out the address and entrance; another finds the first aid station; the first aider explains how to get help while 911 is called. Give new workers the same tour. This is a simple practice idea, not a substitute for required training or your workplace's safety plan. In an emergency, call 911 and give care only within your training.
Common questions
Does a very small shop need to prepare?
Yes. Ontario says small employers have health and safety duties too. If your business is covered by the workplace insurance law, check the WSIB first aid rules even if few people work a shift.[3][1]
What if my workers travel between sites?
Plan for each place they work. WSIB says first aid requirements apply off-site too, and crews need suitable supplies and a trained first aider. Check your actual crew and site against the rules.[1]
Can ActionBafoly train our Ontario workplace first aider?
Yes. ActionBafoly teaches Canadian Red Cross courses, and the Red Cross issues the certificates. Choose the workplace first aid level your team needs. Group training in selected Eastern Ontario communities depends on the course, group size, schedule and travel plans. Ask about group training.[1]
First aid education does not replace your employer's legal duties or emergency services.