Ontario Regulation 1101: How Many First Aiders Does Your Workplace Need?
The complete plain-language guide for HR, operations, and small business owners.
Ontario Regulation 1101 requires at least one qualified first aider on every shift, at every fixed workplace. With 1–5 workers on a shift you need someone holding Emergency First Aid + CPR C AED. With 6 or more workers on a shift you need someone holding Standard First Aid + CPR C AED. Each shift counts separately, and so does each fixed location.
What Regulation 1101 actually is
Regulation 1101 is made under Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. It sets the minimum first aid requirements for every employer covered by WSIB — which is the vast majority of Ontario businesses. The regulation has been on the books for decades, but the practical expectations (training agencies, course content, certificate format) get refreshed periodically as the underlying first aid guidelines evolve.
The regulation covers four things: (1) how many certified first aiders you need, (2) what level of training they must hold, (3) what you must keep on site (kit + postings), and (4) what to do when injuries occur. This guide focuses on the first two — the rest is mostly common sense once the training piece is squared away.
The schedule, in one table
Headcount is measured per shift, per fixed workplace — not by total payroll.
| Workers on a shift | Minimum qualified first aiders | Required certification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 5 | 1 | Emergency First Aid + CPR Level C AED |
| 6+ | 1 (minimum, more recommended) | Standard First Aid + CPR Level C AED |
| Multiple shifts | 1 per shift | Each shift must independently meet the requirement |
| Multiple buildings | 1 per fixed workplace | A single first aider can’t cover two locations at once |
“Six or more” is the threshold that catches most growing businesses by surprise. The minute your shift hits six workers, Emergency First Aid is no longer enough — you need someone with the full Standard First Aid certificate. The two courses are not interchangeable for compliance purposes.
What “qualified” means in practice
A qualified first aider holds an unexpired certificate from a WSIB-recognized training agency. The four major agencies are:
- Canadian Red Cross
- Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
- Lifesaving Society
- St. John Ambulance
If your worker took an online-only “weekend bootcamp” or a course from an unrecognized provider, it does not satisfy Regulation 1101 — even if the certificate looks similar. WSIB approval requires hands-on practical assessment with a qualified instructor. See our explainer on what “WSIB-approved” actually means for the full breakdown.
Sector overlays — where the rules get stricter
Regulation 1101 is the minimum. Several sectors layer additional requirements on top.
Construction
Construction projects fall under Regulation 213/91 (Construction Projects). On larger projects, more first aiders are required and proximity-to-work-area rules apply. Remote or hazardous sites typically need Standard First Aid regardless of crew size.
Childcare and daycares
Under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA), supervisors and every employee in direct contact with children must hold a valid Standard First Aid + CPR Level C certificate — regardless of how many staff are on shift. See our daycare-specific guide.
Healthcare and clinical settings
Clinical staff typically need BLS (Basic Life Support), not the general CPR Level C, and renewals are annual rather than every three years. Hospitals, long-term care, dental offices, and physiotherapy clinics all follow this pattern.
Mining
Mining workplaces are exempt from Regulation 1101 because they’re covered by their own — Regulation 854 — which is stricter and includes specific mine rescue training requirements.
What must be posted
The three posting requirements
- WSIB Form 82 — “Notice in Industrial Establishments.” Lists designated first aiders and emergency procedures.
- Photocopies of current first aid certificates for each designated first aider, posted beside Form 82.
- Clear identification of the first aid kit location — signage, accessible at all times.
Postings must be in a conspicuous place — typically beside the kit and next to the OHSA workplace poster. If a Ministry of Labour inspector visits and the postings aren’t visible, that’s an immediate finding.
What about remote and hybrid workers?
Regulation 1101 applies to fixed workplaces. Fully remote workers in their own homes are generally not counted toward the workplace’s headcount for first aid purposes. But if your team has a head office where staff come in periodically — even two days a week — the head office still needs first aid coverage based on the number of workers physically present on any given shift.
Hybrid policies create a planning challenge: if your “Tuesday and Thursday in-office” days have 8 people in but your “Monday/Wednesday/Friday” days have 3, you technically need Standard First Aid coverage on the busy days and Emergency First Aid is enough on the others. The simplest fix is to train enough people for the busiest possible shift.
Penalties and inspections
A Ministry of Labour inspection that finds non-compliance can result in:
- Orders to comply within a specified timeframe
- Fines under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Increased WSIB premium surcharges
- Additional follow-up inspections
The bigger exposure is what happens after an injury. If a worker is hurt and the required first aid coverage wasn’t in place, WSIB claim processing can be affected and civil liability exposure widens significantly. For a small business, the cost of compliance — typically under $200 per first aider every three years — is a small fraction of the potential downside.
The fastest way to comply
If your workplace isn’t currently compliant, you have three options, ranked by speed:
- Send staff to an open class — fastest path for one or two people. Pick a date on the course schedule and send your designated first aider(s).
- Book a private group session — most cost-effective for 4+ workers. We come to you, train your team at your location, certify everyone the same day. Common for offices, manufacturing floors, daycares, and clinics.
- Mix it — train some staff at open classes now to get immediate coverage, then schedule a private group session in the next quarter to bring up your second wave.
Get your team certified, on your schedule
Life Safe brings training to your workplace across Ontario — Toronto, Hamilton, Welland, Guelph, and across the GTA. Trusted by RBC, Air Canada, CRA, CAMH, Toronto General, and 1,000+ Ontario teams.
Sources & medical review
Written and reviewed by Milos Radojcic (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke / Lifesaving Society First Aid & CPR Instructor, 10+ yrs; First Aid Instructor Trainer). Compliance content reflects Ontario Regulation 1101 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, as administered by the WSIB and enforced by the Ontario Ministry of Labour; certification levels reference Canadian Red Cross and Heart & Stroke Foundation course standards. Always confirm current requirements against the regulation itself and your sector’s overlays. Last reviewed July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many first aiders does Ontario Regulation 1101 require?
Regulation 1101 requires at least one qualified first aider on every shift at every fixed workplace. Workplaces with 1 to 5 workers on a shift need a worker holding Emergency First Aid with CPR Level C AED. Workplaces with 6 or more workers on a shift need a worker holding Standard First Aid with CPR Level C AED. Each shift and each separate fixed workplace counts independently.
Does Regulation 1101 apply to my business?
Regulation 1101 applies to every employer who is covered by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Act — which is the vast majority of Ontario businesses. There are limited exemptions for some industries (notably mining, federal workplaces, and specific sectors with their own regulations). If you pay WSIB premiums, the regulation applies to you.
What needs to be posted at the workplace?
Three things: WSIB Form 82 (Notice in Industrial Establishments), photocopies of the current first aid certificates for each designated first aider, and clear identification of where the first aid kit is located. All postings must be in a conspicuous place where workers can easily see them — typically near the first aid kit and the OHSA poster.
What is a “qualified” first aider under Regulation 1101?
A qualified first aider holds an unexpired certificate from an agency recognized by the WSIB — typically the Canadian Red Cross, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Lifesaving Society, or St. John Ambulance. Online-only certificates do not qualify because Regulation 1101 requires hands-on skill assessment. The certificate must be from the right level (Emergency or Standard) for the workplace size.
What happens if my workplace doesn’t comply?
A Ministry of Labour inspection can result in orders, fines, and increased WSIB premium surcharges. More practically, if a workplace injury occurs and the required first aid coverage wasn’t in place, the WSIB claims process can be affected, civil liability exposure increases, and the employer may face additional investigation. The cost of compliance — typically under $200 per first aider every three years — is dramatically lower than the cost of non-compliance.
How is “workers on a shift” calculated?
Per fixed workplace, per shift. Salaried, hourly, full-time, part-time, and temporary workers all count. Contractors performing work on site usually count for first aid purposes too.
Can one first aider cover multiple buildings?
No. Each fixed workplace needs its own qualified first aider on shift. Travel time between buildings is not a substitute for on-site coverage.
What if our designated first aider is sick or on vacation?
Best practice is to train more than the minimum — at least two people per shift so you’re never uncovered. The regulation doesn’t have a grace period for vacancies.
Do volunteers and unpaid workers count?
Yes, if they are working on the employer’s behalf at the workplace. Charities, sports clubs, and community organizations are covered.