Tomorrow, September 14/2024, is World First Aid Day!
While usually on this day, we put a reminder out to take time to brush up on your first aid skills, this year we would like to remind everyone of upcoming changes to First Aid Legislation in British Columbia.
As of November 1/2024, organizations conducting work tasks in the province will have to comply with these changes. The goal of the changes is to minimize confusion around provincial requirement and to meet the requirements of CSA Z1220-17 and CSA Z1210-17, which will make it easier for businesses and workers to work across the provincial borders (the Alberta Occupational Health & Safety Code changed to align with this Standard in March 2023).
Here is a brief summary of what is changing:
- The requirements of Schedule 3A in regard to levels of first aid, as well as training and equipment requirements to align with CSA Standards.
- Guidance to perform first aid assessments of the work site.
- New definitions for remote and less accessible work locations, plus clear transportation and equipment requirements for these.
- Requirements to perform annual first aid drills.
How Can Your Organization Comply?
- Assess current first aid practices against the changes.
- Perform a written first aid assessment for each work site, both fixed and field.
- Update all first aid supplies to meet the CSA Standards.
- Create training modules, and train employees in company specific and work site specific first aid requirements.
- Conduct a first aid drill with all employees, including first aid attendants. Debrief after the drill and determine if any improvements are needed.
