Last Updated: November 12, 2026
Quick Summary
First aid certification for construction workers in Ontario must match crew size: crews of one to five need Basic First Aid with CPR and AED, while crews of six or more need Intermediate First Aid with CPR and AED. Both certifications last three years, and certificates issued before the June 22, 2026 WSIB rename remain valid until their printed expiry.
- The WSIB renamed Emergency First Aid to Basic First Aid and Standard First Aid to Intermediate First Aid on June 22, 2026.
- Basic First Aid with CPR and AED costs $95.00 and suits crews of five or fewer.
- Intermediate First Aid with CPR and AED costs $145.00 for crews of six or more.
- Keep a copy of each certificate on site so inspectors can confirm shift coverage.
- Set renewal reminders 60 days out and track expiry dates by worker, not course date.
Table of Contents
- What Ontario Actually Requires of Construction Employers
- WSIB Regulation 1101 Requirements by Crew Size
- Basic versus Intermediate First Aid: Which Level Fits Your Site
- CPR, AED and the Skills Construction Crews Use Most
- First Aid Kit Contents Ontario Construction Sites Need
- First Aid Training Renewal Frequency Ontario Employers Should Track
- How to Verify a Course Meets Ontario Requirements
- Booking WSIB-Compliant Training for Your Crew
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Ontario Actually Requires of Construction Employers
First aid certification for construction workers in Ontario is a legal obligation, not a nice-to-have. Under Ontario's workplace safety framework, every construction employer must provide first aid equipment, trained personnel, and posted information at each site, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board enforces those requirements through its First Aid Program.
The rules changed recently, and that change causes most of the confusion we hear from site supervisors.
The June 2026 WSIB Naming Change
The WSIB First Aid Program updated its first aid program on June 22, 2026, to improve the quality and consistency of workplace first aid. The practical effect is a renaming: Emergency First Aid is now called Basic First Aid, and Standard First Aid is now called Intermediate First Aid (First Aid Program).
Certificates issued before that date stay valid until their normal expiry. Nobody needs to retake training early because of the rename. On renewal, workers receive certification under the new names.
WSIB Regulation 1101 Requirements by Crew Size
Ontario's first aid requirements scale with headcount, and for construction employers the numbers are the first thing to get right.
| Workers on shift | Minimum certified level | Typical certificate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Basic First Aid with CPR & AED | 3 years |
| 6 or more | Intermediate First Aid with CPR & AED | 3 years |
Coverage Per Shift and Remote Sites
Coverage must follow the shift, not the payroll list. If your certified first aider is off sick, on another site, or on vacation, the crew is exposed. Keep a copy of each certificate on site so inspectors can confirm coverage.
Remote and isolated sites need a harder look. Emergency response times stretch, so many contractors add remote-specific training on top of the legal minimum. Our Remote First Aid course is built for crews working where help is delayed.
Confirm current crew-size thresholds against the WSIB's official first aid materials before you book training or post your site information.
Basic versus Intermediate First Aid: Which Level Fits Your Site
The level you need depends on crew size, not on the type of work. Confirm the current thresholds against the WSIB's official first aid materials.
| Course | Certification | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic First Aid with CPR & AED | 3 years | $95.00 | Crews of five or fewer |
| Intermediate First Aid with CPR & AED | 3 years | $145.00 | Crews of six or more |
| Intermediate First Aid, blended | 3 years | $140.00 | Experienced learners short on time |
Price
If you're comparing levels for a growing crew, you can book the Intermediate First Aid course with CPR and AED that satisfies the six-or-more requirement. The two-day format covers wounds, fractures, head and spine injuries, medical emergencies, and opioid poisoning awareness.
The blended version suits supervisors who can't lose two full days.
CPR, AED and the Skills Construction Crews Use Most
Cardiac arrest and severe bleeding are the two calls that matter most on a construction site, and both are trainable skills rather than theory. Our courses include CPR Level C at no extra cost.
What crews actually drill: check-call-care, choking response, bleeding control, CPR compressions, and AED pad placement.
An AED on site shortens the gap between collapse and defibrillation. If your site needs one, we supply a construction workplace safety kit with a hard case built to survive a site trailer.
First Aid Kit Contents Ontario Construction Sites Need
Construction sites need kits matched to crew size and hazard, and kits stored in trucks or trailers should be checked for degraded contents.
- CSA Type 2 Basic kits for smaller crews and lower-hazard sites
- CSA Type 3 Intermediate kits for larger crews and higher-risk work
- Regular checks of expiry dates on dressings, antiseptics, and eye wash
You can purchase a CSA Type 2 Basic large kit sized for a small crew, or step up to the CSA Type 3 Intermediate large kit if your site runs six or more workers. Restock on a schedule, not after an incident.
First Aid Training Renewal Frequency Ontario Employers Should Track
Certificates issued under the current WSIB program are listed as three-year certifications; confirm the expiry on each card. Track expiry dates by worker, not by course date, and set a reminder 60 days out so renewal never becomes an emergency.
The June 2026 rename does not extend or shorten any existing certificate. A card that says Standard First Aid remains valid until its printed expiry.
A simple spreadsheet with worker name, level, issue date, and expiry date covers most crews. Above 20 workers, assign the tracking to your safety lead.
How to Verify a Course Meets Ontario Requirements
Verification takes three checks. Ask whether the course is WSIB-approved, which certifying body backs it, and what the certificate states on its face.
- Confirm WSIB approval in writing before booking; ask for the approval reference or a copy of the approval letter, not just a website badge.
- Check the certifying body, such as the Canadian Red Cross or Heart & Stroke Foundation. The certifying body is the organization that sets the course content and issues the certificate, and its name should appear on the card.
- Confirm the certificate names the correct level under the current naming. Since the June 2026 WSIB rename, compliant cards read Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid; a card that still says Emergency or Standard First Aid issued before that date remains valid until its printed expiry.
- Ask for the course duration and compare it with the course description before booking.
- Check the CPR level on the certificate against the course description.
Training is offered in class or blended formats, and the approval and certifying body determine whether a course is compliant. A blended Intermediate course with eight hours online plus eight hours in class is one option.
Verify both the level and the certifying body before you pay for a crew booking.
Booking WSIB-Compliant Training for Your Crew
Booking is the easy part once you know your level. First Aid Plus offers Intermediate and Basic First Aid courses with CPR and AED. We're a Canadian veteran-owned provider in association with the Canadian Red Cross, Heart & Stroke Foundation, ITLS, and C-TECC, and we're an authorized ZOLL distributor for AEDs.
Getting a crew compliant is straightforward once you match the level to your shift headcount and keep expiry dates visible. First Aid Plus can train your team, supply CSA-graded kits and AEDs, and help you track renewals across every site. Get started with First Aid Plus and put a compliant, confident first aider on every shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of first aid is required for construction sites in Ontario?
Workplace first-aid requirements in Ontario scale with crew size. Confirm the current thresholds against the WSIB's official first aid materials before you plan coverage.
Does the WSIB require specific first aid training for construction workers?
Training should meet the workplace first-aid requirements set by the WSIB. First Aid Plus offers Intermediate First Aid with CPR and AED for $145.00, which covers the core skills plus opioid poisoning awareness.
How often do construction workers need to renew their first aid certification in Ontario?
Certificates for the listed Basic and Intermediate First Aid courses carry a three-year certification. Certificates issued before June 22, 2026 remain valid until their normal expiry date. Build renewal dates into your training records so a certificate does not lapse mid-project, and book refreshers a month or two ahead of expiry.
What must be included in an Ontario construction site first aid kit?
Construction sites need supplies for wounds, eye injuries and fractures rather than a household assortment. Check that dressings, bandages, scissors, gloves and a CPR barrier are present and in date. Assign one person to inspect kits regularly and replace anything expired.
Is online first aid training accepted by the WSIB in Ontario?
The blended approach includes online learning followed by in-person practical training. First Aid Plus runs a blended Intermediate First Aid course with 8 hours of online learning plus 8 hours of in-class practical training for $140.00. Confirm the delivery format before you enroll a crew.
