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Canadian First-Aid Kit Requirements

First-aid kit requirements are federally governed in Canada. However, each of the provinces and territories creates policies and procedures for their respective regions regarding specific workplace safety. While specific policies and procedures vary by region, basic principles such as the existence of first-aid kits in workplaces are required across Canada. Factors including work environment, ambulance response time and number of employees are considered in mandating the proper first-aid kit in Canada.

  1. First-Aid Kit Basics

    • The basic Canadian first-aid kit is known as Kit A. These basic kits are required in settings of only two to five people. The further kit levels build upon the basic items found in Kit A. The items in first-aid Kit A are adhesive plastic bandages, triangular bandages, plastic scissors, adhesive tape, vinyl gloves, pad and pen, sterile gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, compress dressing, nonsterile gauze, self-adhesive gauze bandage, stainless steel forceps and a pocket mask.

    Office Environment

    • In an office setting with six or more employees and a maximum ambulance response time of less than two hours, first-aid Kit B is mandatory. In a similar environment with six or more employees but an ambulance response time of more than two hours, first-aid Kit C is required. The difference between the two kits is that Kit C has waterproof waste bags and combination dressings.

    Remote Environment

    • In a remote working environment with two or more employees, Kit C is required. This first-aid kit contains gauze, plastic bandages, wooden splints, vinyl gloves and more. In a remote work environment in which one employee works detached from the rest of the group, first-aid Kit D is required. Kit D requires waterproof tape and plastic adhesive strips in addition to the standard items. A group of one to three employees traveling by small vehicle other than a car, van or truck in a remote environment must also have Kit D.

    Other Environment

    • Other environments are those that do not qualify in either of the above requirements, remote or office. In an other environment with six or more employees and an ambulance response time of less than twenty minutes, Kit B is required. In an other environment with six or more employees and a response time of more than twenty minutes, first-aid Kit C is required.

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