| Topic: First Aid CSA standards – option to comply to newer editions | Issued by: Chief Compliance Officer |
| Statute: First Aid Regulation | Date Issued: January 2, 2025 |
| Section: 7(0.1)(a) & (b) | Date Revised: |
Question
The First Aid Regulation requires a first aid provider be trained to the CSA standard Z1210 First aid training for the workplace – Curriculum and quality management for training agencies, specifying the 2017 edition. In addition, the contents of first aid kits must comply with the 2017 edition of CSA Z1220 First aid kits for the workplace. In 2024, CSA published new editions of these two standards. Is it acceptable to provide training for first aid providers and to provide first aid kits that comply with the 2024 editions of the two standards?
Response
Yes, it is acceptable in New Brunswick for training agencies to train using the 2024 edition of CSA Z1210 First aid training for the workplace – Curriculum and quality management for training agencies. A comparison of the curriculum for basic and intermediate level training was conducted and determined that curriculums from 2017 and 2024 are similar for both basic and intermediate level training.
It is also acceptable in New Brunswick for suppliers to sell kits and for employers, in most instances, to have first aid kits that comply with the 2024 edition of the CSA standard Z1220 First aid kits for the workplace. A comparison was also conducted for the kit standards and the differences identified were minimal. The changes included additional first aid supplies in some types of kits and one first aid item was removed and replaced with a more commonly available item that did not change the safety aspect. One item, single-use antibiotic ointment, was removed from all types of kits, due to difficulties obtaining the ointment as well as the Internal Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) recommending the use of soap and water to cleanse a wound.
Single-use antibiotic ointment was moved to the optional list. If water and soap is not readily available to employees, the employer shall ensure that first aid kits, if equipped to the 2024 edition shall have single-use ointments to the 2017 edition added to the kit(s). For a personal kit, two single-use antibiotic ointments must be added. For basic and intermediate kits, add six to a small kit, 12 to a medium kit and 24 to a large kit.
Referenced Legislation
7(0.1) For the purposes of sections 7 to 13, standards for workplace first aid training and first aid kits are established by the adoption of the following standards:
(a) CSA Group standard Z1210-17 (R2021), First aid training for the workplace – Curriculum and quality management for training agencies; and
(b) CSA Group standard Z1220-17 (R2021), First aid kits for the workplace.