Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Alberta
If you run or manage a workplace in Alberta — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.
An employer duty — to rescue a colleague
Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Alberta.
What the law requires in Alberta
How many designated first-aiders?
Schedule 2 cross-references three variables: hazard level (low/medium/high), workers per shift, and distance to medical care (close ≤20 min, distant 20-40 min, isolated >40 min). The tables then set the number and level of first aiders (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, advanced-care paramedic or nurse). One first aider from 2 workers up; requirements rise with headcount, hazard and remoteness.
As a Canadian province, Alberta has its own occupational health and safety framework with jurisdiction over all workplaces.
Online training is recognized in Alberta; the practical portion of CSA levels is normally in person (blended format accepted).
Region specifics
- Since March 31, 2023, Alberta fully adopted CSA Z1210-17 and Z1220-17; the former Emergency/Standard/Advanced labels became Basic/Intermediate/Advanced.
- The three hazard levels × three distance categories (close/distant/isolated) create a particularly detailed sizing matrix.
- Recertification is available before expiry; after expiry, the full course must be retaken.
Why it matters
A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.
Is this really what you're looking for?
Our first-aid and CPR courses are 100% online, lead to a recognized certification, and exceed the required standards; a hybrid option is also available and fits most needs. Choose the course that fits your situation:
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Intermediate Level (16h) – CSA Z1210-17 Compliant
Upon successful completion of this 16-hour IN-PERSON intermediate-level first aid training, the candidate will receive a valid certification that meets the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Healthcare Professional (16h) - Compliant with CSA Z1210-17
This 16-hour first aid training, compliant with the CSA Z1210-17 standard, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Upon completion, the candidate will receive a certification valid for two years, meeting the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard. Skills will be updated annually, and the training must be renewed every two years to maintain active certification. Tailored for nurses, it strengthens the safety of residents in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Immigration).
Employers must ensure first aiders complete training from an Alberta OHS-approved agency (published government list), and any instructor must be certified by an approved agency. A non-approved provider cannot issue a valid certificate.