Z1220-17

1.1 Purpose This Standard establishes the minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits. It is intended to be used by occupational health and safety (OHS) regulators, manufacturers and distributors of first aid kits, employers, and other interested workplace parties. Note: At the time of publication, workplace first aid legislation differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction in Canada. It is the user’s responsibility to determine how applicable legislative requirements relate to this Standard. 1.2 Inclusions This Standard provides the following requirements for workplace first aid kits: a) general requirements (Clause 4); b) specifications for a classification system for the kits and minimum requirements for the contents of the kits in accordance with their classification (Clause 5); c) requirements for the selection of workplace first aid kits for a workplace environment based on the number of workers at the workplace per shift (Clause 6); d) requirements for the workplace first aid kit container, including marking requirements (Clause 7); and e) requirements for the ongoing maintenance of the kits (Clause 8). Annexes A and B provide informative guidance on conducting a workplace first aid risk assessment to determine the level of workplace first aid services and equipment required in a particular workplace. Annex A also provides informative guidance on the selection of additional workplace first aid supplies and equipment to address special circumstances identified through the workplace first aid risk assessment. 1.3 Exclusions This Standard does not include a) requirements for first aid rooms or first aid stations; b) requirements for workplace first aid incident reporting and recording, which can be subject to federal, provincial, or territorial legislation or organizational policies; and c) specialized first aid supplies and equipment for particular environments (e.g., marine, mining, forestry, transportation, pools, school buses) where specific legislation could apply; and d) specific requirements for workplace first aid supplies and equipment for particular environments (e.g., marine, mining, forestry, transportation, pools, and school buses) where the authority having jurisdiction has specific legislation that applies to those specific workplaces. 1.4 Terminology In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 1.5 Units of measure The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.