First Aid - Responsibilities of the employer

Can anyone shed a little light on the position taken with regards to the employer's responsibility for the cost for First Aid training of employees.
I find the OHSA can be interpreted in different ways, so i thought if anyone has an opinion to share, let's hear it.
Thanks
Carl Pedicelli

We pay for the first aid training for staff...

Issue 17:2 of Facility Forum magazine addresses the topic of financial cost of providing first aid training. Here is an excerpt

Q. I've looked over the OHSA and find that it can be interpreted differently depending on your view as to the financial obligation an employer has towards the cost associated with First Aid certification for existing staff. Can you help me understand what responsibilities the employer has?

A. To clarify the point of financial cost of first aid training to the employer we consulted with the WSIB. First Aid obligations are found under Regulation 1101. In short, we can ask to have the training as part of our hiring requirement but once they become our worker – the expense to maintain the training becomes the employers. The WSIB contact also stated that in a workplace as long as there is a mechanism in place for any worker to get “prompt” First Aid (2-minutes or less) then the employer must meet the obligation for trained First Aiders as set out in the Regulation. For example, a facility that has 4 workers only needs 1 First Aider on shift as long as the workers can get in touch with this person. This may be an item to consider as part of the Job Hazard Analysis process. Hope this helps!

The First Aid pamphlet which outlines the regulation can be downloaded from the WSIB website. www.wsib.on.ca Direct any questions about Regulation 1101 or the contents of the brochure to the WSIB Phone: (416) 344-1016 or toll-free 1-800-663-6639.

ORFA Facilities Librarian