Workplace First Aid Kit Checklist: BC, AB & ON

Last updated: March 2026

An OHS inspector opens your first aid kit on site. There is a half-empty box of bandages, an expired cold pack from 2021, and no CPR pocket mask. The kit you bought three years ago from a hardware store was never designed for a construction site with 20 workers.

This happens more often than anyone admits. Contractors buy a first aid kit, throw it in the gang box, and forget about it until someone gets hurt or an inspector asks to see it. The problem is that first aid kit requirements are not generic. They vary by province, by the number of workers on site, and by the hazard level of your workplace.

Workplace first aid kit requirements in Canada are set by provincial regulations that reference CSA Z1220-17, the national standard for first aid kit contents. BC, Alberta, and Ontario each have their own rules for what must be in the kit, how many kits you need, and what size and type matches your workplace. This checklist covers the specific requirements for all three provinces so you can audit your current kits and know exactly what to add, replace, or upgrade to pass your next inspection or COR audit.

What Should Be in a Workplace First Aid Kit?

A workplace first aid kit must contain the specific supplies mandated by your provincial regulator for your workplace classification. There is no single universal list because requirements differ by province, hazard level, and crew size. A 5-person office has different kit requirements than a 30-person construction site.

That said, every compliant workplace first aid kit in Canada will include some version of these core items:

• Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• Sterile gauze pads (assorted sizes)
• Triangular bandages
• Roller bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes or solution
• Disposable gloves (non-latex)
• CPR pocket mask or barrier device
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Cold pack (instant)
• First aid manual or instruction card
• Blanket (emergency or wool)

Beyond these basics, your province adds specific requirements. Let us break it down.

British Columbia: WorkSafeBC First Aid Kit Requirements (2024 Update)

WorkSafeBC overhauled its first aid requirements effective November 1, 2024. The old system used specific kit type numbers. The new system uses a risk-based approach with three levels.

Your first step in BC is completing a workplace first aid assessment using WorkSafeBC's updated criteria. The assessment determines your risk level, which determines your kit requirements.

BC Level 1 Kit (Low Risk, Small Workplace)

For low-risk workplaces with fewer workers, close to medical facilities. Contents include basic wound care supplies, bandages, and a CPR barrier device.

BC Level 2 Kit (Moderate Risk)

For moderate-risk workplaces or larger crews. Expanded supplies including additional bandages, splinting materials, and an expanded wound care kit.

BC Level 3 Kit (High Risk, Large or Remote Workplace)

For high-risk workplaces, large crews, or remote sites. Full medical-grade supplies including oxygen equipment, IV supplies (where advanced first aid attendants are present), and comprehensive trauma supplies.

For the complete list of required items per level, refer to WorkSafeBC's OHS Regulation Schedule 3-A. The specific contents are detailed and must be followed exactly. Do not assume a generic "workplace first aid kit" from a supplier meets these requirements unless it explicitly states BC compliance with the 2024 regulations.

For a deeper look at BC requirements, read our BC first aid requirements guide.

Alberta: OHS Code First Aid Kit Requirements (CSA Z1220-17)

As of March 31, 2023, Alberta requires workplace first aid kits to meet the CSA Z1220-17 standard ("First aid kits for the workplace"). This national standard replaced the previous Alberta-specific kit specifications.

Alberta OHS Code Schedule 2 (Tables 4 to 7) determines what type and number of kits you need based on:

• Number of workers per shift
• Hazard level of the workplace (low, medium, high)
• Distance to the nearest hospital

CSA Z1220-17 Kit Types

For Alberta construction contractors, a Type 2 (Intermediate) or Type 3 (Advanced) kit is typical for most jobsites. Every work vehicle should carry at least a Type P (Personal) kit.

Ontario: WSIB Regulation 1101 First Aid Kit Requirements

Ontario uses WSIB Regulation 1101 to specify first aid kit contents. The regulation defines two main kit sizes:

First Aid Box (Small Workplace: 1 to 15 Workers)

• 1 card of safety pins
• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 set of tweezers
• 1 roll of adhesive tape (2.5 cm wide)
• 12 adhesive dressings (individually wrapped)
• 4 sterile gauze pads (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm)
• 2 rolls of gauze bandage (7.5 cm wide)
• 2 sterile surgical pads (individually wrapped)
• 2 triangular bandages
• 1 resuscitation pocket mask with one-way valve
• 4 pairs of disposable surgical gloves

First Aid Station (Larger Workplace: 16 to 200+ Workers)

Expanded quantities of all items above, plus additional bandages, a stretcher, blankets, and a first aid room requirement for larger sites.

Ontario's new AED requirement (effective January 1, 2026): Construction projects with 20 or more workers regularly employed and expected to run 3 months or more must now have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site under O. Reg. 157/25. If your Ontario construction project meets these criteria, add an AED to your first aid supplies.

How to Audit Your First Aid Kit Right Now

Use this checklist for a quick audit. Walk to your kit and check each item:

1. Is the kit accessible? Not locked in a truck. Not buried under tools. Not in a room that gets locked at night. Workers should be able to reach it within 2 minutes.
2. Are all required items present? Compare against your province's specific list. Missing items are a compliance gap.
3. Are supplies current? Check expiry dates on antiseptic wipes, cold packs, and any medications. Expired supplies are considered non-compliant.
4. Are gloves non-latex? Latex allergies are common. Use nitrile or vinyl gloves.
5. Is the CPR mask/barrier device present and sealed? This is one of the most commonly missing items.
6. Is there a first aid record book? Every time the kit is used, it should be documented. The record book should be kept with or near the kit. For more on documentation requirements, see our guide to first aid records and documentation.
7. Is the kit clearly marked? A white cross on a green background is the standard. Workers should be able to identify the kit location without being told.
8. How many kits do you need? Large sites, multi-floor buildings, and remote locations may require multiple kits. Check your provincial requirements for kit-to-worker ratios.

If your kit fails any of these checks, fix it today. Not tomorrow. Not "when the new supplies come in." An incomplete kit during an incident is a liability.

The Most Commonly Missing Items

After years of helping contractors get their safety programs audit-ready, here are the items that are almost always missing or expired:

• CPR pocket mask: Missing in roughly half the kits we audit. It is the single most important item for airway management and it is often forgotten because it is rarely used.
• Disposable gloves: Present but wrong type (latex instead of nitrile), or only one pair instead of the required four.
• Antiseptic wipes: Expired. They have a shelf life and nobody checks.
• Instant cold packs: Expired or already activated (the bag is soft instead of firm).
• Triangular bandages: Missing entirely. Workers use them for slings and immobilization, but they get taken and never replaced.
• First aid manual: Many provinces require a current first aid reference guide in the kit. An outdated manual from 2015 does not count.

The fix is simple: schedule a quarterly kit inspection. Add it to your safety inspection routine. Check every item against the provincial list, replace expired supplies, and restock anything that has been used.

If you want a systematic approach to safety inspections including first aid kit audits, Safety Evolution can build that into your safety program. Our clients get inspection checklists, automated reminders, and a digital record of every inspection.

Where to Buy Compliant First Aid Kits

Do not buy a generic first aid kit from a hardware store and assume it meets your provincial requirements. Purchase kits specifically labeled as compliant with your province's regulations:

• BC: Look for kits labeled "WorkSafeBC 2024 compliant" or "BC OHS Regulation Schedule 3-A." Major suppliers like Canadian Red Cross, First Aid Canada, and Canadian Safety Supplies carry these.
• Alberta: Look for "CSA Z1220-17 compliant" kits. The CSA standard is specific and clearly identifiable on compliant kits.
• Ontario: Look for "WSIB Regulation 1101 compliant" kits. Major safety suppliers carry Ontario-specific kits.

For the overall picture of what your workplace needs, read the complete guide to workplace first aid kit requirements.

If your last kit audit revealed more than two expired or missing items, schedule a full replacement rather than restocking piecemeal. Buying a new CSA-compliant kit of the correct type and size is often faster and more cost-effective than tracking down individual components, and it ensures you start with a complete, current inventory that matches your provincial requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions