Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Northwest Territories
If you run or manage a workplace in Northwest Territories — 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 Northwest Territories.
What the law requires in Northwest Territories
How many designated first-aiders?
The number and level of first aiders follow a risk assessment cross-referencing workers per shift and site remoteness (close/distant/isolated). In the NWT, work-site first aiders must hold an Intermediate or Advanced qualification. The remoteness of northern workplaces frequently raises the required service level.
As a Canadian province, Northwest Territories has its own occupational health and safety framework with jurisdiction over all workplaces.
Online training is recognized in the Northwest Territories; the practical portion of CSA levels is normally in person.
Region specifics
- The NWT and Nunavut share the WSCC, the only joint two-jurisdiction OHS body in Canada.
- Work-site first aiders must hold an Intermediate or Advanced level — a basic level alone generally does not suffice.
- CSA Z1210-17/Z1220-17 alignment took effect January 1, 2021; remoteness and isolation strongly affect the service level.
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 – 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.
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.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC — jointly with Nunavut).
The WSCC approves providers (CSA Z1210-compliant programs, instructors and delivery) and lists them on its website; only their certificates are accepted for compliance. A non-approved provider does not satisfy the requirement; its training only complements.
Visit the official site — Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC — jointly with Nunavut)