Everything You Need to Know About WSIB’s Summer 2026 First Aid Modernization Program for Ontario

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is modernizing Ontario’s workplace first aid program to improve safety, quality, and consistency of first-aid content across the province. Presently, the WSIB is in the process of summarizing the final list of approved training providers after conducting an exhaustive review of their respective training materials and delivery formats.

That said, this change is good news – especially considering the long pause on the provision of first-aid training in the province. Despite the launch of CSA Z1210 First Aid Training For The Workplace in 2017, in which WSIB participated, the implementation of the new standard is only just beginning, based on the 2024 edition. The reason for the nearly decade-long delay is unknown, but the introduction of standardized workplace first-aid training is a good sign.

Today’s blog from Act First Safety, Ontario’s most trusted provider of authentic certification courses, will focus on everything you need to know about this new first-aid modernization initiative. 

What’s Changing In First Aid in Ontario: Key Highlights

The new program from WSIB has brought about some welcome changes in the field of first aid in Ontario:

• New national standard: All first aid training will now align with the Canadian standard, CSA Z1210:24 First Aid Training For The Workplace — Curriculum and Quality Management for Training Agencies. This brings about consistency and ensures everyone will learn the same thing. 
   
• Modernized training approach: There is a greater focus now on improved curriculum, delivery, and quality assurance.
   
• New approved provider network: Under the new program, only WSIB-approved providers can deliver training and issue certificates.
   
• Updated course names: This is the most notable change for employers. Under the new program, course names have been revised to

Basic First Aid (replaces Emergency First Aid)
Intermediate First Aid (replaces Standard First Aid)

Introduction to an advanced training: Known as Advanced First Aid, this training includes:

o   Use of airway adjuncts to open and maintain airway
o   Preparation and administration of oxygen delivery
o   Management of musculoskeletal system injuries
o   Development of advanced skills in certain respiratory traumas and cardiovascular emergencies

In this article, we are going to focus primarily on basic first aid and intermediate first aid as these are the most in-demand courses from employers across the province.

What’s Staying The Same

Certain elements of the first aid program will continue as is. These include: 

• No change to Regulation 1101 requirements as legal first aid obligations remain the same.
• Current certificates remain valid until expiry.
• Employer responsibilities remain unchanged, including providing trained first aiders, equipment, and coverage.

What This Provincial Modernization Means For Employers

The tentative launch date of WSIB’s new program is June 2026. However, the official date is not out yet. Once it has been announced, though, employers who plan to schedule First Aid Training for their teams should ensure that they choose from the new list of approved training providers. 

While this shake-up may affect the vendor you may have used in the past, you can continue to use your current WSIB-approved training provider until the new program launches. As certifications expire, however, workers will have to renew their license under the updated program. Refresher training is a standard expectation for First Aid training – just like it is for other courses such as JHSC training, for example. 

Aligning First Aid Training With CSA Standards & OHSMS

One of the most exciting changes is the integration of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) principles into training. This is in alignment with other CSA Standards and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems like COR® and ISO 45001 that are becoming increasingly common in the marketplace. OHS-related topics that will be a part of the First Aid Training modernization exercise include:

• The role of the workplace first-aider
• Definition of hazards and risks
• Principles of hazard identification, risk assessment, control processes, and implementation within the workplace
• Safety data sheets (SDSs) as a source of information for workplace First Aid treatment
• Role of the workplace first aider in an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS)
• Principles of OHS legislation (e.g., acts, regulations, codes) relevant to the jurisdiction

These inclusions combined will bring clarity about the duties, roles and responsibilities of the first-aider while educating course takers about several relevant safety concerns in the workplace. 

Course content

As far as course content is concerned, the core topics covered in Basic and Intermediate First Aid training can be broken down as follows:

Basic First Aid

• Recognize an injury or illness
• Call and inform emergency medical services (EMS/911)
• Provide first aid to the patient based on the knowledge acquired while adhering to the regulations mentioned in CSA Z1210:24

Intermediate First Aid 

This course includes the content covered in Basic First Aid, along with: 

• Additional abilities involved in workplace first aid
  •      ie. Types of shock, injuries to ear, eye and nose, musculoskeletal injuries, poison and diabetic emergencies, environmental illness/injury, types of strokes, transportation care and triage and more.

The CSA Z1210:24 lists specific topics that WSIB-approved training providers must cover in their courses.

Why It Matters

This change to First Aid Training content and delivery in Ontario is important because it:

• Aligns Ontario with current Canadian best practices
• Improves training quality and consistency
• Helps create safer workplaces and better emergency response

In addition, the First Aid Modernization Program is complemented by CSA Z1220 – a standard that sets guidelines for workplace first aid kits and their contents.

Conclusion

In summary, the new changes to First Aid Training content and delivery are a welcome shift. To recap, the most noticeable update involves changes to course titles and the integration of holistic safety into first-aid training. This is a sensible move as more workplaces adopt OHSMS as the foundation of their safety culture. This evolution makes WSIB’s First Aid Modernization Program highly appropriate for the agency's future-thinking goals.

Looking for other safety programs till WSIB releases its approved list of training providers? Act First Safety provides several training courses geared at protecting employees in Ontario workplaces. From asbestos training to JHSC training – we teach multiple courses at our facility located near Highway 401. Contact us to find the most appropriate programs for your team. 

FAQs

Will online-only first aid training still be accepted under the new WSIB program?

As per the new framework that has been developed in alignment with CSA Z1210:24, hands-on training will be required to earn certification. 

How often will first aid certifications need to be renewed under the updated program?

The timeline for refresher courses has not changed. Re-training will be required as soon as the previous certification expires. 

What happens if an employer uses a non-approved training provider after the new program launches?

Failure to receive First Aid Training from a WSIB-approved provider will result in non-compliance, thus invalidating said training.