Quebec First Aid Kit Contents Requirements for Workplace Regulation Compliance

Question 1

Who Needs a Regulation First Aid Kit in Quebec?

All businesses with employees operating in Quebec are required by law to have at a minimum one regulation First Aid Kit at their employees' place of work. Autonomous Workers are not explicitly mentioned in the law but may be required by other regulations to have their own First Aid Kit, and are usually considered to be workers by the regulatory body CNESST (formerly CSST).

Question 2

What Will Happen if my Quebec Business Does Not Have a Regulation First Aid Kit?

The CNESST (Commission des Normes, de l'Équité, de la Santé et de la Sécurite du Travail du Quebec, formerly CSST) inspects businesses and can impose sanctions (fines, suspension of work or closure of workplace) on any business that is not fully compliant with all applicable safety regulations. If someone is seriously injured or dies in your employ or at your place of business, a CNESST or a Coroner's investigation may take place in part to apportion blame and impose sanctions.

Question 3

How Many First Aid Kits Does my Quebec Business Need?

Every business operating in Quebec needs at least 1 regulation First Aid Kit near your first 50 workers at every location where they work and an "adequate" number in total (usually determined by your Workplace Health and Safety Committee), and for each vehicle intended solely for worker transportation, and for any vehicle which can carry 5 workers or more, more than 30 minutes from a medical service. All other commercial vehicles must carry a Regulation First Aid Vehicle Kit. 'Near' means within 5 minutes' travel of your First Aid Kit or Station.

Question 4

What's In a Regulation Quebec First Aid Kit?

The standard Quebec Regulation First Aid Kit must contain at all times a minimum: a first-aid manual approved by the CNESST; the following instruments: 1 pair bandage scissors, 1 pair splinter forceps, 12 safety pins (assorted sizes); the following dressings (or equivalent sizes): 25 sterile bandages (25 mm × 75 mm) individually wrapped, 25 sterile gauze squares (101.6 mm × 101.6 mm) individually wrapped, 4 rolls sterile gauze bandage (50 mm × 9 m) individually wrapped, 4 rolls sterile gauze bandage (101.6 mm × 9 m) individually wrapped, 6 triangular bandages, 4 sterile bandage compresses (101.6 mm × 101.6 mm) individually wrapped, 1 roll adhesive tape (25 mm × 9 m); antiseptics: 25 alcohol swabs individually wrapped.

Question 5

What Quebec First Aid Regulations Must I Comply With?

The Quebec laws governing Employees and workplace safety are the ACT RESPECTING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES (LATMP ch. A-3.001) and the ACT RESPECTING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (LSST ch. S-2.1) and their annexes and ammendments, as well as the regulations of the Commission des Normes, de l'Équité, de la Santé et de la Sécurité du Travail (CNESST, formerly CSST). Other or additional laws and regulations apply to areas under Federal control, such as waterways, airports, reservations, to specific industries like mining and activities like boating, to employers' associations, to union associations, to job-site committees, and to Workplace Health and Safety Committees. First Aid to non-employees including Good Samaritan obligations fall under the provisions of the Quebec Civil Code and the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms of Quebec (CDPDJ).

Question 6

I Have a Quebec Regulation First Aid Kit; Does This Mean I Am Compliant With All Quebec Regulations On First Aid?

No. Your First Aid Kit must be clean, in good order, complete, accessible, available at all times, there must be an adequate number thereof, and perishable items must be in date. If you have more than 100 workers, you must in addition keep a First Aid Room with a table and 2 chairs, a stretcher, soap & a nail brush, and paper towels. Additional requirements may apply.

Question 7

What Other First Aid Regulations May Apply to my Quebec Business?

You have a legal obligation to render assistance to anyone whose life is in peril, unless this would endanger you or your workers' life (CDPDJ). Therefore you can reasonably be expected to render First Aid to injured members of the public present in places under your control. What specific measures and equipment you can be expected or required to keep on hand will depend on your circumstances and legal precedents. You are also required to comply with all applicable safety requirements should you handle hazardous materials, for example keep eyewash stations (CCOHS and CNESST). There are also industry-specific required First Aid Kit components, such as blue metal detectable adhesive bandages used in the Food industry.

Question 8

Do I Need a First Aid Kit for Each Location my Quebec Employees Work?

Yes. You need to provide adequate First Aid Kits at each and every place where you have workers, easily accessible. You should ensure your workers will not have to travel more than 5 minutes to reach First Aid.

Question 9

When Counting Employees for the Purposes of Quebec Regulations, Must I include Subcontractors? Customers?

On Construction Sites the principal contractor is required to keep First Aid Kits or Rooms as required for all workers present on site. If you hire autonomous workers or use an employment agency, you must count those workers. You are not required to count members of the public (ex: clients) but you are required to render them First Aid should they need emergency assistance (Good Samaritan law) and should take their numbers into consideration when determining the "adequate" content and number of First Aid Kits.

Question 10

Am I Still Compliant With Quebec Regulations if I Have Previously Purchased a Quebec Regulation First Aid Kit?

Current Quebec regulations date to 1985. You should replace your First Aid Kit if it is older. Many required components of a First Aid Kit do expire, even those without a printed expiry date such as adhesive bandages and gloves; we recommend you purchase a First Aid Kit Quebec Refill every 2 years or sooner and discard the replaced components that may have lost their effectiveness or may no longer be sterile. Additionally, if you use any components from a minimum requirements First Aid Kit, it will no longer be adequate. We recommend a more complete First Aid Station if this could be an issue.

Question 11

Do First Aid Kits Have an Expiry Date?

Generally no. First Aid Kits are non-perishable Class 1 Medical Devices regulated by Health Canada. Perishable individual components, also Class 1 devices, must be discarded and replaced when they are past their expiry date. We recommend you purchase the applicable First Aid Kit Quebec Refill every 2 years or sooner if you have frequent workplace incidents.

Question 12

Is the First Aid Kit I Bought From a Store Compliant With Quebec First Aid Regulations for Businesses?

Most First Aid Kits sold in retail establishments in Quebec are intended for Home use and do not meet the minimum requirements for a business. You may purchase the missing components individually and add them yourself. Some retailers do sell regulation First Aid Kits, but ultimately you are responsible for your business and must verify that you comply with ALL applicable regulations and that all components are fresh and in date and approved by Health Canada.

Question 13

Is the First Aid Kit I Purchased From Abroad Compliant With Health Canada and Quebec First Aid Regulations?

No. First Aid Kits are Class 1 medical devices regulated by Health Canada, as are most components. Manufacturers of Class 1 medical devices are required to keep extensive records that are accessed by Health Canada to ensure public safety and enable recalls; First Aid Kits manufactured abroad are not regulation unless imported by a licensed facility that ensures Health Canada compliance. Canadian Safety Supplies uses a licensed in-house manufacturer of medical devices, and all imported products we sell are fully compliant with Health Canada regulations.

Question 14

I Have Used Items From my Quebec Regulation First Aid Kit, Must I Purchase a New Kit?

You are required to keep your first aid kit up to date. It must always meet the regulation minimum requirements. If you use components you must replace them as needed or purchase a First Aid Kit Quebec Refill. You must replace your First Aid Kit if it is dirty or otherwise not in good condition. A more complete First Aid Station will continue to meet minimum requirements even with occasional use. A First Aid Room must maintain adequate stock and should be inspected and replenished on a regular schedule.

Question 15

I Operate a Truck on Quebec Roads, Which First Aid Kit Do I Need?

Trucks and other commercial vehicles operating in Quebec require a regulation Quebec First Aid Vehicle Kit, or a regulation Quebec First Aid Kit if the vehicle can carry 5 or more workers more than 30 minutes from a medical service or is used solely for worker transport, except Federally-regulated (extra-provincial) motor carriers and commercial vehicles which require the applicable Federal First Aid Kit.

Question 16

I Operate a Vessel in Quebec Waters, Which First Aid Kit Do I Need?

Small Commercial Vessels operating in Quebec waters require the appropriate Federal Marine First Aid Kit unless they can transport 5 or more workers more than 30 minutes from a medical service in which case they must also meet the requirements for a regulation Quebec First Aid Kit and any applicable CNESST and workplace or health and safety committee requirements. This kit must include a resuscitation face shield and 2 pairs of examination gloves, and must be in a water-tight container.

Question 17

What Does 'Bulk' vs. 'Unitized' Mean For a Regulation First Aid Kit?

Bulk-packed First Aid Kits are shipped with the contents of each Kit either loose or in a plastic bag. A Unitized First Aid Kit is shipped with each component packed inside the Kit in an individual box or sealed bag with an identifying label, for example 25 sealed bandages would be together in bag placed in a compartment and identified with a sticker. A Unitized First Aid Kit is easy to verify for compliance with minimum regulations, and in an emergency it is easy to find a component named in an instruction manual, even for workers unfamiliar with First Aid products and procedures.

Question 18

Do I Need A Metal or Plastic Box or Nylon Bag First Aid Kit for My Quebec Business?

Quebec Laws do not specify the size or type of First Aid Kit box or container, only that it must be accessible, clean, and in good condition. We recommend Plastic or Metal where it is to be wall-mounted, Nylon Bag is usually adequate for Vehicles or where the First Aid Kit is stored in a cabinet. First Aid Stations and Unitized First Aid Kits should be Plastic or Metal. Sealed Boxes are available for dirty or wet environments.

Question 19

May I Customize My First Aid Kit With My Company Name Or Logo? What Must Be On A Quebec Regulation First Aid Kit?

Quebec regulations do not specify what a First Aid Kit should look like. Accessible means it should be recognizable as a First Aid Kit, either with the international symbol (green with white cross) or bilingual French & English text. Canadian Safety Supplies will customize your First Aid Kits with your artwork for a one-time setup fee of $60, and will keep your screen for a reasonable time as requested by you. We can supply you with custom First Aid, Pet, or Survival Kits through our promotional division; please contact us to discuss your needs.

Question 20

Am I Required To, or May I, Keep an Automatic Defibrillator, CPR Kit, Manual Resuscitator or Other Device at my Quebec Business?

These devices are not part of the minimum requirements for Quebec workplaces, however they are approved by Health Canada and may be incorporated into the requirements of employers' associations, union associations, job-site committees, and Workplace Health and Safety Committees, or they may be required by CNESST following an evaluation of your business or industry. Access to defibrillation and CPR within 1 to 3 minutes of a cardiac arrest can increase chances of survival by 75% or more, and these devices should be considered for your First Aid Station or Room if there is a reasonable chance they could be needed, whether for a worker or a member of the public in your care. Health Canada is working to place these devices in many public locations across Canada because they save lives. These devices will soon be required in all public spaces, and you could face a lawsuit if you do not have an AED or CPR kit and a predictable event occurs.