Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Pennsylvania
If you run or manage a workplace in Pennsylvania — 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 Pennsylvania.
What the law requires in Pennsylvania
How many designated first-aiders?
No fixed first-aider-to-employee ratio. Under 29 CFR 1910.151(b), where no infirmary, clinic or hospital is in near proximity to the workplace for treating injured employees, the employer must ensure that a person or persons are adequately trained to render first aid, with adequate supplies readily available. OSHA guidance expects a trained responder or emergency medical services to reach a victim within 3-4 minutes for high-hazard operations (falls, electrocution, amputation) and within roughly 15 minutes for lower-hazard sites. The number of trained first-aiders is left to employer judgment based on workforce size, layout, shifts and hazard level.
Pennsylvania follows federal OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910.151). Employers must ensure a trained first aider is on-site or that a medical facility is reachable within 3-4 minutes.
OSHA does not prohibit online training. OSHA interpretation letters nevertheless favor training that includes a hands-on skills evaluation (CPR, bleeding control) for an employee to be considered 'adequately trained', so blended formats (online theory + practical component) are recommended. No explicit ban on the online format.
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.
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
WorkplaceFirst 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.
WorkplaceFirst Aider – General Public (8h)
This 8-hour training, designed for the general public, provides essential knowledge for effective emergency intervention. It is intended for anyone wanting to learn first aid skills, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), wound and bleeding management, or the handling of critical situations. Accessible and practical, this course develops vital skills for protecting and rescuing loved ones or anyone in danger, thereby strengthening community safety.