Short answer: Ontario workplaces can meet their legal first aid kit obligation in one of two ways — by supplying a kit that meets Regulation 1101 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, or by supplying an equivalent kit that meets the CSA Z1220 standard. Since January 1, 2020, the WSIB has accepted CSA Z1220-compliant kits as an alternative to Regulation 1101. Regulation 1101 has not been repealed.

What Ontario law actually requires

Every Ontario employer covered by the WSIB must provide and maintain first aid equipment appropriate to the size of the workplace. The requirement scales with how many workers are on a shift, and the kit must be kept in a clearly identified, accessible location under the charge of a trained person.

There is a common misconception that CSA Z1220 “replaced” Regulation 1101. It did not. What changed in 2020 is that employers gained a choice: either meet the prescriptive contents list in Regulation 1101, or supply a CSA Z1220 kit, which meets or exceeds those requirements.

Option 1: Regulation 1101 kits

Regulation 1101 sets out specific kit contents by workplace size — Section 8 for workplaces with 1–5 workers, Section 9 for 6–15 workers, and Section 10 for 16 or more workers. These are prescriptive lists: the kit must contain the specified items in the specified quantities.

Option 2: CSA Z1220 kits

CSA Z1220 is the national standard for workplace first aid kits. Rather than sizing by headcount alone, it classifies kits by type (based on the work environment) and by size (based on the number of workers):

• Type 1 — Personal: for a single worker, typically carried by the individual
• Type 2 — Basic: for indoor, low-hazard workplaces
• Type 3 — Intermediate: for indoor and outdoor workplaces where emergency services are readily available
• Type 4 — Advanced: for remote or isolated workplaces with delayed access to emergency services

Sizes are then designated small, medium, or large according to the number of workers covered.

What changed in the CSA Z1220:24 edition

The 2024 second edition of the standard introduced several updates:

• Emergency blankets are now required in all kit levels, reflecting greater exposure risk for lone and remote workers
• Naloxone hydrochloride is identified as a potential specialized supply for workplaces with elevated opioid exposure risk
• Glucose is now referenced in multiple forms rather than tablets specifically
• Organizational and worker roles and responsibilities were added
• Optional contents were separated into “specialized” and “additional” categories

An important caveat for Ontario buyers: adoption of the 2024 edition into regulation is decided jurisdiction by jurisdiction. Quebec and Nova Scotia adopted it effective August 1, 2024. If you are purchasing specifically to satisfy an Ontario compliance obligation, confirm the current accepted edition with the WSIB or your health and safety representative before standardizing your kits.

Considerations for clinics and healthcare facilities

Healthcare settings have a nuance that general workplaces do not: the presence of clinical supplies on site does not satisfy the first aid kit requirement. The regulation contemplates a designated, stocked, inspected first aid kit — not the treatment inventory used for patient care. Clinics should maintain a compliant workplace kit for staff injuries, kept separate from patient-care stock and inspected on a regular schedule.

Multi-site operators should also confirm that each location is independently compliant for its own worker count, rather than relying on a single kit at a head office.

Frequently asked questions

Did CSA Z1220 replace Ontario Regulation 1101?

No. Regulation 1101 remains in force. Since January 1, 2020, the WSIB has accepted CSA Z1220-compliant kits as an equivalent alternative, giving employers a choice between the two.

Which option should an Ontario employer choose?

Either satisfies the legal requirement. CSA Z1220 kits are generally more current in their contents and are recognized nationally, which is useful for organizations operating in more than one province. Regulation 1101 kits remain fully acceptable in Ontario.

How often should a workplace first aid kit be inspected?

Kits should be checked regularly to confirm contents are complete, unexpired, and sterile packaging is intact. Many employers inspect quarterly and record the check.

Does a first aid kit need to be under someone’s charge?

Yes. Ontario requires the kit to be in the charge of a trained worker who holds a valid first aid certificate, and the certificate must be posted with the kit.

Sourcing compliant kits in Ontario

Medoptimal supplies CSA Z1220-compliant first aid kits and refills to clinics, workplaces, and healthcare facilities across Ontario, including Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Hamilton, and London. Kits are available by type and size, with refill components sold separately so you can restock without replacing the entire unit.

View first aid kits and refill options

This guide is general information for procurement planning and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm your specific obligations with the WSIB or a qualified health and safety professional.