Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR California
If you run or manage a workplace in California — 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 California.
How many designated first-aiders?
No numeric first-aider ratio is imposed. Under Title 8, § 3400, in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician reasonably accessible, one or more persons must be adequately trained in first aid to a level equivalent to a recognized national standard. For construction, § 1512 requires 'a suitable number of appropriately trained persons' to render first aid, without setting a numeric ratio.
What the law requires in California
In California, workplace safety is governed by California Labor Code, Division 5 (California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973). The specific first aid requirements are set out in Cal. Code Regs., Title 8, § 3400 (Medical Services and First Aid); § 1512 (Emergency Medical Services — construction), administered by Cal/OSHA — Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
California operates its own occupational safety and health program covering both private and public sector workers.
Training requirements
Our first-aid and CPR courses are 100% online, lead to a certification, and are designed to meet and exceed these standards. A hybrid option is also available and fits many needs.
OSHA does not prohibit online training for the workplace requirement but recommends hands-on skills practice (practical demonstration) in its best-practices guidance (OSHA 3317). Grey zone: blended training with a practical skills assessment is accepted.
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.
