Nova Scotia Workplace First Aid Requirements Checklist
Nova Scotia Workplace First Aid Audit Tool â CSA Z1220-24
Nova Scotia Workplace First Aid Audit Tool
Workplace Health and Safety Regulations Part 4 (N.S. Reg. 43/2022) â CSA Z1220-24 Standard â All Workplace Types
SCAN TO RESTOCK
đ Welcome to the First Aid Direct Digital Audit Tool â Nova Scotia General Edition. This tool applies to all NS workplaces across all industries, including both offices and other workplaces. Use this interactive checklist on your device, or click print to generate a formatted paper log for your compliance records.
đ Nova Scotia uses CSA Z1220-24 â the updated 2024 standard. Effective August 1, 2024, all Nova Scotia workplaces must comply with the revised CSA Z1220-24 kit standard. Key changes: Type 2 Basic kits must now include an arterial tourniquet in all sizes; Type 1 Personal kits must now include an emergency blanket; antibiotic ointment is no longer a mandatory item in any kit type; and abdominal pad quantities have increased in larger Type 2 and Type 3 kits. See the official NS Z1220-24 addendum â
â ī¸ NS first aid requirements depend on three factors: workplace type, shift size, and distance to emergency services. Nova Scotia defines two workplace types: Office (administrative, professional, or clerical work only â no substantial physical exertion or hazardous exposures) and Other (all workplaces that are not offices). Distance categories are Close (â¤20 min to EMS), Distant (20â40 min), or Isolated (40+ min). Use the selector below to find your requirements. See the NS First Aid Guide for Employers â
Part A: General Workplace First Aid Requirements
Part B: Nova Scotia Administrative Requirements (All Workplaces)
Part C: Select your workplace details to verify kit count and first aider requirements
Requirements depend on your workplace type (office vs. other), distance to EMS, and maximum employees per shift. Complete all three steps below.
Step 1 â Workplace Type
Step 2 â Distance to Emergency Medical Services
Step 3 â Maximum Employees on Any One Shift
âī¸ Complete all three steps above to reveal your kit count, first aider certification level, and full CSA Z1220-24 contents checklist.
Missing Supplies? Don't fail your inspection.
Ensure your kit meets Nova Scotia's CSA Z1220-24 standard. Click below to order compliant first aid kits and restock supplies from First Aid Direct.
Understanding Nova Scotia Workplace First Aid Requirements
Nova Scotia workplace first aid is governed by Part 4 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (N.S. Reg. 43/2022), administered by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. The regulations reference two CSA standards on an "ambulatory" basis, meaning the latest version is automatically in force: CSA Z1220-24 for kit contents and CSA Z1210 for first aid training. Both new standards took effect in Nova Scotia on August 1, 2024, making NS the first Canadian province to enforce the updated Z1220-24 kit standard.
Nova Scotia classifies workplaces into two types â Office and Other â and three distance categories â Close (â¤20 min to EMS), Distant (20â40 min), and Isolated (40+ min). Kit count and first aider requirements depend on all three factors: workplace type, distance, and the maximum number of employees on any one shift. Offices generally have lower requirements at equivalent employee counts. Kit equivalency rules apply: 1 Medium kit equals 2 Small kits; 1 Large kit equals 4 Small kits. Isolated workplaces that are non-office environments may require Type 3 Intermediate kits in addition to Type 2 Basic kits.
Administrative obligations include keeping copies of all first aider certificates (valid up to 3 years), posting first aider contact information, maintaining confidential first aid incident records for 5 years, and having an emergency transportation plan. Employers must pay for first aider training and provide regular wages during training. Non-office workplaces with 200 or more employees on a single shift must also provide a dedicated first aid room meeting the requirements of Section 4.13 of the WHSR. Isolated workplaces generally require a written isolated workplace first aid plan. For full details, consult the NS First Aid Guide for Employers and First Aiders and the WHSR Part 4.
