Revisions to First Aid Regulations

Nova Scotia employers will soon have more flexibility in first aid training and delivery thanks to recent amendments to provincial First Aid Regulations.

Effective Sept. 3, the new regulations will give employers more choice and better options without compromising employee safety.

The first major revision means that any organization with federal approval to teach first aid will be considered qualified to teach in Nova Scotia. Under the previous regulations, only St. John Ambulance and the Canadian Red Cross Society were allowed to teach first aid.

A second revision means that employers such as stores in shopping malls will be permitted to share first aid services.

"Over 409,000 people go to work in this province every day," said Environment and Labour Minister David Morse. "These changes ensure our regulations are up-to-date and flexible with the needs of these Nova Scotians, and help employees and employers better manage and control their own health and safety in their workplaces."

Other significant revisions include lifting the restriction on administering medication, clarifying which costs for first aid training are paid by the employer, and allowing employers to record accidents in a way that best suits their operation.

The revised First Aid Regulations are based on recommendations from the public and labour and management representatives after a two-year review process. The regulations are part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and apply to anybody working in the province.

The current regulations and draft First Aid Regulations, which will be effective Sept. 3, can be accessed at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ohs .